- Vancouver Tech Journal
- Posts
- 🏙️ Has the crypto winter thawed in Vancouver?
🏙️ Has the crypto winter thawed in Vancouver?
A blockchain company in the city hit $3B, a local firm is at the centre of a merger to create Canada's largest regulated crypto platform, and more. This is your Sunday Briefing.
Kate Wilson
April 09, 2023
Remember crypto? After the dumpster fire that saw FTX go up in flames last November, the digital currency and blockchain community has understandably been quiet. This week, however, there’s been landmark good news for the sector — and for local companies in particular.
I’ve been thinking about theming our Sunday newsletter around different industry sectors. By coincidence, the thawing of the crypto winter this week has provided nearly every major headline in Vancouver tech. Read on to discover which Vancouver blockchain company is now worth three billion dollars, which local firm is at the centre of a merger to create Canada’s largest regulated crypto platform, and the outcomes from a major event for women in Web3.
Oh — and if you’d like me to put together non-accidentally themed newsletters in the future, drop me a line to let me know what you’d be interested in! My inbox is always open at [email protected].
Now onto today’s briefing. It’s 1,145 words: a breezy four-minute read.
-Kate, @KateWilsonSays
- P.S. We’re in North Vancouver this week for our Vancouver Tech Morning Coffee! See you from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. at Aragon Launchpad Academy (889 Harbourside Drive). It’s free! Register here »
- P.P.S. If you’re ready to become a Vancouver Tech Journal member, take 10% off with the “friends of” code for Kate, James, or Allison. (That means you can become a member for just $7.23 a month.)
Vancouver women proudly take up space in Web3
The WomeninWeb3 Summit showcased the opportunity for an underrepresented population to build inclusive experiences and invest in financial products. Start reading »
Landmark deal merges three Canadian crypto platforms
Vancouver-based WonderFi is at the centre of the agreement, which will create Canada’s largest regulated crypto asset platform. Members only. Get started »
LayerZero’s value zaps up to $3B
After a massive raise, the local blockchain juggernaut keeps on rocketing. Members only. Get started »
Meet the Web3 founder making blockchain mainstream
The CEO of Repose is ahead of the curve in crypto. Start reading »
How Vancouver-based language app LingQ evolves in a changing market
From embracing a YouTube personality to leveraging AI, the company has found its niche in a crowded market. Start reading »
Meet the winners of 2023’s B.C. Cleantech Awards
From carbon capture to Indigenous clean energy projects, learn more about the provincial leaders working towards a better future. Start reading »
Find your perfect office at WeWork
Bring your team together in a WeWork Private Office and get up to three months free* of monthly membership fees with a minimum commitment. Terms apply. Collaborate with your team in person, get focused work done, and enjoy professional amenities in your own private space.
*For full terms visit We.co/MG
🤝 Funding and deals
ChopValue announced $7.7 million in growth financing. The raise for the Vancouver-based circular economy company coincides with a major milestone: 100 million chopsticks recycled. Read Vancouver Tech Journal’s coverage »
Pender Ventures celebrated the first close of its second fund and the opening of operations in Quebec. Read more »
TeleportDAO, a company that builds infrastructure that connects blockchains, raised $3.42 million in seed funding. Learn more »
Carbon Neutral Royalty — which finances and supports high-quality projects that combat climate change and create a greener planet — closed its latest facility worth an aggregate of up to $25 million with Beedie Investments. Learn more »
Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development, highlighted Budget 2023's investments in building a clean economy while visiting Moment Energy. Read more »
For all the local funding news, become a Vancouver Tech Journal member »
🎁 Featured Vancouver Tech Journal Membership Perk
This week: Shift
Shift is a productivity platform that helps customers streamline and optimize their workflow, without logging in and out or opening a browser.
- Vancouver Tech Journal members receive a 30% discount on the first year of Shift Advanced.
Contact [email protected] to redeem your perks or learn more about Vancouver Tech Journal membership.
🗞️ In other news
Mayker Capital, which acquires controlling stakes in tech companies that have achieved product market fit but lack the expertise to scale, launched Mayker Consulting Group: a new unit designed specifically to help tech founders unlock the potential of their companies. Learn more »
GeoComply — a company that provides geolocation compliance, fraud prevention and cybersecurity solutions — has launched the Challenger series: a set of free videos for startup founders looking at the U.S. sports-betting and iGaming market. Start watching »
Version One Ventures, a local early-stage VC outfit, shared a selection of updates and progress from Q1 this year from its portfolio companies. Learn more »
MonetizeMore, an advertising tech company based in Vancouver, was named to the Financial Times list of America's Fastest Growing Companies 2023. Learn more »
UBCO researchers created a regional house price mining and forecasting framework so potential buyers can learn the history, growth, and benefits of specific neighbourhoods. Learn more »
For all local news and our daily coverage, become a Vancouver Tech Journal member »
💼 Take your career to the next level
Whether you're looking for a dream role or a dream employee, Vancouver Tech Jobs has you covered with a wide selection of local tech roles.
Visualping is hiring a Senior Product Manager
Stemcell Technologies is hiring an Equipment Technician
Goose is hiring a Senior React Native Engineer
Electronic Arts is hiring a Manager FP&A (Respawn)
Coinbase is hiring a Head of Cyber Security Operations
Check out who else is hiring on our Vancouver Tech Job Board »
Growing your team? Post a job with us »
👶 #vtjtalks: Scaling a Business and Family Together | April 12
Join us this month to learn and discuss how to navigate the challenges of growing your business while raising a family. We'll dig into practical strategies for time-management, delegation, self-care, and more. Speakers include leaders from Switchboard, GetFresh Ventures, Life Lapse, and Brood Care.
Members always get 50% off #vtjtalks tickets. Email [email protected] to get your code.
💡 Ideas and insights
Jason Smith, CEO of Klue, writing on LinkedIn about how companies are losing $56 million a year in net new revenue to competitors: Closing the competitive revenue gap
Pocket Sun, co-founder of SoGal Ventures warns against “purple-washing” startup investment by only presenting the image of being woman-friendly: Not a pipeline problem
Brayden Cohen, manager of social marketing at Hootsuite, shared how you can increase the ROI of Instagram.
Penny AI, a social-commerce enablement platform, writing in its newsletter the Penny Press: How to track onboarding success in 2023
Josh Gray, co-founder of Artemis, writing on his company’s blog: The innovators’ dilemma in cloud
👋 Before you go…
Today’s one little ask: Vancouver Tech Journal relies on you to fund local journalism and to keep building your community. If you can spare $8.25 — or $7.23, using the “friends of” code for Kate, James, or Allison — please consider becoming a member. (And you’ll also get access to a whole load of exclusive perks!)
Reply