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The forecast calls for more tech news
Here's our promise to you: Vancouver Tech Journal will never produce a clickbait story about snow. Instead, we've got the stuff of substance.
Kate Wilson
December 04, 2022
This newsletter is just a glimpse of the amazing tech news happening in Vancouver every day. Don’t want to miss a story? Become a Vancouver Tech Journal member »
At every Vancouver publication I’ve worked at, the top article — without fail — has been about … snow. Every. Single. Year. Vancouverites love reading about snow. They love the “annual meeting of the summer tires club”. They love ice bombs falling off the Port Mann and Alex Fraser bridges. They love the “snow angels” that leave their warm houses with cookies and coffee for those stranded on highways.
But here’s our Vancouver Tech Journal promise to you. We will not be writing those clickbait stories with pictures of Kitsilano side streets, or summarizing your iPhone weather widget, or telling you nothing more than you can glean by looking out the window. Instead, we’ve got the good stuff. The stuff of substance. The stuff that doesn’t melt as soon as you read it.
This week, read about whether Vancouver is ready for a million more people and what the city has to do to get there. Plus, discover the winners of three big B.C. and Canada-based contests for companies, and learn why you’re now seeing a whole bunch of Rivian vehicles on Vancouver streets.
Onwards, to today’s briefing! It’s 1,196 words: a four-minute read.
-Kate, @KateWilsonSays
- P.S. Remember last week when I told you about our contest to win a free return flight to Seattle? Today is your last chance to be in with a shot by becoming a member.
Is Vancouver ready for a million more people?
Local leaders explore the role that technology can play in ensuring equitable and sustainable growth across the region at the CityAge: Vancouver conference. Start reading »
Rivian Automotive begins vehicle deliveries in British Columbia
The company’s flagship all-electric pickup and SUV vehicles will be united with buyers through the end of 2022, and ramp further in 2023. Start reading »
Boast reveals the winners of its pitch competition for Canada’s most innovative startup
Vancouver companies took home two of the three top prizes, which totalled more than $250,000. Start reading »
Spring’s investor challenges have dished out $170K over the last week
Meet the winners from a trio of impact-based competitions. Start reading »
Foresight announces Canada’s 50 most investable cleantech companies
Nearly one-third of the companies are based in Metro Vancouver, and are building solutions to help adapt to or mitigate climate change. Start reading »
Member exclusive: Meet the former Red Bull and Spotify marketer who was pulled into Vancouver Web3
Ryan Lassi always wanted to do cool shit. It’s happening with Looking Glass Labs’ House of Kibaa. Start reading (members only) »
Helping innovators and changemakers tell their stories
Switchboard Public Relations works with some of the most progressive and innovative teams in the tech sector.
Tech leaders know their products and services are brilliant, but sometimes need help explaining why they matter and how they will create positive change. Switchboard communicates game-changing ideas to target audiences in a way that’s accessible and exciting.
Is your team on a mission to disrupt the status quo? See how the country’s top tech PR firm can help you.
🤝 Funding and deals
Produce8, a Vancouver-based SaaS company for remote-first teams, raised $6 million in seed funding. Read in Vancouver Tech Journal »
Sanctuary AI received a $30 million Strategic Innovation Fund Contribution from the Canadian Government. Learn more »
Active Replica has been acquired by Mozilla. The Vancouver metaverse company builds virtual spaces and events to facilitate community online. Learn more »
entrepreneurship@UBC alumn IRLY landed $475,000 in pre-seed capital. Learn more »
RESAAS, a Vancouver-based real estate technology company, expanded an existing partnership to now include all U.S.-based RE/MAX agents. Learn more »
UBC has received over $5 million from the federal government for a project to provide insights on the impact of COVID-19 on travel behaviour in the Metro Vancouver region and beyond. Learn more »
For more funding news, become a Vancouver Tech Journal member »
Neeraj Gupta is the former chief strategy officer at Attabotics — which just raised $95M for its robotics tech — and a prolific investor writing cheques between $50K and $1M. He’s also joining us this Wednesday IRL in Vancouver. You can join too. Register now.
🗞️ In other news
Office vacancies are on the rise in Vancouver, hitting a two-decade high at 11.5 percent at the end of September, according to Altus. Globe and Mail »
The City of Vancouver is seeking zero-waste innovators to pilot their solutions at the Zero Waste Demonstration Site. Successful ventures will have the opportunity to showcase their solution to key stakeholders, which could potentially lead to an agreement with the City. Learn more »
The B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy is looking to support net-zero technology innovators with non-dilutive grant funding with its 2023 Open Call for Innovation. Learn more »
Vancouver Entrepreneurs’ Forum is offering a buy-one-get-one-free deal on individual memberships. Learn more »
X44 Vida Carbon Racing has won its maiden championship title. The team is headed by F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, and was recently renamed upon entering a partnership with Vancouver-based Vida Carbon earlier this year. Learn more »
For more news and our daily coverage, become a Vancouver Tech Journal member »
Switchboard’s founder Kathleen Reid asks VC experts Panache Ventures’ Chris Neumann and LOI Venture’s Ryan Holmes to share the key elements of a successful pitch. Start reading »
💼 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 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 »
Tech-enabled property management for the modern-day landlord
HostGenius seamlessly joins technology and service to generate more money for landlords. Experts in the flexible rental model, HostGenius ensures your property experiences maximum occupancy and nightly rates.
Give HostGenius a call to find out how much more you could be earning!
💡 Ideas and insights
Dana O’Born, Council of Canadian Innovators’ VP of strategy and advocacy, reviews the year that was, and previews what’s to come: B.C. legislative wrap-up and 2023 innovation policy outlook
Tamer Mohamed, founder of Aspect Biosystems, speaks with Chris Hobbs on his Afternoon T podcast about transforming how we treat disease.
Kookai Chaimahawong, ESG partner at Upperstage Capital, writes about the different dimensions of of impact assessments, and how optimizing for positive impact can also optimize returns.
Bruce Qi, CEO of Launchpad, is interviewed by SaaS North about how he plans to turn his business into an anchor company
Manoj Singh, founder and CEO of Acuva, shares how his company is using technology to solve the global clean water gap
👋 Before you go…
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