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Real estate auction platform Unreserved files $25 million lawsuit against real estate associations (BETAKIT)
Unreserved is suing the Canadian Real Estate Association, the Ontario Real Estate Association, the Ottawa Real Estate Board, and Penny Torontow, president of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The startup is contending that the organizations as well as Torontow and Tim Hudak, CEO of the Ontario Real Estate Association, defamed the company through statements published on YouTube and in the Ottawa Citizen, respectively. These allegations have not been proven in a court of law.
Apple Plans to Slow Hiring and Spending for Some Teams Next Year (BNN BLOOMBERG)
The decision stems from a move to be more careful during uncertain times, though it isn’t a companywide policy, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the deliberations are private. The changes won’t affect all teams, and Apple is still planning an aggressive product launch schedule in 2023 that includes a mixed-reality headset, its first major new category since 2015.
Shopify launches YouTube Shopping integration in latest social commerce push (BETAKIT)
With the launch of YouTube Shopping, Shopify businesses can sell their full product suite on YouTube via livesteams, videos, and through a new store tab that will be added to the vendor’s YouTube channel. An earlier version of this new feature was initially reported in 2020. Since Shopify functions as the business’ retail operating system, product details such as names, images, pricing, and shipping are kept up-to-date across channels.
Uber Eats, DoorDash Offer New Deals to Court Customers as Growth Cools (THE WALL STREET JOURNAL)
With their shares tumbling and expansion cooling, DoorDash Inc. DASH and Uber Eats have been offering new ads and deals to attract customers, tweaking their apps to trigger more spending and moving beyond food to give people more reasons to return. They are also trying to keep restaurants from ratcheting up delivery prices while offering them new services.
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Whatnot’s valuation doubles to $3.7B as livestream shopping gains popularity in US (TECHCRUNCH)
Whatnot intends to use the capital infusion to continue developing its in-app live and social commerce marketplace and roll out additional categories for collectors, including diecast cars, stamps and action figures.
Lightspeed expands systems integration with OpenTable (BETAKIT)
This integration is set to enable Lightspeed and OpenTable’s systems to communicate in real-time with a single platform. Users will be provided with insights to better understand diner behaviour and spending, as well as updates on table status.
Check out these Canadian tech venture funding reports for Q2:
Business groups, Tories seek changes to Canadian tax system after Amazon findings (THE GLOBE AND MAIL)
The federal Conservatives and industry groups representing Canada’s small businesses and technology sector are calling for changes to the tax system that for years allowed Amazon.com Inc. to book its Canadian retail profits in the U.S., minimizing its exposure to corporate taxation here.
Why now is the time for Canadian startups to hire internationally (BETAKIT)
Whether by adding remote employees or helping them relocate to Canada, accessing global talent can help fill the widening talent gap we face as Canada’s tech ambitions get bigger.
“They want to feel safe that they can stay in this country,” says Feruza Djamalova, the co-founder of Sobirovs Law Firm, a boutique business immigration law firm based in Toronto.
Instacart’s co-founder Apoorva Mehta checks out (TECHCRUNCH)
“Since I transitioned from CEO to Executive Chairman a year ago, I realized that I want to pursue a new mission and I want to do it with the same singular focus that I had while building Instacart,” Instacart co-founder Apoorva Mehta wrote on Twitter. “Stepping off the board will allow me to do just that.”
Blume secures $2 million CAD to scale latte replacement product (BETAKIT)
Co-founded by Karen Danudjaja and Ella Dalling in 2017, Blume offers a coffee replacement product line that remakes the traditional lattes with superfoods. The company touts its offering as locally made, and with 100 percent natural and organic ingredients such as turmeric, reishi, and others.
Casavo houses €400 million in new funding round, sets sights on France (TECH.EU)
Now turning its focus towards France, the €100 million equity portion was led by Exor, while €300 million is provided in the form of debt funding via Intesa Sanpaolo, Viola Credit, and “other leading institutional lenders”, one of whom chose not to be named in the 11th hour.
Tech-enabled fulfillment company Darwynn closes $20 million pre-seed round (BETAKIT)
Darwynn said its storage solution uses robotic shuttles to travel independently from each storage level, riding on narrow rails. The startup said these robots are able to retrieve stored items at high speeds, ranging from 200 to 700 lines per hour.
Seattle real estate startup Flyhomes cuts 20% of staff, citing ‘uncertain economic conditions’ (GEEKWIRE)
Tech firms across various industries are laying off employees or freezing hiring as a way to curb expenses amid the current downturn. Rising interest rates are affecting U.S. home sales, which has forced real estate companies such as Flyhomes and others to trim headcount.
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