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D-Wave announced that it’s successfully completed $175 million worth of stock sales.

The Vancouver company works on quantum computing systems, software, and services, and is the world’s first commercial supplier of quantum computers. Its tech is being applied to problems as diverse as logistics, artificial intelligence, materials sciences, drug discovery, scheduling, cybersecurity, fault detection, and financial modeling.

Quantum continues to be a hot industry in the city. In the last few months alone, fellow company BTQ Technologies acquired Radical Semiconductor and announced its partnership focused on a “quantum proof-of-work”: a new approach to managing the distributed ledgers required for blockchain. Local darling Photonic teamed up with Telus to access its fiber-optic network, and much-hyped company Nirvanic launched with the goal of using quantum simulations of neurons to recreate human consciousness.

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Vancouver’s city council has passed a motion instigated by mayor Ken Sim to make the city “Bitcoin friendly.” As part of that plan, the City will explore ways of accepting Bitcoin for tax payment and fees.

In a CBC interview, UBC adjunct professor Jarrett Vaughan — who also spoke at the council hearing in support of the motion — pointed out that there is a “lot of creativity” behind Sim’s proposal, and that Vancouver already has the most businesses in the world that accept Bitcoin as payment.

Vaughan also suggested that the motion could offer a positive environmental impact, saying that Bitcoin mining is good at stabilizing electrical grids. One of the ideas being discussed by the City is to use Bitcoin miners to create heat for infrastructure like Kitsilano’s iconic pool — which would simultaneously net the City hundreds of thousands of dollars from its new Bitcoin holdings.

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The Business Council of British Columbia (BCBC) this week launched its largest-ever advertising campaign to encourage young professionals to stay in B.C., targeted at the huge numbers of people that are leaving the province for Alberta.

For the first time in over a decade, B.C. is experiencing a net population loss to other Canadian provinces and territories, with 67 percent of those leaving under the age of 40 — a move that BCBC says highlights a significant loss of young talent.

The "Stay with B.C." campaign flips the script on Alberta’s well-known "Alberta is Calling" ads, with visuals BCBC says are designed to spark a conversation about the critical role a strong economy plays in addressing affordability challenges and keeping young, talented British Columbians in the province.  

"Many have heard the Alberta is Calling ads and laughed them off, but the reality is other provinces are calling, and people are answering," said Laura Jones, BCBC president and CEO.

See the campaign »

January 27 | 🎟️ #VTJTalks: 2025 Outlook for Vancouver’s Innovation Economy: ​As we transition into 2025, Vancouver’s tech community faces an exciting yet challenging landscape shaped by global uncertainty and local opportunity. Startups and investors are navigating a rapidly shifting economic environment, marked by cautious capital flows, recalibrated valuations, and a growing need for resilient strategies. ​This event will dive deep into what lies ahead for the city’s tech sector, offering key insights into how founders, investors, and industry leaders can chart a course for success in the year ahead.

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