Poetical science

Hey everyone,

It’s been another active week across the BC tech and innovation ecosystem.

Richmond-based logistics scaleup UniUni raised a major round to expand its North American delivery network, while Vancouver carbon-capture leader Svante made a strategic acquisition as it builds out a broader carbon management platform. Ottawa is also putting fresh capital into industries across B.C.’s Southern Interior to help companies boost productivity and reach new markets.

Elsewhere, a Vancouver startup is applying AI to retail infrastructure, Pender Ventures makes the case for courage in venture investing, and a local VC argues Canada may have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to unlock more entrepreneurship.

Let’s get into it.

From The Journal

Kate Bouchard wants to demystify power, money, and modern brands

The Vancouver founder’s new podcast, Branded Assets, blends hard-won startup lessons with sharp commentary on brand, culture, and power in business.

From strategy to scale: Seeing Canada’s defence innovation agenda in action

From space analytics to quantum security, Canadian innovators are already building the technologies underpinning the country’s emerging defence industrial strategy.

After Wilet’s acquisition, Vivian McCormick reflects on the lessons that mattered most

On growth, constraint, and the lessons that only come after building—and letting go.

NorthX launches $3M funding call for women-led climate tech ventures

NorthX has committed 37% of its funding to women founders, who've raised $69M in follow-on investment

This founder left Reddit and Lululemon to build a Canadian social network

Jessica Glowacki's EH! ditches algorithms for neighbourhood feeds and community-led moderation

Here's who's leading investments at BC climate tech firm NorthX

Ka-Hay Law joins Vancouver climate investor to lead investment strategy

Laurie Schultz, after the exit: Why equity, focus, and scale still matter

On ownership, risk, and choosing long-term agency over short-term pay.

Supporting every stage of your Web Summit Vancouver journey

Are you a B.C. startup attending Web Summit Vancouver this May?

The Road to Web Summit Vancouver (R2WSV), Powered by Innovate BC with support from an exciting group of Delivery Partners, is here to help B.C. innovators capitalize on the wealth of opportunities available at the conference and beyond with tailored events and programming that will give you the skills you need to make impactful connections, share your story and drive growth.

Visit the website for a full list of upcoming opportunities.

Vancouver talent is here to stay—if we make room for it

Journalist Taylor Simone argues Vancouver must turn post-Web Summit energy into long-term opportunity for global talent.

Representation isn’t enough if the money doesn’t follow

Simply Sweet Games CEO Tina Merry argues gender parity on the startup floor means little without change in who controls the capital.

Why is Vancouver still playing small?

rhum.hr and BKR Capital's Dana Ramnarine argues Vancouver must move beyond performative optimism to build a real innovation economy.

The local work that made the global stage worthwhile

The co-chairs of Vancouver Startup Week on how a decade-old, volunteer-run initiative prepared local founders for the international spotlight.

Funding, Deals, and More

Richmond, B.C.–based last-mile delivery company UniUni has raised $85 million USD in new financing—combining equity investment and a credit facility—to expand its gig-powered logistics network across North America and support automation and network growth.
Read more →
Vancouver carbon-capture company Svante has acquired Calgary-based carbon removal developer Carbon Alpha, adding the North Star BECCS carbon capture and storage project in Saskatchewan as it builds a fully integrated carbon management platform spanning capture, transport, and storage.
Read more →
The Government of Canada is investing more than $13 million across ten projects in B.C.’s Southern Interior to help industries affected by tariffs boost productivity, strengthen supply chains, and reach new markets in sectors such as forestry and advanced manufacturing.
Read more →

In Other News

Vancouver-linked startup MerchKit is positioning itself as a “tech bridge” between manufacturers and retailers with an AI-powered platform that automates product catalog data and generates marketplace-ready listings for major ecommerce channels.
Read more →
Vancouver venture firm Pender Ventures is making the case for bold early-stage investing, arguing that backing ambitious founders and emerging technologies requires conviction and a long-term perspective rather than consensus-driven decision-making.
Read more →
A new analysis in Maclean’s from investor Boris Wertz argues Canada has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to expand entrepreneurship by reducing barriers to starting companies and better connecting talent, capital, and markets across the country.
Read more →

SPONSORED BY CANADIAN FOOD INNOVATION NETWORK

The BC Companies Building Canada's Foodtech Future

CFIN's Foodtech Frontier list helps investors identify and connect with vetted, high growth foodtech companies. Our 2025 cohort featured 8 BC companies now raising capital, securing national partnerships, and scaling across the globe. Discover what’s making BC's foodtech sector one of the most compelling innovation spaces in Canada right now.

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