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Pinterest opening first Canadian office in Toronto (BETAKIT)
In the past month, several high-profile tech companies have announced expansions into the city.
DMS Recommends: Microsoft Canada – In Support of Small Business Month (DIGITALMAINSTREET)
With the support of numerous Boards of Trade, Chambers of Commerce, professional associations and groups plus their 7 retail stores, Microsoft will hold business self-defense events across the country this October—all designed to help raise awareness of digital threats and teach businesses how to defend themselves from harm.
Vahdam Teas raises US$2.5M in Series B funding (FINSMES)
Vahdam Teas makes premium garden fresh tea available to consumers across the world by leveraging technology, cutting out the middlemen and launching innovative packaging formats.
Former Shopify employees raise $20 million CAD for insurtech startup Cover (BETAKIT)
The US-based company is planning a Canadian expansion.
Walgreens takes a minority stake in Birchbox, which will now come to its stores (TECHCRUNCH)
Walgreens has entered into a strategic partnership with beauty-in-a-box startup Birchbox, which will involve building Birchbox experiences inside Walgreens’ stores so customers can shop and try new brands.
Walmart plans to acquire plus-sized fashion startup Eloquii for $100 million (VOX)
Eloquii CEO Mariah Chase and her 100 employees will join Walmart’s e-commerce division and report to its head of digital consumer brands Andy Dunn, who sold his menswear brand Bonobos to Walmart last year for $310 million.
I spent 53 minutes in Amazon Go and saw the future of retail (CNN)
“If you want to glimpse the future of retail, check out an Amazon Go store.”
Salesforce acquires Rebel, maker of ‘interactive’ email services, to expand its Marketing Cloud (TECHCRUNCH)
Rebel develops interactive email services for businesses to enhance their direct marketing services: recipients of interactive emails can write reviews, shop and take other actions without leaving the messages to do so.
Facebook Marketplace celebrates two years; launches AI price suggestions, categories
(MOBILESYRUP)
Marketplace’s new AI features are designed to streamline the buying and selling process.
Apple Wallet will support college student ID cards (MASHABLE)
Apple is launching a pilot program with three universities to support student ID cards in Apple Wallet. Students will be able to do things like access dorms or pay for cafeteria meals holding their iPhones or Apple Watches above card readers.
Deliverr raises $7M to help e-commerce businesses compete with Amazon Prime (TECHCRUNCH)
The funding was led by Joe Lonsdale’s 8VC, with participation from Zola founder Shan-Lyn Ma, Flexport chief executive officer Ryan Peterson and others.
OMERS Ventures releases talent playbook for scaling companies (BETAKIT)
The guide includes an overview of the challenges faced by different stages of companies, and how to overcome them.