It’s been a week of highs and lows in Vancouver tech. The B.C. Budget was released, earmarking $480 million for its new Future Ready plan to help skill individuals for high-paying jobs — but many regional industry organizations don’t think it’s enough. We spotlighted a number of local communities making change in Vancouver and beyond, but that community shrank a little this week as Dapper Labs laid off another 20 percent of its staff.
All that to say: we’ve written on a whole bunch of diverse topics this week. We’re here for you, and want to provide you with the most useful coverage we can. I’d love to hear what content you — our community — wants to see more of from VTJ:
And remember, if you want to read our startup watchlists, cheatsheets, playbooks, daily briefings, and exclusive stories, you’ll need to become a member.
Now onto today’s briefing. It’s 1,145 words: a four-minute read.
-Kate, @KateWilsonSays
P.S. If someone else sent you this, you can subscribe right here, right now.
Vancouver’s Black tech leaders are creating local change
Historical policy decisions have resulted in a small local Black community, but it seeks to have a big impact. Start reading »
Abbotsford Innovation Network launches with inaugural event
The organization hopes to break down silos within the Fraser Valley, and help innovators collaborate within their own community. Start reading »
Businesses respond to the B.C. Budget 2023
The province is spending big on housing and health care, but some industry organizations feel businesses have been left behind. Start reading »
Meet the Angels for Climate Solutions’ top 10 companies
These climatetech ventures are in the race for $150K as the finalists in the competition run put on by Spring, VEC, Volition, and Foresight. Start reading »
Who got funded in 2022?
The latest CVCA report shows that despite economic headwinds, venture capital is still flowing into Canada and Vancouver. Members only. Get started »
Dapper Labs lays off another 20 percent of its workforce
Read our top member briefing from last week. Members only. Get started »
🔮#vtjtalks: The Future of the Creator Economy | March 15
TikTok, OnlyFans, courses, Web3, tokens, newsletters – is this a flash in the pan, or the future of business?
Join us next month to explore topics surrounding content technology, payment platforms, video distribution, token gating, the impact of generative AI, gaming, ways creators can diversify and grow their businesses, and much more.
Speakers include execs from Thinkific, Later, Viral Nation, SoleSavy, and more.
🤝 Funding and deals
The Government of Canada announced a new $250 million program that is expected to help more than 15,000 Canadian workers, including those from under-represented groups, transition into new jobs in high-growth sectors such as cybersecurity, agtech, advanced manufacturing, cleantech, and biomanufacturing. Learn more »
MonetizeMore, a Vancouver-based ad monetization partner for web publishers and app developers, acquired Advanced Ads, an adtech platform specializing in ad management tools and plugins for WordPress publishers. Learn more »
BuildCentrix, a SaaS company that helps workflows, acquired SiteTrace to streamline material procurement in construction. Learn more »
WELL Ventures, a corporate venture arm of WELL Health, made a strategic investment in Doctorly, a German medical practice management software. Newswire »
ImagineAR, an augmented reality platform, has executed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with a global digital publishing company to purchase Software Development Kit (SDK) licenses to deliver immersive holograms in mobile apps. Yahoo! Finance »
For all the local funding news, become a Vancouver Tech Journal member »
🎁 Featured Vancouver Tech Journal Membership Perk
This week: TAP Network’s Tech Salary Survey
- The Tech Salary Survey provides comprehensive Canadian compensation data on over 30,000 employees at local, national, and international tech companies.
- Vancouver Tech Journal members receive a 10% discount on TAP Network’s Tech Salary Survey.
Contact [email protected] to redeem your perks or learn more about Vancouver Tech Journal membership.
🗞️ In other news
VodaSafe, an advanced underwater scanner, took home the top prize for delivering the most promising pitch at the Western Angel Investment Summit. Learn more »
Lucent Bio, which develops sustainable solutions for crop nutrition, won the SGV Ventures Scale-up Award. Learn more »
Vancouver’s Verdi and Barrelwise are two of the 16 companies from across Canada and the U.K. to be selected as part of Saskatchewan credit union Conexus’ second cohort of its Agtech Accelerator. Read more »
Researchers from the University of British Columbia and BC Cancer have developed an AI model that predicts cancer patient survival by reading doctor’s notes. Learn more »
Loop Energy’s hydrogen fuel cell solutions will be used by Californian material handling vehicle manufacturer Wiggins Lift Company for its new hydrogen-powered eBull forklift. Learn more »
For all local news and our daily coverage, become a Vancouver Tech Journal member »
Innovation Plaza opens at SFU Surrey campus
The newly renovated space is home to the Quantum Algorithms Institute and the B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation. A partner message from Invest Surrey. Start reading »
💡 Ideas and insights
Erin Gee, Vancouver Tech Journal contributor, writing in D3crypto: Telegram is going to take crypto payments. That’s a problem.
Chris Neumann, general partner of Panache Ventures, writes about the difficult decision that startup founders nearing the end of their runway have to make at this time of the year. When to Walk Away »
Daniella Ingrao, marketing manager at Produce8, shares how work analytics can address collaboration inefficiencies. Five ways work analytics will transform how you’re managing digital teamwork »
Sharlene Gandhi, editorial fellow at Future of Good, writes about how social purpose organizations are adopting AI tools such as ChatGPT. Future of Good »
Microsoft Vancouver launched its #microsoftlife series, featuring two staff members that discuss their careers in data and product design. Instagram »
💼 Vancouver Tech Jobs
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.
- Proxima HQ is hiring a Software Architect
- 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 »
👋 Before you go…
One little ask from me to you: Vancouver Tech Journal relies on you to fund local journalism and to keep building your community. If you can spare $8.25, please consider becoming a member. (And you’ll also get access to a whole load of exclusive perks!)