This week on our VTJ Community Slack group, Shobhit asked whether we run any of our Vancouver Tech Morning Coffee events outside of downtown Vancouver. We don’t run many right now — but I’ve been thinking about how we can make it happen! Is that something you’d find useful? Let me know at [email protected], or shoot me a DM on our VTJ Community Slack.

(Oh - and if you haven’t already, be like Shobhit and join the VTJ Slack group!)

Now onto today’s briefing. It’s 1,112 words: a four-minute read.

-Kate, @KateWilsonSays

Diraj Goel, the downturn whisperer

The dot-com bust? Been there, done that. Post-2008 difficulties? Crushed it. Even this current downturn is no match for the GetFresh Ventures founder.

Reworkd AI secures $1.65M in funding in a very Vancouver story

The company, co-founded by SFU and UBC grads, has created one of the planet’s most-used AI agents.

Vivian Liu is Making Auto Easy

The startup founder, who previously climbed the ranks of the corporate auto industry, is on a mission to empower consumer car purchases.

“Companies don't grow if people don't grow.”

Boast’s CEO Alok Tyagi on staying focused in a competitive marketplace.

Dapper Labs lays off 51 in third major cut since November

The Web3 company maintains that it is well-capitalized, despite the ongoing “crypto winter.”

Updates for VTJ members

Read how we’ve expanded our membership offering this week, and become a member yourself.

🤝 Funding and deals

• PacifiCan launched its Business Scale-up and Productivity program, which provides no-interest, repayable funding between $200,000 and $5M per project to support high-growth firms.

• The Province of British Columbia announced an Intellectual Property Strategy to increase IP knowledge for startups and SMEs.

• Digital (formerly Digital Supercluster) partnered with the Coordinated Accessible National (CAN) Health Network to advance the healthcare economy.

• BBTV has signed a content management deal with an unnamed top U.S. commercial television network, leading the network’s digital channels and audience-building.

• GameOn has partnered with Professional Fighters League to launch playable collectibles and next-gen fantasy games.

• For all the local funding news, become a Vancouver Tech Journal member »

🗞️ In other news

• Free wifi is now available on every TransLink RapidBus, powered by Rogers.

• Legible, en ePublishing company, has secured exclusive global rights to develop and publish a select number of new Stan Lee Comics characters and storylines.

• Verdi launched the latest application of its technology, allowing growers to automate traditional farm infrastructure.

• myMomentum was nominated for the WorldFestival Startup Awards and looks for votes to secure a spot in the top 50 finalists.

• Hive Digital Technologies debuted a new name and a strategic expansion to power the future of AI with its Nvidia GPU Cards.

• For all local news and our daily coverage, become a Vancouver Tech Journal member »

💼 Vancouver Tech Jobs

Be like Montra and reach qualified local talent with our Vancouver Tech Jobs board.

Whether you're looking for a dream role or a dream employee, Vancouver Tech Jobs has you covered, with open jobs including:

• Montra Interactive is hiring a Backend Developer

• Expeto Wireless is hiring a Senior Technical Support Engineer

• SunTracker Technology is hiring a Software Engineer

• The BC Public Service is hiring for multiple roles

• UrbanLogiq is hiring a Senior Software Engineer - Product Implementation

• The Coaches Site is hiring a PHP, CSS, JavaScript, Bootstrap developer

• Ari is hiring a Lead Engineer

Check out who else is hiring on our Vancouver Tech Job Board »

Growing your team? Post a job with us »

💡 Ideas and insights

• Boris Wertz, founder and general partner of Version One Ventures, was interviewed on The Hard Part podcast about why fund size should be part of your strategy, why branded categories are too late to invest in, and more.

• Traction Podcast interviewed Immad Akhund, a four-time founder and co-founder and CEO of unicorn Mercury, who shared how the company got to 80,000 customers in more than 180 countries.

• Pocket Sun, investor at SoGal Ventures, was featured in Forbes: Small, diverse, emerging fund managers are changing venture capital

• Chris Neumann, partner at Panache Ventures, reflects on a recent conversation he had with founders in his blog post: Experience vs. expertise

• Keith Ippel, co-founder of Spring Impact Capital and Spring Investing Collective, reflects on the importance of properly communicating market opportunity to investors

👋 Before you go…

Today’s one little ask: Vancouver Tech Journal relies on you to fund local journalism and to keep building your community. If you can spare $8.25 — or $7.23, using the “friends of” code for Kate, James, or Allison — please consider becoming a member. (And you’ll also get access to a whole load of exclusive perks!)