Boreal Ventures launches second seed fund with $43-million first close
Ex-Lightspeed head JD Saint-Martin takes over as co-managing partner as Montréal VC aims to raise $60 million.
Funding
Feds commit nearly $225 million to advance Canada’s sovereign space launch capabilities
Ottawa bets on Canadian rocket launches with $200-million Canso spaceport deal and more for new grants.
Paving the way for a Canadian defence-tech boom
Plus: BetaKit Most Ambitious returns on May 25.
University of Calgary researchers use AI to hunt new treatments for cattle parasites
Team secures $1.4-million NSERC grant for further development and validation.
Femtum thinks its semiconductor cutting lasers are better than yours
Québec startup raises $16 million to get its “practical” lasers inside more semiconductor manufacturers.
Gumloop sticks $50-million USD Series B round to let employees build their own AI agents
Despite leaving for San Francisco last year, Gumloop wants to rebuild its Canadian presence.
BDC expands Defence Platform to $6 billion and names a StrongNorth Fund leader
Feds inject $1.2 billion more into BDC’s strategy to help SMBs seize defence opportunities.
Xanadu in talks with government over potential $390 million for domestic quantum manufacturing
Project OPTIMISM would “significantly advance” company’s roadmap toward utility-scale quantum computing.
Alan raises fresh funding as it entrenches in Canada
French Insurtech firm raises 100 million euros to continue international expansion.
Ottawa gives NRC $900 million for drone innovation hub and defence-focused IRAP stream
Commitment comes through $6.6-billion Defence Industrial Strategy.
Janet Bannister’s Staircase Ventures closes $50-million second fund
BDC Capital, University of Alberta, InBC join early-stage Toronto VC firm’s LP base.
Dominion Dynamics says it will invest $50 million to build a “sovereign autonomous wingman”
Uncrewed aircraft will be designed to fly alongside crewed fighters.
UniUni raises $85 million USD as it scales gig-powered delivery across North America
Beijing-based PE firm leads $30-million equity round, with RBC providing $55-million credit facility.
CVCA and NACO offer competing visions for feds’ $750-million venture envelope
NACO points to early-stage gaps, while CVCA wants capital committed to growth.
Ottawa puts $8.5 million behind 40 Atlantic Canadian AI projects
Evan Solomon announces support for Université de Moncton, Volta Labs, Digital Nova Scotia, and others.