Hi everyone,

It feels like Vancouver tech is entering a new chapter — more grounded, more global, and more ambitious. On November 4, we’re digging into what it takes to level up from local success story to global contender at: World-Class or Bust: The Next Era of Vancouver Tech presented by VanHack and Web Summit.

We’ll hear from leaders shaping Vancouver’s future and scaling on the world stage:

If Vancouver wants to compete globally, the playbook needs to evolve — faster scaling, deeper talent pipelines, stronger founder support, and big-tent ambition. This event will be the place to discuss how we get there. To test how many of you actually read my introductions, this sentence gets you a free ticket to the event.

Now, onto the week in BC tech. We saw global climate partnerships forming, major clean energy infrastructure coming online, deep tech funding wins, and one of our legacy tech names making tough cuts. Below, the stories shaping the ecosystem right now — from battery supply chains and carbon removal deals to healthcare IPO plans, circular tech patents, and global recognition for local innovators.

– William

From The Journal

What Deloitte’s Fast 50 says about B.C. tech right now

Climate, AI, and fintech are maturing—and Vancouver’s founders are building with more focus, less flash.

The pivot that changed everything for Making Auto Easy

Vivian Liu walked into four dealerships with her B2C product. Two signed up that day—but wanted to turn it into B2B.

SPONSORED BY VRIFY

What Happens When a Geologist Joins a Startup?

After years in the field, Kevin Byrne, Ph.D., joined VRIFY to explore what happens when geology meets technology. His first year has been a crash course in innovation with fast-paced sprints, creative breakthroughs, and the realization that exploration doesn’t stop when you leave the field. It just changes form. Read more.

B.C. tech firms dominate Deloitte’s 2025 Fast 50 with 17 companies recognized

From Gearlay to KOHO, B.C. innovators shine across Deloitte’s 2025 Fast 50 rankings.

How Vancouver is shaping Canada’s fintech future

Local founders say the country’s payments reboot and AI breakthroughs could put B.C. at the centre of financial innovation.

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Funding, Deals & More

  • Nano One secures $5M from Government of Canada: Burnaby-based Nano One received C$5 million to expand capacity at its Candiac facility and advance one-pot LFP commercialization, strengthening Canada’s battery supply chain.
    Read more →

  • NorthX backs Canadian carbon removal startups: NorthX committed US$2.4 million across four Canadian CDR companies, adding new early-stage financing momentum to the country’s carbon removal ecosystem.
    Read more →

  • Arca signs 10-year carbon removal deal with Microsoft: Vancouver-founded Arca inked a decade-long agreement with Microsoft to deliver mineralization-based carbon removal, a notable validation of Canadian CDR technology at enterprise scale.
    Read more →

  • WELL Health’s Wellstar raises $62M, eyes IPO: WELL Health subsidiary Wellstar secured $62 million and plans to go public, aiming to scale its digital health services footprint.
    Read more →

ICYMI:

In Other News

  • Reusables.com awarded patent for tap-to-reuse system: Vancouver’s Reusables.com earned a U.S. patent for its deposit-free, tap-to-reuse tracking technology, designed to make circular packaging easier for consumers and operators.
    Read more →

  • Hootsuite cuts 20% of global workforce: Vancouver social media management pioneer Hootsuite announced layoffs affecting one-fifth of its staff, part of a broader effort to streamline operations.
    Read more →

  • HTEC opens clean hydrogen production plant in B.C.: Hydrogen infrastructure company HTEC launched a new production facility in British Columbia, adding critical supply for the province’s growing hydrogen fueling network.
    Read more →

  • Jetson’s Stephen Lake named to TIME100 Climate: Jetson CEO Stephen Lake was recognized on the TIME100 Climate list for leadership in clean tech, spotlighting Vancouver’s role in climate innovation.
    Read more →

  • SFU’s Elicia Maine wins inaugural Innovation Impact Award: SFU innovation scholar and ecosystem leader Elicia Maine received the university’s first Innovation Impact Award, recognizing her contributions to venture creation and tech translation.
    Read more →

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