Why is it that it’s always sunny during the week, and when the weekend comes, so does the rain? Anyway. We’ve got a whole load of stories this week to brighten your Sunday, including Vancouver’s placement in the famous startup genome report rankings, a hot take on capitalism’s role in agtech, and a discussion of Microsoft’s alleged “Vancouver plan” to move top AI workers from China to our city.
Oh, and in case you were wondering — last week we ran a poll asking you what you thought about Mayor Ken Sim’s commitment to hire a Chief AI Officer for the City of Vancouver. For the record, nearly half of you think it’s a great plan, a third were undecided, and just under a quarter think that a city is a bad place to test out AI. I, for one, welcome our robot overlords (if only to remind them that when they take over the world, I was on their side).
Now onto today’s briefing. It’s 1,163 words: a four-minute read.
- P.S. Thanks to our new members Benjamin, Ashwin, Herman, Aaron, Brant, and more, who joined us this week. Be like them and enjoy the perks of VTJ membership too.
- P.P.S. Want to get in on our free membership trial and keep building your network after startup week? You have to claim it today (Sunday), right here:
-Kate, @KateWilsonSays
We dove into Startup Genome’s 2023 Global Startup Ecosystem report.
Read our top member briefing from last week, for members only.
Lucent Biosciences tackles the triple bottom line in an effort to innovate for farmers, transition towards sustainability, and bring value to investors.
The global competition for the Top 20 Individual Leaders in Intelligent and Connected Devices sees familiar tech execs make the list of finalists.
Among the lead investors is local blockchain behemoth Dapper Labs.
Omar Abu Sharar created a mental health app, Mentality, to help teach about anxiety, depression, and stress.
This Ain't Your Traditional Law Firm
Goodlawyer isn't a law firm (in all the best ways). With cutting-edge technology, they've changed the game and made it easier to get the legal expertise you need by:
Accessing top legal talent at the click of a button. Goodlawyer matches you with vetted lawyers who specialize in your specific industry and understand your unique challenges as a business owner.
Making you and your business the priority. With customer support around the clock, Goodlawyer ensures that legal guidance is just a message away, making it faster, more efficient, and tailored to your busy schedule.
Replacing the questionable billable hour, surprise bills, and glaring inefficiencies with upfront quotes and scoped projects that work with your budget.
🤝 Funding and deals
The TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good, whose parent company is all-in on Vancouver, has almost doubled its portfolio to 26 companies through nearly $40 million in investment.
The BC Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) announced $5.2M in non-dilutive funding to speed up the commercial development and global scaling of nine clean energy innovations.
CubicFarms made a $3.8 million sale to Indiana-based produce farm, Vertical Acres.
VoPay joined forces with Parvis Invest to offer real estate investors a simpler, faster, and more secure payment method than cheques or wire transfers.
For 10 more local funding stories, become a Vancouver Tech Journal member »
Moving Forward: Endless Clean Transportation Opportunities
Celebrate Clean Transportation Month: Get an insider's look into the world of cleantech in Metro Vancouver through the lens of Jessica Verhagen, CEO at Hyrda Energy, with Invest Vancouver’s latest Metro Vancouver Visionaries video. See Metro Vancouver’s thriving innovation landscape through the eyes of one of our region’s leaders.
🗞️ In other news
Klue dove into the current revenue climate and compiled its expansive research in this report.
iQmetrix has been named one of North America’s top 50 employers in the Inspiring Workplaces awards.
Visier launched its AI assistant, Vee: a generative AI tool that enables leaders across a business to ask questions in natural, conversational language.
Ballard introduced a plan that is the “logical progression” of the company’s manufacturing efforts.
Have you ever wondered which celebrities would be cast in roles depicting B.C. entrepreneurs?
For 12 more stories you’ve missed and our daily coverage, become a Vancouver Tech Journal member »
💼 Take your career to the next level
There are hundreds of Vancouver tech businesses searching for talent, including SunTracker Technology, Montra Interactive, BC Public Service, UrbanLogiq, The Coaches Site, Ari, and Brainstation.
Check out who else is hiring on our Vancouver Tech Job Board »
Growing your team? Post a job with us »
💡 Ideas and insights
Chris Neumann, general partner of Panache Ventures, writing on his personal blog: Why don’t VCs give feedback?
Ilya Brotzky, CEO of VanHack, joins The Hard Part podcast to discuss landing first customers, the complexities of hiring engineers from abroad, and what makes a good hiring process.
Mehrsa Raeiszadeh, co-founder and COO of Mintlist, joined Boast’s What the Tech? podcast to chat SR&ED applications, working with Boast, and plenty more.
Sarah Huggins, co-founder of Hiive, writing on LinkedIn: In-person work beats remote work. This is my hill.
Boris Wertz, founding partner of Version One Ventures, wrote on Twitter about the current fundraising climate.
👋 Before you go…
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!)