Welcome to your first new-look Sunday Briefing!
In case you missed it, we’re making some big moves here at the Tech Journals.
You may already know that as well as Vancouver Tech Journal, our wider team produces the Victoria Tech Journal and Calgary Tech Journal. (And if you’re not already subscribed to those, you should fix that right now!)
As we keep growing, we want to make sure that readers of all our publications across Canada experience our first-class content in the same way. That means Vancouver Tech Journal looks a little different in your inboxes and on the web.
Don’t worry — we’re still the same Vancouver Tech Journal you know and love! And we’re excited to bring you the top-notch stories, event listings, and newsletters that you read every week, but in an even better format.
Now onto today’s briefing. It’s 1,032 words: a four-minute read.
-Kate (@KateWilsonSays)
P.S. If someone else sent you this, you can subscribe right here, right now. If you’re already subscribed, consider becoming a member for only $8.25 a month (and you can ask your boss to expense it.)
The province’s startup ecosystem is hampered by a lack of liquidity events.
The firm, which offers the world’s fastest-growing platform for stakes in private venture-backed companies, is valued at CAD $105 million.
The Alice-in-Wonderland-themed bash saw multiple companies register more than one team in the annual ping pong tournament.
The City of Coquitlam has teamed up with Vancouver company UrbanLogiq on a two-year pilot project. Members-only content.
After significant growth and additional funding, Levr readies for seed raise. Members-only content.
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🤝 Funding and deals:
Procurify, a spend-management solution, raised $50 million in Series C funding.
BTQ Technologies, a quantum computing company, announced its ecosystem partnership with Cysic to streamline its cryptographic proofs.
Tribe Property Technologies, which offers tech-enabled property management solutions, has received a senior term and acquisition facility loan for up to $15 million.
HiringBranch, which provides an assessment and training AI solution, has raised $2.5 million in non-dilutive funds to help accelerate its growth.
For more funding and deals news, become a VTJ member now.
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🗞️ In other news:
Ripple Ventures has partnered with Canada’s Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative Inclusive Growth Stream to support underserved founders in Canada with a $7.5 million investment. It will open an office in Vancouver on November 1.
The 10th edition of the Vancouver Economy Report, the Vancouver Economic Commission’s last, is out now.
InBC, the province’s strategic investment fund, shared what it looks for when investing in companies.
Digital marketplace ArtRow launched its platform designed to democratize art transactions.
Foresight, a local cleantech accelerator, released its report on a cleantech adoption program, and how it can streamline the uptake of new technologies.
For all Vancouver tech stories, become a VTJ member now.
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💡 Ideas and insights:
Chris Neumann, general partner of Panache Ventures, writing on his personal blog: How needy are VCs?
Kahlil Ashanti, the founder and CEO of Mantis XR, writing on Medium: The surprising similarities between founders and actors
Charlie Grinnell, CEO of RightMetric and former NFL player, was featured on the Marketing Millennials podcast, talking about his work in developing a marketing strategy.
Kean Graham, CEO of MonetizeMore, shared his tips on why Q4 is the golden season for revenue generation, and why you should be excited.
Christie Horsman, VP of marketing at Thinkific, wrote in Entrepreneur about how employers can help working parents during the busy fall season.
💼 Take your career to the next level
There are hundreds of Vancouver tech businesses searching for talent, including LexSelect, New Ventures BC, BC Public Service, Lululemon, and Amazon.
Check out who else is hiring on our Vancouver Tech Job Board »
Growing your team? Post a job with us »
🙋 Join your online community
Did you know you can connect with your tech community using our dedicated VTJ Slack? We know not all of you can get to our events in person, so this is your chance to network and chat with your friendly neighbourhood tech professionals from the comfort of your home. Join your VTJ Community Slack now.
👋 Before you go…
If you’ve made it all the way to the end of this newsletter, you must be really into tech news. Us too! In fact, we love it so much that we’re growing the Tech Journal family. We’re launching a new publication, Canadian Tech Journal, which will uncover and amplify the most compelling tech stories and insights from across the country. Want to be the first to get in on the action? Join the waitlist to subscribe now.