Hey everyone,

It’s been a busy week across Vancouver’s tech ecosystem—spanning AI, climate resilience, pet health, and even the logistics of feeding large groups of people.

Leading the headlines, Vancouver-founded Gumloop raised a $50 million Series B to expand its enterprise AI automation platform, another signal that the race to build useful workplace AI tools is accelerating. At the same time, our latest event with Innovate BC, InBC, BCIT, and UrbanLogiq explored how a growing group of companies is building technology to help communities anticipate and manage climate and infrastructure risks.

Elsewhere in the Journal, we look at a new incubator focused on pet health startups and the story behind CaterDash, a Vancouver company quietly becoming the city’s dominant catering platform.

Beyond our own coverage, there’s movement across the ecosystem—from a Vancouver caregiving platform expanding nationwide to B.C. startups joining Google’s latest AI accelerator cohort and fresh attention on the province’s emerging quantum sector.

Let’s get into it.

From The Journal

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Funding, Deals, and More

  • Vancouver-based healthtech company Kindly has rolled out its caregiving platform nationwide, aiming to help Canadians in the “sandwich generation” balance parenting, work, and care for aging loved ones through a mix of human support and AI-powered navigation.

  • Foresight Canada has announced the finalists for its first-ever Canadian Cleantech Awards, with the winners set to be revealed at Web Summit Vancouver as the organization spotlights ventures, adopters, and ecosystem leaders advancing the country’s net-zero economy.

  • Two B.C. companies—Vancouver’s EyeCareX and Victoria’s MyHealthspan—have been named to Google for Startups Accelerator Canada’s new AI-focused cohort, which includes 14 startups from across the country.

In Other News

  • A new lawsuit alleges ChatGPT helped a the Tumbler Ridge shooter plan an attack despite employee warnings, raising fresh questions about AI safety, platform responsibility, and how generative tools are governed in high-risk scenarios.
    Read more →

  • Richmond-born entrepreneur David Gens is profiled in Canadian Business for building Merchant Growth into a fintech focused on making business financing faster and more accessible for Canadian companies underserved by traditional lenders.
    Read more →

  • BIV takes a look at B.C.’s emerging quantum race, examining how local firms are trying to carve out an edge in one of tech’s most promising—and uncertain—next frontiers.
    Read more →

  • Vancouver quantum company Photonic has appointed longtime investor Don Mattrick as CEO, with co-founder Paul Terry moving into the role of chief product officer as the company sharpens its commercialization plans.
    Read more →

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