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B.C. government overhaul will transform tech
Plus, find out who won our free return flight to Seattle.
Kate Wilson
December 11, 2022
Remember in the first week of December when I told you about our fantastic Vancouver Tech Journal giveaway of a free return flight to Seattle, courtesy of Harbour Air? And that all you had to do to enter was to become a member?
I’m excited to announce our winner! Congratulations to Katrina Carroll-Foster, co-founder and partner at Kollectively: a company that provides brand and integrated marketing for B2B tech ventures. Vancouver Tech Journal is honoured to give you your first gift this holiday season. (It’s up to you when you use the flights, of course, but travelling via seaplane to see the Canucks beat the Kraken in their own stadium on December 22 would be a lovely Christmas miracle.)
Here’s our consolation prize for everyone else. Read on to learn about this week’s big B.C. government shakeups, including a new minister for jobs, innovation, and economic development, plus the $11.5 million pouring from the government’s coffers into local tech companies.
This week’s newsletter is 1,013 words: a four-minute read.
-Kate, @KateWilsonSays
B.C. government commits $11.5M toward cleantech adoption
The Integrated Marketplace Initiative links local cleantech companies with YVR, with more test sites following soon. Start reading »
Brenda Bailey is the new Minister of Jobs, Innovation and Economic Development
The Vancouver-False Creek MLA is a tech founder and formerly served as the Parliamentary Secretary for Technology and Innovation. Start reading »
Apple launches free, in-person coding sessions for kids in Vancouver
The company is helping teach those aged 10 and up to code their first app, and is placing special emphasis on bringing girls into STEM. Start reading »
How will Vancouver decarbonize the shipping industry?
The trillion-dollar question was addressed by local cleantech companies, provincial energy suppliers, and global industry corporations at Greenship 2022. Start reading »
"I wish everyone could have a work experience like this." — How (and why) to get a job at Klue
VP people Zuleika Sgro chats with us about the sustainability of Klue’s pacey growth, her team’s “four p’s”, and the interconnectedness of its international team. Start reading »
Silicon Valley ecosystem-builder Plug and Play hosts first event in Vancouver
The afternoon of pitches and panels marks the organization’s launch into the city’s tech community. Start reading »
🤝 Funding and deals
Expeto — a company that builds private cellular and wireless networks for its clients — announced a $12 million Series B round, a raise that brings investment in the company to over $20 million. Read in Vancouver Tech Journal »
Fintel Connect, a fintech firm, raised a $4.8 million seed round, and will use the money to help more financial institutions accelerate digital transformation. Read in Vancouver Tech Journal »
HTEC, which works to develop clean hydrogen solutions, has entered into an agreement with ERCO Worldwide to purchase its industrial land in North Vancouver. Learn more »
AbCellera, a healthtech company, has entered into a strategic alliance with Rallybio Corporation to discover, develop, and commercialize novel antibody-based therapeutics for rare diseases. Learn more »
Mantis XR, a company that creates software for 3D ecommerce experiences, has partnered with Arsenal football club on a metaverse shopping experience for its new line. Try it out »
For more funding news, become a Vancouver Tech Journal member »
Partner message from Accelerate Okanagan: $250K up for grabs for Western Canadian startups at OKGN Angel Summit
🗞️ In other news
The Vancouver Entrepreneurs Forum has announced its new executive committee and board of directors for 2022-23. Learn more »
Vancouver Film School was the target of a “paralyzing” cyberattack. Business in Vancouver »
PacifiCan opened applications to its Regional Quantum Initiative, which provides $14 million in funding available over six years to support eligible businesses and organizations. Learn more »
ElectraMeccanica, a local electric vehicle manufacturer, has appointed Susan Docherty as its third CEO in 15 months – and its fifth since 2019. Business in Vancouver »
Timothy Cai, a Surrey-native and freshman at UBC, was awarded the top Innovator of the Year prize for 16-19 year olds for his low-cost water-treatment technology named the Water Lily: a miniature vacuum solar still. Learn more »
For more news and our daily coverage, become a Vancouver Tech Journal member »
💼 Take your career to the next level
Everyone’s talking about hiring. And while certain companies have laid off team members, there are hundreds of other Vancouver tech businesses searching for talent, including Foresight, Hop, AbCellera, Tsunami Solutions, Seaspan ULC, Inetco Systems, Tantalus Systems, Withe, and PayPal.
Check out who else is hiring on our Vancouver Tech Journal Job Board »
Growing your team? Post a job with us »
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💡 Ideas and insights
Gary Agnew, CEO and co-founder of Ideon, discusses how his company’s high-resolution 3D imaging is transforming mining. Start watching »
Chip Wilson — founder of Lululemon Athletica, Westbeach Snowboard, Low Tide Properties, and more — shares the inside story of Lululemon on Guy Kawasaki’s Remarkable People podcast. Start listening »
Curtis Wong, partnership director at Trendi, interviews Dana McCauley from the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) for an episode of Trendi Talks about the network’s role in accelerating Canadian foodtech.
Eddy Chiang, founder of Moment Energy, reflects on how he became one of the Next 36, a program run by NEXT Canada to train young Canadian entrepreneurs. Applications for this year’s cohort close December 11.
👋 Before you go…
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