Hi everyone,
If the past few weeks are any indication, 2026 is shaping up to be a year where scale and structure matter more than hype. This week’s stories reflect that shift. Safe Software’s $100M milestone shows how foundational bets can turn into durable growth engines, while Fasken’s latest exit data points to a market that’s still moving—just more selectively.
We’re also heading into a busy stretch for the community. On Wednesday, we kick off the year’s first #VTJTalks with leaders from Innovate BC, Invest Vancouver, and Life Sciences BC to look ahead at what 2026 might hold. And next week, Canada’s largest Indigenous tech conference arrives in Vancouver—another sign of how the ecosystem is broadening.
You’ll see all of that in today’s briefing: exits, financings, policy shifts, and the infrastructure quietly shaping the next phase of Canadian tech.
Upcoming Events
On January 21, 2026, join us as we set the tone for 2026 — and help chart what’s next for Vancouver’s tech economy. Featuring the following speakers:
Peter Cowan, President and CEO, Innovate BC
Katie Fitzmaurice, Executive Vice President, Invest Vancouver
Wendy Hurlburt, President and CEO, Life Sciences BC
Bijan Vaez, Founder and CEO, MerchKit
Moderator: Khalil Jessa, Senior Legal Counsel, Capital Markets Regulation, BCSC
From The Journal
SPONSORED BY TECHEXIT.IO
Where Adaptability Drives Deals
TechExit.io Vancouver brings founders, buyers and dealmakers together to talk candidly about how exits really happen today. The deal environment has shifted. AI, secondaries, dual-track strategies, and new buyer models mean leaders need to stay ready for multiple outcomes, not just a single perfect offer.
This year’s program focuses on adaptability and momentum, with real case studies and practical frameworks from people who have built, bought, and sold companies in changing markets.
As Title Partner, Vancouver Tech Journal supports TechExit.io Vancouver’s commitment to informed decision-making, resilient liquidity planning, and staying acquisition-ready in any environment.
SPONSORED BY FORESIGHT CANADA
Don't Miss Out: Submit Your Nomination!
Cleantech innovators, investors, adopters, and ecosystem leaders: this is your chance to be recognized for your contributions to cleantech.
The Canadian Cleantech Awards recognizes leaders across the country while fostering high-value networking and deal-making. Join us in beautiful Kelowna, BC for golf, wine, and economic opportunity.
Funding, Deals, and More
Hootsuite could receive up to $2.8M USD for U.S. immigration enforcement contract: Vancouver-based Hootsuite is providing social media management and monitoring technology to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security via a third-party contractor, years after scrapping an ICE-related deal. BetaKit reports the contract could be worth up to nearly $2.8M USD by 2029.
Read more →Slate raises $1.3M to bring embedded lending to Canadian platforms: Vancouver startup Slate raised $1.3M CAD in pre-seed funding (via SAFE) to help Canadian platforms offer SMB loans without building underwriting, compliance, and lending operations from scratch.
Read more →StandardFusion acquired by Wolters Kluwer for $50M: Vancouver-founded governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) company StandardFusion was acquired by Wolters Kluwer in a cash deal valued at about $50M, with plans to integrate the platform into Wolters Kluwer’s audit and assurance software ecosystem.
Mangrove Lithium secures US$85M financing: Vancouver’s Mangrove Lithium raised US$85M, with participation including Canada Growth Fund, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, and BMW iVentures, to support commercialization and deployment of its lithium refining tech. The company also recently completed Phase 1 construction of its first commercial refining facility in Delta.
On Feb 5, Northeastern Vancouver in collaboration with Mastercard is offering a 90-minute microcredential at no cost for a limited number of participants. Apply now: Introductory NLP for Phishing Detection.*
*Sponsored
SPONSORED BY VRIFY
Critical minerals are shaping the future. Are mining and mineral exploration keeping up?
Technology is reshaping mineral exploration, but not without headwinds. VRIFY’s inaugural Mineral Exploration Tech Report explores how innovation is being adopted, where it’s delivering impact, and why skepticism persists. Built for industry leaders and the tech-curious alike, uncover what’s next for mineral discovery based on real-world perspectives.
In Other News
Nine Canadian companies make the 2026 Global Cleantech 100: Canada landed nine spots on Cleantech Group’s 2026 Global Cleantech 100, with returning names like Cyclic Materials, Mangrove Lithium, and Pani Energy, plus new additions including Planetary, Augmenta, CO280 Solutions, and Eavor.
Read more →LōD Technologies is betting on a smarter, safer way to run AI: Vancouver’s LōD Technologies launched CLōD, an AI inference “gateway” aimed at helping organizations control AI cost, performance, routing, and governance, especially for regulated or sensitive workloads.
Read more →VoPay establishes global headquarters in Qatar: Vancouver-based fintech VoPay announced it’s establishing its global HQ in Doha as it expands digital financial infrastructure across MENA, Africa, and Southeast Asia, while continuing operations in other regions.
Read more →New from Mateína: A zero sugar, organic yerba mate that delivers clean, balanced energy — no crash, no weird ingredients. Just plant-powered fuel that works.*
*Sponsored
👋 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.