👋 Usually in these intros I come up with a way to pull out the themes of the week. This time, though, I’m at a loss. Let’s call it the influence of the spooky season playing havoc on my tidy order.
That said, our Vancouver Tech Journal members got a bumper article this week checking in on what’s happened to Vancouver’s 13 unicorns since 2021 (spoiler: some have TANKED), as well as details on how to apply for $32 million in AI funding for British Columbia. Want to read them? Become a member too!
Beyond that, we’ve reported on new advancements in Vancouver’s quantum tech, separating fact from fiction about SR&ED credits, and what’s happening at Science World.
Now onto today’s briefing. It’s 1,355 words: a three-minute read.
-Kate Wilson, managing editor
P.S. Did someone send you this? Subscribe for free and stay connected to Vancouver’s innovation community.
🗞️ FROM VTJ
Read more at vantechjournal.com
SPONSORED BY UBER CANADA
Car-light living is possible
What happens when you ask a Vancouverite to give up their car for a month and pay them $1,300 to use on other transportation methods? Uber wanted to find out with the One Less Car challenge — and the results may surprise you.
Participants’ public transit use increased 238%, and three in every four participants said they planned to drive less after the trial. In addition to avoiding traffic and not having to find parking, participants reported improvements to physical and mental well-being, and shopping at more local businesses around their home and work.
One Less Car is part of Uber’s bigger mission to reimagine the way the world moves for the better and help create less congested, greener, and more livable spaces.
🤝 FUNDING & DEALS
Your company in Vancouver can get some more help.
This week, the federal government announced $2.7 million in funding for Small Business BC: an organization that helps local entrepreneurs grow through free services.
Small Business BC offers resources including business advisory services, workshops, networking opportunities, and mentorship — at no cost. The funding announced today represents a continuation of the longstanding partnership between PacifiCan and the industry organization to support growing companies as they create local jobs, vibrant communities, and inclusive opportunities in British Columbia.
🚨 Want all of the latest funding and deals announcements? VTJ members got it in their newsletter. Not a member? Fix that now.
SPONSORED BY NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
Careers in Tech Panel and Social
Know someone ready to break into tech? Invite them to Northeastern Vancouver’s panel with alumni and employers sharing tips on breaking into tech, networking, and career insights.
🗞 IN OTHER NEWS
Nirvanic has officially left stealth mode. The Vancouver-based company, headed by CEO Suzanne Gildert, is exploring whether it’s possible to artificially engineer consciousness.
The endeavour builds on her leadership as CTO at Sanctuary AI — which aims to create human-like intelligence in general purpose robots — as well as her work at D-Wave building applications for quantum computing.
Nirvanic works on understanding consciousness through both biological neural systems and quantum computing simulations of neurons, which will then be applied to AI. Gildert’s bold idea is that by understanding consciousness in a practical, experimentally driven way, it’s possible to harness and engineer it for use in both artificial intelligence and human wellness. Nirvanic will have achieved its mission with an AI that is empathetically self-aware.
🚨 VTJ members got 12 more stories like these in their Morning Report newsletter. If you’re not already a member, fix that now.
SPONSORED BY EASLY
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💡 IDEAS & INSIGHTS
Panache Ventures partner Chris Neumann believes Canada’s problem with fundraising isn’t a lack of ambition. Instead, it’s the risk-aversion that’s baked into the country’s culture.
“Kevin Carmichael recently wrote about the difference in Canadian and American growth following the War of 1812 and the long-term impacts on each country’s business culture. He noted that, following the war, risk-taking entrepreneurs were actively discouraged from settling in Canada.
The University of Waterloo’s Horatio M. Morgan highlighted stark differences in the two countries’ historical treatment of bankruptcy as a key element in the long-term divergence between how Canadians and Americans view risk.
In other words, failed entrepreneurs in Canada risked jail time and stigmatization for decades after America had widely embraced business risk and its long-term economic benefits. And it wasn’t just Canada. Commonwealth countries around the world have similar endemic risk-aversion due to their common historical experiences.”
👀 CAN’T MISS
November 13 | 🎟️ #VTJTalks: Lessons Learned from Multimillion Dollar Exits: Be in the room with leaders who entered the Vancouver tech ecosystem and achieved a successful exit. Learn from their companies' real-world stories and insights on navigating the path to multimillion-dollar deals. This gathering is a great opportunity to hear practical advice, ask questions, and network with other founders and investors, whether you’re looking to scale your business or are simply curious about the exit process.
➡️ Get tickets
November 18 | 🎟️ Vancouver Tech Business Book Swap: This event offers the perfect setting to connect with fellow members while sharing business or tech-focused reads. Bring a book (or two) that has inspired you, and trade it for a new source of knowledge from someone else in the community. It's a chance to swap more than just books — gain fresh perspectives, build connections, and spark inspiration as we head into the holiday season and prepare for the new year. For Vancouver Tech Journal members.
➡️ Register
November 19 | 🎟️ #VTJTalks: Accessing Non-Dilutive Capital through Government Funding: Secure a Strong Balance Sheet in Uncertain Times: Join us for an insightful session on accessing non-dilutive capital through various government funding programs. This event is tailored for tech entrepreneurs and startups looking to fuel innovation, scale their businesses, and extend their runway through grants, tax credits, and other financial incentives.
➡️ Get tickets
🚨 Remember: VTJ members get early access and 50% off all our events as well as exclusive gatherings. Don’t miss out — if you’re not already a member, fix that now.
👋 YOUR COMMUNITY
🗣 VTJ Community Slack | Can’t make it to any in-person events? Network and chat with your friendly neighbourhood tech professionals using our dedicated Slack.
🤝 Vancouver Tech Jobs board | Looking for work? Looking for your next hire?
🗓️ Vancouver Tech Events Calendar | All local events in one place.
💪 Become a VTJ Corporate Member | Get your brand in front of thousands of tech professionals, investors, decision makers, and leaders. Get in touch today.
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