A busy week for builders

Hey everyone,

Momentum is building across Vancouver’s tech ecosystem as capital, programs, and strategic shifts converge. Althra is now writing cheques, Toyo’s funding highlights continued interest in agent-driven startups, and new financing for Arbutus Medical — alongside the Raven Indigenous Impact Fund’s close and fresh PacifiCan investment — signals sustained funding activity across sectors.

At the same time, the conversation around AI is evolving from hype to implementation. Industrio’s launch, RBC’s new AI group, and thoughtful commentary on capital markets and AI trust all point to an ecosystem focused less on possibility and more on execution — making this week’s stories essential context for what comes next.

– William

Upcoming Events

Must attend – February 26: BC is under pressure—who’s building the solutions? with Sheila Schindel, Managing Director, Commercialization & IP Programs, Innovate BC; Michael Lee, Chief Strategy Officer, UrbanLogiq; Paras Sharma, Principal, InBC; Dr. Michal Aibin, Program Head, Master of Science in Applied Computing, BCIT; and William Johnson, VP, Strategy & Operations, Overstory Media Group and Founder, Vancouver Tech Journal.
March 4: Office Hours with Vancouver Tech Journal

From The Journal

Vancouver's Althra accelerator opens applications – and is now writing cheques

Four-month program offers $12.5K for 1% equity, with up to $50K more at completion

Toyo lands $4.3M to build secure, always-on AI agents

Backed by Frontline and iNovia, the startup is building a platform where AI agents execute real work for founders.

Five takeaways from William Johnson’s appearance on Canada Now

The internet is getting weirder. Community is getting stronger.

Industrio launch flips script on AI hype cycle

Vancouver firm takes operational intelligence from concept to production at scale.

Web Summit Vancouver’s content tracks reveal what 2026 is really about

If you want a shot at the stage, you need to understand the themes shaping it.

Applications open for New Ventures BC Competition with $250K on the line

Competition alumni have raised $3.4B since 2000, created 15,000+ jobs

How Alberta built a successful CCUS ecosystem

With a decade of commercial CCUS experience, Alberta offers a roadmap for scaling carbon capture across North America.

Supporting every stage of your Web Summit Vancouver journey

Are you a B.C. startup attending Web Summit Vancouver this May?

The Road to Web Summit Vancouver (R2WSV), Powered by Innovate BC with support from an exciting group of Delivery Partners, is here to help B.C. innovators capitalize on the wealth of opportunities available at the conference and beyond with tailored events and programming that will give you the skills you need to make impactful connections, share your story and drive growth.

Visit the website for a full list of upcoming opportunities.

Funding, Deals, and More

Vancouver-based Arbutus Medical has secured $9.3M in new financing led by Nimbus Synergies to support expansion of its surgical technology platform and accelerate commercialization in global markets.
Read more →
The Raven Indigenous Impact Fund has closed at $32M and is preparing to make its first investments in B.C., backing Indigenous-led ventures across sectors including technology and sustainability.
Read more →
Pacific Economic Development Canada announced more than $46.6M in funding for eight B.C. initiatives aimed at strengthening defence innovation, commercialization, and sector capacity across the province.
Read more →
Carey-Jo Hoffman explored Canada’s early-stage funding challenges through a “dating market” metaphor, arguing founders often struggle to find aligned capital despite strong fundamentals.
Read more →
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In Other News

Canada’s federal AI minister has raised questions about AI oversight following reporting tied to an OpenAI-related case connected to a shooting investigation in Tumbler Ridge, sparking broader policy discussion.
Read more →
Vancouver-based AI leader Greg Mori announced RBC is creating a new AI Group reporting directly to the CEO, integrating RBC Borealis research and product innovation across the bank. Read more →
A new column by TELUS VC Sophie Ngo explores the evolving question of trust in AI systems, outlining governance, transparency, and accountability considerations shaping enterprise adoption. Read more →
Join Canada’s leading community for AI builders, robotics and automation experts, and software developers devoted to building the future of food. CFIN connects startups, investors, and industry leaders through funding, insight, and collaboration. Read more*
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