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CDPQ invests $100 million CAD in AppDirect channel partner program (BETAKIT)
AppDirect has announced a new $100 million CAD commitment from Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) to support the growth of channel partners using its subscription commerce platform. CDPQ previously led AppDirect’s $185 million USD September 2020 funding round.
How Shopify outfoxed Amazon to become the everywhere store (BNN BLOOMBERG)
Last February e-commerce company Shopify Inc. replaced the “Ottawa, Canada” dateline that began its press releases and earnings reports with a strange new one: “Internet, Everywhere.”
Findings in SVB’s global healthtech report mirror 2021 trends in Canada (BETAKIT)
A new report from Silicon Valley Bank has identified key insights within the global healthtech landscape from 2021.
Walmart expands its direct-to-fridge InHome delivery service to 30 million homes (CNBC)
InHome allows employees wearing cameras to enter a customer’s home to deliver groceries and other purchases or to pick up returns, even when the customer is not there.
BuildDirect appoints David Lazar as interim CEO as former chief exec Dan Park joins Imperfect Foods (BETAKIT)
Lazar replaces former BuildDirect CEO Dan Park, who transitioned to the role of board chair on December 31.
Carsome raises $300 million from Temasek-backed funds, QIA (BNN BLOOMBERG)
Carsome started gauging investor interest in November and was seeking to raise about $200 million, Bloomberg News reported at the time.
Hybrid workers are vulnerable to cyberattacks. Here’s how employees can play defence at home and in the office (BETAKIT)
Andrew Milne of cybersecurity analytics company Field Effect explains how employees can partner with their employers to keep sensitive information secure.
Indian e-commerce Udaan raises $250 million (TECHCRUNCH)
The Bengaluru-headquartered startup has raised $200 million via a convertible note and an additional $50 million as debt, its chief financial officer Aditya Pande told employees in an internal email, seen by TechCrunch.
Weedbox acquires ecommerce tech provider Goodtimes (BETAKIT)
According to TokeText, the acquisition will see the addition of its proprietary instant-purchase shopping technology to the suite of consumer-focused features powered by Goodtimes’ iOS, Android, and web ecommerce platforms.
Meal kits went mainstream during COVID — but is it a food fad or the new normal? (CBC)
Ready-to-make meal kits surged in popularity when COVID-19 hit, as more Canadians had to rely on their own cooking for sustenance. But it’s unclear whether those new habits will stick.
Why Benevity’s new CEO Kelly Schmitt is already thinking about her successor (BETAKIT)
On the #CIBCInnovationEconomy podcast, Benevity CEO Kelly Schmitt explains why she was already thinking about identifying her successor six months into the job.
Reliance Retail backs Dunzo in $240 million funding (TECHCRUNCH)
Reliance Retail is investing $200 million in the round for a 25.8% stake in the six-year-old startup, which operates an eponymous hyper-local delivery service in seven cities in India.
Marlow brings innovative D2C menstrual product to market (BETAKIT)
Marlow’s key differentiator in the tampon market is that its product is sold in tandem with a bottle of lubricant.
Google infringed on Sonos speaker technology, trade court rules (NEW YORK TIMES)
The company will not be allowed to import products that infringe on Sonos patents, including smart speakers, video streaming devices, and some computers and phones.