Morning everyone,
It's been back-to-back weeks for Canadian life sciences. Last week, Vancouver saw $127 million in federal funding land at Providence Health Care and Aspect Biosystems. This week, BDC launched a $150 million venture fund aimed at early-stage companies in therapeutics and medical technologies — a sign that capital, both public and private, is starting to flow more seriously into the sector.
A reminder that Web Summit Vancouver is just over a month away — our unofficial after party list is up if you're still figuring out your schedule.
Now, here's the week in review.
P.S. On April 22, join Web Summit Vancouver co-hosts Casey Lau and William Johnson (founder of the Vancouver Tech Journal) as they countdown to the 2026 edition of Web Summit Vancouver. Save your spot.
From The Journal
SPONSORED BY FASKEN MARTINEAU
Race to Zero with Fasken
As the world races to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, leading Canadian companies put their trust in Fasken. As the first Canadian law firm to launch an emerging tech practice over 30 years ago, Fasken is the go-to firm for those investing in ClimateTech companies or scaling companies in the industry.
Funding, Deals, and More
BDC has launched a $150 million Life Sciences Venture Fund to back early-stage Canadian companies in therapeutics and medical technologies, with a focus on closing the financing gap that has long plagued companies at the earliest stages of development. Read more →
Vancouver startup Sonibel has raised $1.6 million USD for an acoustic sensor that uses machine learning to detect welding errors as they happen — though the company has incorporated in Delaware and is eyeing a move to the US. Read more →
SPONSORED BY PORTFOLIO.YVR BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURS MAGAZINE
Prime Your Audience Before Takeoff
Portfolio.YVR places attendees' stories in the inboxes of 100,000 business professionals across NA before you board the plane — through a 10-page feature and a digital distribution strategy that includes a press release to 120,000 global media outlets. Investing in visibility before Web Summit — what are you waiting for?
In Other News
A five-year study of 70 Canadian tech companies by Vancouver-based TAP Network and Mercer has found that workforce representation and pay equity have seen little meaningful change since 2020, despite growing DEI investment. Read more →
North Vancouver's Jane Software has earned a Silver Stevie Award for customer service in software technology, its third Stevie recognition, for its commitment to human-powered support for health and wellness practitioners. Read more →
A new BCBusiness feature examines how B.C.'s 700-plus AI companies are selling world-class solutions abroad while slow domestic adoption and provincial electricity limits risk leaving the province as a late adopter of technology being built in its own backyard. Read more →
Your next customers are in the food sector. CFIN connects AI innovators, robotics and automation experts, and software developers with food and beverage companies actively looking to adopt new technology and modernize their operations. Read more →*
*Sponsored listing
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