Ever wanted to learn a new language using tech? Last week, our excellent staff writer Allison Gacad wrote about LingQ: a Vancouver-based app that teaches you how to speak and read a whole load of native tongues. Here’s the truth: Duolingo just doesn’t do it for me, so I’m a big fan of LingQ’s more natural language-learning methods. This week, you can join me in my quest to learn French (we’re a dual-language nation, right?) by winning one of the five free one-year premium memberships for LingQ we have to give away!
Entry is simple. The first five people to become annual members of Vancouver Tech Journal, starting right now, will automatically win a free membership to LingQ, worth $131 each. (And that’s a double win, because as a member of Vancouver Tech Journal, you get a whole load of exclusive perks too.)
On your marks — go!
Now onto today’s briefing. It’s 938 words: a swift three-minute read.
-Kate, @KateWilsonSays
P.S. As always, we’re meeting this Tuesday for our Vancouver Tech Morning Coffee! See you from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. at The Coffee Bar (10 Water Street, Gastown). It’s free! Register here »
Nearing its 30th birthday, Safe Software rebrands
The company is also setting an ambitious growth plan of more than tripling revenue in the next five years, to hit $250M. Start reading »
Threats of a TikTok ban are a wake-up call for creators. Here's how they can prepare.
TikTok made it easy to build an audience quickly, but leaning too heavily on any one third-party platform can come with significant risks to long-term business success, says Thinkific’s Christie Horsman. Start reading »
Repurposing EV batteries with Moment Energy
In the first of a three-part series on circular economy technologies, we unpack how the local cleantech startup takes on energy storage solutions. Start reading »
Optimism for Vancouver’s VR and AR community
A new DigiBC report reveals the strengths and challenges of the world’s second-largest immersive tech ecosystem. Start reading »
Watchlist: Six AI companies you need to see in Vancouver
Meet a half dozen of the businesses that showcased their AI tech at our Vancouver Tech Journal event earlier this week. Members only. Get started »
The best tech predictions you'll read for Vancouver in 2023
Read our top daily members’ briefing from this week. Members only. Get started »
🤝 Funding and deals
The Province of B.C. has invested in Digital (formerly known as the Digital Supercluster) for its housing mandate initiative to speed up and make digital permitting and construction more collaborative. Learn more »
Genome British Columbia announced $1 million in funding to support four unique projects aimed at enabling discoveries to address unmet clinical healthcare needs. Read more »
Trez Capital, a non-bank commercial real estate lender and alternative investment asset manager, announced a USD $27 million close of its seventh equity opportunity fund. Continue »
Aspect Biosystems and Novo Nordisk announced a collaboration, development, and license agreement, with Aspect to receive USD $75 million in initial payments and up to $650 million in future milestone payments per product arising from the collaboration. Learn more »
Metaspectral, which delivers remote computer vision, has executed a Letter of Intent with SkyFi, a company providing on-demand satellite imagery from a growing network of over 70 satellites. Learn more »
For all the local funding news, become a Vancouver Tech Journal member »
🎁 Featured Vancouver Tech Journal Membership Perk
This week: TAP Network
TAP Network is a community of People and Culture professionals in Canada's tech sector, providing members with access to tech sector data, mentors, industry experts, and an inclusive peer community.
- Vancouver Tech Journal members receive a 10% discount on TAP Network’s Tech Salary Survey, a comprehensive Canadian compensation data on over 30,000 incumbents at 216 local, national, and international technology companies.
Contact [email protected] to redeem your perks or learn more about Vancouver Tech Journal membership.
🗞️ In other news
Absolute Software laid off 40 employees, which amounts to a workforce reduction of five percent. Learn more »
Sanctuary AI, which makes general-purpose robots, was featured in a story in Wired about its recent deployment in a Mark’s store in Langley. Start reading »
NFT Technologies, which helps brands and IP holders enter the world of blockchain, has released a comprehensive report analyzing the adoption of Web3 technology by top brands. Learn more »
Vancouver-based cleantech company Lightspark launched Lightspark Engage, a new platform being piloted in Calgary and Edmonton that’s designed to simplify home energy efficiency. Learn more »
Elemental Post, a post-production company, has opened a new studio in Vancouver’s Railtown district. 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.
Boomi is hiring a Commercial Account Executive
Tandem Studios is hiring an Intermediate Software Developer (C#/.NET)
Bulletproof Studio Tools is hiring a Senior Full Stack Web Developer - Founding Team
BrainStation is hiring an Educator, Cybersecurity
LingQ is hiring a QA Tester (Manual)
Svante is hiring a Data Integration Specialist
Check out who else is hiring on our Vancouver Tech Job Board »
Growing your team? Post a job with us »
Improve your DevOps: New Course
Reduce service downtime and costs with automation and failure-resistant web services. Using Kubernetes can provide instant recovery for your SaaS application. Learn more about the new COMP 4016 Applied DevOps with Kubernetes.
BCIT Computing Flexible Learning has the largest offering of part time IT courses in BC.
💡 Ideas and insights
Chris Hobbs, president of TTT Studios, chatted to local investor Maninder Dhaliwal on his Afternoon T podcast about the math of why startups fail and the right time to raise capital. Start listening »
Chris Neumann, general partner at Panache Ventures, writes: why do pre-seed investors ask for side letters?
Wal van Lierop, founder and managing partner at Chrysalix Venture Capital, writes in Forbes: Saving the energy transition starts with honesty
On a recent episode of Boast and Launch Academy’s Traction podcast, eight-time founder (!) Mark Ghermezian shares his top tips for building and scaling a hypergrowth startup. Listen now »
Precision OS, a VR surgery training simulator, discusses whether VR should be included in surgical curriculums in an interview with Dr. Javad Parvizi, professor and vice chairman of research at Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals.
For all local content and our daily coverage, become a Vancouver Tech Journal member »
👋 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!)