🗞️ This week, BC tech is making history—and rewriting the playbook. Blossom just broke records with Canada’s largest equity crowdfunding round. The Terry Fox Foundation is teaming up with a VC firm to fund cancer-fighting startups. And founders are rethinking how (and when) to give up equity, thanks to some hard-won cap table lessons.
Also inside: TELUS wants to build a Sovereign AI Factory in Vancouver, WELL Health inches toward unicorn revenue, and the mayor is ready to ride for bitcoin. Plus, TED’s exit, a billion-dollar blockchain boost, and the case for celebrating wins without a term sheet.
-TJ team
P.S. Will we see you at #VTJTalks: From AWS to Apple to Unblocked — A Founder’s Journey?
👋 Want 20% off Web Summit tickets this year, plus exclusive access to all our locked articles, events, and more? Vancouver Tech Journal members get that for less than the price of a coffee per week. Join the city’s tech leaders and become a member.
🗞️ FROM VTJ
Blossom’s leadership team.
What started with just 25 users has become one of Canada’s fastest-growing fintechs—and now, it’s made history.
Startup veterans reveal the most common cap table regrets—and how to set yourself up for a better outcome.
Life sciences VC and cancer foundation will support companies developing novel therapies.
Early-stage tech ventures from across the province move one step closer to $250K in prizes.
In case you missed it…
Read more at vantechjournal.com
SPONSORED BY STARBOARD RECRUITMENT
Starboard Recruitment
Starboard Recruitment specializes in finding quality talent for Vancouver's top tech companies. A trusted partner, they are highly recommended by many industry leaders. View testimonials here: Link to David's profile.
💸 FUNDING & DEALS
Teranet invests in GoVeyance to modernize conveyancing: Teranet has made a strategic investment in Delta-based GoVeyance, aiming to enhance digital conveyancing solutions and streamline real estate transactions across Canada.
LayerZero's token surges after major investment: LayerZero's ZRO token experienced a 10% price increase following a $55 million investment from venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, signaling strong confidence in the Vancouver-founded blockchain interoperability protocol.
TELUS unveils plans for sovereign AI factory in Vancouver: TELUS announced the development of a Sovereign AI Factory in Vancouver, powered by NVIDIA technology, aiming to bolster Canada's AI capabilities while ensuring data sovereignty and security.
SPONSORED BY NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
Inside the AI-powered workplace
Join Northeastern University in Vancouver for its graduate open house on May 8, featuring a panel discussion with Dean Steve Eccles and industry experts on how AI is transforming the workplace. RSVP to explore how tech professionals can thrive in an AI-driven world.
📰 IN OTHER NEWS
WELL Health nears billion-dollar revenue milestone: Vancouver-based WELL Health Technologies reported $919.7 million CAD in 2024 revenue, just shy of the $1 billion mark, due to deferred revenue from its U.S. subsidiary, Circle Medical.
Pavilion cowork offers free office space to startups: Pavilion Cowork is providing eight free office spaces—three in downtown Vancouver and five in Calgary—for startups over a four-month period, as part of its Residency Program supporting early-stage companies.
Vancouver office market attracts global tech giants: Downtown Vancouver's office vacancy rate has declined to 10.7%, with Class A spaces at around 8%, signaling a strong rebound and attracting interest from major tech companies.
Mayor Ken Sim advocates for bitcoin integration: Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim expressed strong support for making the city bitcoin-friendly, stating it's a "hill that I'm willing to die on," as he awaits a city staff report on potential cryptocurrency integration.
TruthSayer introduces AI-driven investment tool: Vancouver-based startup TruthSayer, led by CEO Nizar Assanie, has launched an AI-powered "hedge fund-in-a-box," offering retail investors and small funds access to advanced trading strategies at a fraction of traditional costs.
Plus…
🚨 VTJ members got more stories like these in their Morning Report newsletter. If you’re not already a member, fix that now.
SPONSORED BY THE HIGH TECHNOLOGY FACILITIES GROUP
Connect with The High Technology Facilities Group at CBRE – the Vancouver team representing BC’s startup and unicorn companies, to find unique workspaces that drive productivity, attract top talent and create amazing culture.
💡 IDEAS & INSIGHTS
In a sharp reminder for founders, Properate CEO Arman Mottaghi argues that success isn’t always tied to fundraising. From revenue growth to meaningful partnerships, there are plenty of milestones worth celebrating—even if they don’t come with a cheque attached. It’s a call to reframe what progress looks like in startup land.
👀 CAN’T MISS
Join us for a special fireside chat with Dennis Pilarinos, where he’ll share lessons from both sides of the tech world — from leading teams at Microsoft and AWS, to founding Buddybuild (acquired by Apple), and now launching his newest venture, Unblocked, focused on AI tools for developers. Register now.
🚨 Remember: VTJ members get early access and 50% off our VTJ talks 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 – reply back if you need access.
💪 Become a VTJ Corporate Member and get your brand in front of thousands of tech professionals, investors, decision makers, and leaders. Get in touch today.
