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Universe alums aim to leverage developer infrastructure experience with Bemi

Canadian-founded, San Francisco-based Bemi aims to streamline how back-end developers use their databases to power event-driven systems. The software startup has announced nearly $1.2 million CAD in total funding to fuel its early efforts with more Canadian engineering talent. Last month, Bemi secured $872,000 in pre-seed financing led by Night Capital with support from existing […]

Putting a new sense of purpose in motion

This is the second installment of “The Comeback,” the story of one team’s search for a good problem, and the lessons learned along the way. Read part one: Wrecked, here. Sanja Smrzlic was burnt out.  Years of grueling shifts as a psychiatric nurse had drained her. The constant flip between nights and days left little […]

Cohere and Float once again top LinkedIn’s Top Canadian Startups list

Professional networking site LinkedIn released its annual list of top Canadian startups today.  The list is based on the platform’s data across four key pillars: employee growth, jobseeker interest, engagement within the company and its employees, and how well these startups have attracted talent from the companies in the 2024 Best Workplaces list, according to […]

Microsoft among corporate investors backing Cyclic Materials’ $71-million CAD Series B

Toronto-based Cyclic Materials is looking to expand its rare earth recycling infrastructure in the United States and Europe following a $71-million CAD ($53-million USD) round of Series B financing. The all-equity, all-primary funding round was led by Toronto-based cleantech investor ArcTern Ventures. New investors included BDC Capital’s Climate Tech Fund, Hitachi Ventures, Zero Infinity Partners, […]

How adtech startup Shoelace ended up at the brink of death

Introducing “The Comeback,” the story of one team’s search for a good problem, and the lessons learned along the way. Today, Part One: Wrecked. Pivot or die. For Shoelace co-founder and CEO Reza Khadjavi, the need to choose hit him like a punch to the gut. It was 2019, and four years had passed since […]

a16z leads Scribenote’s $8.2-million seed round to boost AI-powered writing tool for vets

Kitchener-Waterloo-based artificial intelligence (AI) startup Scribenote has closed $8.2 million in seed funding as it looks to advance the capabilities of its scribe tool for veterinarians. The round was led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), with participation from Inovia Capital, the Velocity Fund, and undisclosed angel investors. A 2022 study found that almost 90 percent of […]

Clio’s Jack Newton headlines BetaKit Town Hall: Vancouver on Oct 22

What does the future of tech look like on Canada’s Best Coast? We’re thrilled to announce BetaKit Town Hall: Vancouver on Oct. 22, in partnership with Vancouver Entrepreneurs Forum (VEF). The event will feature a fireside chat and AMA with Jack Newton, CEO of Clio. More speakers will be announced over the weeks to come. […]

Ayrton Energy raises $9.1 million CAD in bid to expand clean hydrogen solution in the US

Calgary-based cleantech startup Ayrton Energy has closed $9.1 million CAD ($6.7 million USD) in seed financing to advance the US expansion of its hydrogen storage solution.  The financing round was led by Boston-based Clean Energy Ventures and the Crown corporation Business Development Bank of Canada’s investment arm, BDC Capital. Other participants included Antares Ventures, EPS […]

With Nmbr, former Humi execs want to power embedded payroll products across Canada

Simon Bourgeois is no stranger to payroll. For over three years, he led Toronto-based Humi, which offers payroll, human resources (HR), and benefits software solutions to Canadian businesses. It was during his time as CEO of Humi that he tracked the industry’s shift toward embedded payroll.  Bourgeois left Humi in 2022, and since then has […]