Evol receives nearly $10 million from Canadian Economic Development to support diverse Québec entrepreneurs
Diverse businesses are 70 percent more likely to break into new markets.
Impact
Mila, UNESCO warn against use of AI in “harmful contexts” in joint book on AI governance
Joint book addresses lack of accountability, transparency in AI training models.
BDC appoints Sévrine Labelle as head of $100 million Thrive Lab for women entrepreneurs
Thrive Lab is set to launch this spring.
Firehood hands out $100,000 in prizes as the DMZ, CVCA announce women of year awards
Apricotton, Areto Labs, PragmaClin secure $100,000 in total prize money from pitch competition.
Generative AI will test what’s worse: biased data or user bad faith
Is AI ready for users willing to fuck around and find out? Are we?
Movement51 launches investment readiness education program for women entrepreneurs across Canada
With backing from TD, Movement51 aims to close VC funding gap for gender-diverse founders.
Raven Indigenous Capital Partners tops initial target for second fund with $100 million final close
With Fund II, Raven aims to build more innovative Indigenous economies.
BDC Capital report finds Canadian VCs are hiring more diverse candidates but facing difficulties with talent retention
DEI survey also indicates VC firms, portfolio companies lack diversity at decision-making level.
Gradient Spaces opens applications for second incubator cohort for 2SLGBTQ2IA+ tech founders
Previous participants include Monday Girl, Rime AI, Future Capital.
Ocean Supercluster launches initiative to increase Indigenous participation in ocean economy
The global innovation cluster is contributing $230,000 for the first phase of the initiative.
The Upside Foundation appoints Juanita Lee-Garcia as new executive director
The Venture for Canada alum takes reins at “pivotal time” for Upside.
Innovobot holds initial close of targeted $40 million fund to invest in “deep tech for good”
The fund has secured $14 million from entrepreneurs and family offices.
InBC announces first three venture fund investments: Evok Innovations, Raven Capital, Yaletown Partners
InBC backs trio of VC funds focused on climate change, reconciliation, and innovation.
Shopify, Benevity set records for Black Friday-Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday
Shopify merchants rack up $7.5 billion in sales over the weekend.
QueerTech launches hybrid conference for 2SLGBTQS+ tech
Named QT Qonference, the event will take place from November 10 to 11.