Balance becomes Canada’s second qualified digital asset custodian
Last week, Calgary-based digital asset custodian Balance registered its subsidiary, Balance Trust Company, as a special purpose trust with Alberta’s Treasury Board and Finance (ATBF). Balance co-founder and CEO George Bordianu claimed to BetaKit that this makes Balance the “second-ever registered trust and qualified custodian for crypto assets in Canada,” alongside competitor and fellow Calgary […]
Momentum Ventures’ CEO Henri Chelhot on the evolving needs of global travellers
As we book winter escapes and work trips, it’s easy to forget that not long ago, a global pandemic had grounded travel worldwide. Few industries were hit harder than travel, facing a range of challenges from changing regulations to a surge in customer inquiries and cancellations. Montreal-based Momentum Ventures, the parent company of FlightHub, justfly.com, […]
Vantage Points: Anne Stevens explains how Canada almost lost AbCellera to the US
AbCellera might be one of the most recognizable life sciences companies in British Columbia, but according to vice-president of business development Anne Stevens, it once considered leaving Canada. As the creator of a drug discovery platform whose antibodies have treated over 2.5 million patients, AbCellera has repeatedly questioned whether BC—and Canada—provide it the right environment […]
Québec launches $4.5-billion CAD Grand V funding initiative for sustainable innovation projects
The Québec government’s investment arm, Investissement Québec, announced a new program that will disburse an estimated $4.5 billion CAD through 2027 to Québec companies looking to boost innovation and ecological sustainability. Grand V, which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy (MEIE), is a new program seeking to supply financial […]
Founders of Propel Holdings, Plusgrade, and Redbrick among 2024 EY Entrepreneur of the Year regional winners
A slew of tech leaders were among the regional winners of the 2024 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year awards. Tobyn Sowden, founder and CEO of Victoria-based software portfolio company Redbrick, is this year’s Pacific region winner; Clive Kinross, founder and CEO of Toronto-based FinTech firm Propel Holdings is Ontario’s winner; and Ken Harris, founder and […]
How to tame a large language model
Managing technology teams should be straightforward: Set clear expectations, provide the right tools and environment, and measure your results. Dwayne Forde believes more founders should manage AI the same way. “At times it feels like there’s no clear feedback or a sense of progress when working with this evolving new technology.” As the co-founder and […]
Vantage points: Josh Nilson thinks BC should focus on its sector strengths
Josh Nilson sees BC as Canada’s blind spot: last on the clock, last in line for votes, and until yesterday, without a government. For Nilson, an entrepreneur and angel investor, this sense of being overlooked has given BC founders a unique brand of grit. “We think pressure makes diamonds, so we have to work with […]
Chris Albinson departs as Communitech CEO but keeps reins of True North Fund
Communitech announced today the departure of Chris Albinson as CEO after three-and-a-half years at the helm of the Kitchener-Waterloo innovation hub. Despite the split, Albinson will continue his efforts to build a True North Fund. Communitech CFO Jennifer Gruber has been tapped to serve as interim CEO, and the organization’s board plans to begin the […]
While US moves forward on open banking, Canadian FinTechs met with more “zombie” discourse
After the United States (US) made its biggest move yet toward establishing an open banking system, Canadian FinTechs continue to receive pushback against a proposed Canadian system years in the making. On Oct. 22, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized rules for an open banking system in the United States. While a welcome announcement for […]
Shopify combines its financial solutions into one dashboard
With embedded finance projected to hit $230 billion USD next year, Shopify has launched Shopify Finance, a new unified dashboard for its FinTech offerings. “We’re doubling down on the financial tools we give our merchants to help them win.” As part of the launch, Shopify’s merchants in the United States (US) will gain access to […]