Startupfest doubles down on diversity commitment, announces return of HardtechFest and OceanFest
Montréal-based tech conference offering 90-percent ticket discounts for women and diverse founders.
Impact
Non-profit organizations receive nearly $40 million as part of latest AI-focused CanCode program
Federal funding aims to support 22 orgs teach coding, data analytics, and AI skills to 1.5 million students.
DEI rollback is the “wrong direction for Canada,” open letter says
Over 350 tech signatories express support for “Canadian values” of equity and inclusion.
Black merchants disheartened after Shopify guts another Equitable Commerce program
Following end of Build Native, access to Build Black Slack channel locked at start of Black History Month.
Tribe Network among second round of federal 2SLGBTQI+ Ecosystem Fund recipients
Latest round deals $2.8 million across 12 groups and strengthens program support in Northern and Atlantic regions.
Reliant on US materials and production, Canadian consumer goods startups could be caught in trade war crossfire
Pet food company Healthybud says Canada’s retaliatory tariffs will take a bigger bite out of its margins.
Startup support networks ventureLAB and The Firehood appoint new leaders
The Firehood gains new executive director while ventureLAB selects head of medtech initiatives.
Boardy partners with Diversio in effort to make its AI more inclusive following email backlash
AI “superconnector” that sent unsolicited messages about users’ looks will now undergo inclusivity training.
QueerTech launches new 2SLGBTQIA+ accelerator and names Virtual Gurus’ Bobbie Racette board chair
The program launch follows QueerTech’s acquisition of Gradient Spaces last year.
The51 holds $51-million final close for Food and AgTech Fund amid challenging venture market
ATB Financial contributed the final dollar to the fund that has been raising since 2021.
Canadian tech advocates join movement to free social media feeds from billionaire control
Element AI co-founder, Mozilla Foundation president part of Free Our Feeds fundraising campaign.
Four new Canadian tech announcements in the Fall Economic Statement that shouldn’t be overlooked
BDC AI funding, procurement reform, money for Black entrepreneurs might have been missed in yesterday’s chaos.
Realize Capital Partners reveals second round of support for impact-focused funds
Backed by Social Finance Fund, Realize’s latest investments include Amplify, Misfit, and Thrive Impact.
Benevity reports over $140 million donated through its platform this Giving Tuesday
Calgary company sees dip in total donations, but rise in volunteering compared to 2023.
Firestarter program goes national with funding from BDC Thrive Lab
Following Atlantic Canada pilot, program supporting women-led startups will host first cohort in early 2025.