Hi everyone,
This week’s briefing captures a moment of contrast: one of B.C.’s biggest startups is scaling back, while others are scaling up — raising money, landing on world-stage lists, and shaping the future of finance, legal tech, and logistics.
We’ve got the latest on Klue’s major layoffs, UniUni’s monster fundraise, and how cosmic rays are helping a Vancouver company become a global mining innovator.
Plus: a fresh face in social finance, a spotlight on science-led startups, and a can't-miss mixer and panel on business and IT infrastructure happening in Vancouver next month — cocktails and canapés included. RSVP for July 24.
More below.
– William
From The Journal
Vancouver dominates milestone 25th competition as local innovators secure nearly half the finalist spots in B.C.’s premier startup showdown.
Four local startups just landed on the 2025 Proptech 30 list, proving the West Coast’s rise in real estate tech is no accident.
The statup's global reach grows as its Vancouver-built tech helps modernize payments from El Salvador to Panama.
SPONSORED BY FORESIGHT CANADA
Venture tackles sustainable housing in new docuseries
BC company Rohe Homes is tackling Canada's housing insecurity by creating homes that are quick to assemble, cost-effective, and adaptable. Whether a laneway home in the city or housing for a remote community, they are making quality, sustainable living accessible.
Watch the video now to learn more.
Funding, Deals & More
UniUni raises US$70M to scale last-mile delivery: Richmond-based e-commerce delivery company UniUni has raised another US$70 million — its third financing round in a year. The round was led by Bessemer Venture Partners and Sinovation Ventures, pushing UniUni’s total raised to US$202 million. The company now brings in $500 million in annual revenue and delivers for Temu, Shein, and AliExpress across North America.
Read more →New leaders named to build Canada's Social Finance Hub: Invoke, Propel Impact, Spring, and CIVIC will lead the creation of a new national Social Finance Hub, bringing together digital product design and mission-driven capital expertise to support Canada’s growing ecosystem.
Read more →Clio and Scorpion team up to align marketing and legal tech: Vancouver-based Clio has entered a strategic partnership with Scorpion, a top digital marketing platform for law firms. Through exclusive product integrations, the two will help legal practices connect marketing data with real client revenue.
Read more →
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In Other News
Klue lays off 40% of staff as AI pressures mount: Vancouver-based Klue has laid off over 40% of its workforce, BetaKit reports. The company cited growing competition from internal AI experimentation within large enterprises as a key reason behind the cuts.
Read more →Vancouver startups named World Economic Forum Tech Pioneers: Two local companies made the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Technology Pioneers list: Ideon Technologies, which uses cosmic-ray muons to scan for critical minerals underground; Miru, which is advancing smart glass for buildings and vehicles.
Read more →Marlon Thompson joins BBFI’s Venture Scouts cohort: Opening Round founder Marlon Thompson has joined the new BBFI Venture Scouts program by Zeal Capital Partners. The program aims to support Black-led startups by expanding access to capital and networks.
Read more →Science as Canada’s new tech moat? Longtime investor Boris Wertz believes science-first companies could be Canada’s answer to building durable moats in the next tech era.
Read the column →
SPONSORED BY VRIFY
The world needs new ways to find critical minerals and resources. Cutting-edge tech like VRIFY’s AI-Assisted Mineral Discovery Platform, DORA, is leading the way, empowering geoscientists to fully utilize data and make more discoveries.
👀 Can't-Miss
Zayo, Nextiva, and 11:11 Systems are teaming up for an evening mixer with cocktails and canapés in Vancouver on July 3. Expect insights on AI-powered communications, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and how to future-proof your operations.
RSVP here →
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