👋 What in the tariffs has been going on this week?! The big news of the last seven days has been Trump’s threat to slap a 25 percent duty on all Canadian goods entering America — a move that could cripple Vancouver businesses. B.C. premier David Eby has warned of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods (scroll down to the “in other news” section to read more), and we’ve explored this week how the B.C. government’s tech priorities link to those threats.
Plus, at a time when Eby has warned Vancouverites to think carefully about spending money in the U.S., we’ve written about how Silicon Valley shapes the city’s tech ecosystem, and the Vancouver-built human exoskeleton which won big at Las Vegas’ CES conference. And, closer to home, Digital — the Vancouver-based, federally funded supercluster — has put a whole lot of money into quantum tech, with one project focused on unlocking quantum insights just for Canadian researchers. Looks like both levels of government are thinking local.
And remember: we’re giving away a free ticket to TechExit conference in Vancouver, on February 25 (worth $895)! It’s the go-to event for tech founders and industry players who want to understand the ins and outs of selling companies. Want to win? Everyone who becomes a VTJ member during the month of January will be entered into a draw for the ticket. Want to buy your own ticket? VTJ readers get 20% off with code VTJ20.
-Kate Wilson, managing editor
🗞️ FROM VTJ
Read more at vantechjournal.com
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Make a difference in your community
PHS Community Services Society is 80 per cent of the way to reaching their $100,000 fundraising appeal goal.
The charity provides low-barrier supportive housing, shelter, healthcare, and harm reduction to thousands of marginalized people in Vancouver and Victoria and every day.
PHS was founded in 1993 to support those who had been chronically homeless, and today houses and shelters more than 1,900 people. Probably best known for Insite, North America’s first legal supervised injection site, PHS is a leader in adapting services to be accessible to those with acute needs.
Donations to PHS before February 28, can be applied to 2024 tax returns as the government has extended last year’s donation deadline.
Donate today to support marginalized people in your community.
🤝 FUNDING & DEALS
Thinking about where you or your kid should continue their education? SFU might be a good bet.
The establishment has been awarded an NSERC grant of close to $23 million, to share with 13 other Canadian research universities and health research institutes, to collaborate on the National Invention to Innovation Network. The initiative provides innovation, commercialization, and entrepreneurship training for those in STEM and healthcare.
Graduates from the existing scheme are creating economic and social impact in the cleantech, biomedical, agritech, and emerging quantum sectors. Local alumni include Benjamin Britton of mining industry disrupter Ionomr Innovations, Anat Feldman of biotech giant StemCell Technologies, Sogol Borjian of isotope tech outfit ARTMS, and Evan McQuarrie of quantum darling Photonic.
The program has helped earn international recognition for SFU as the top university in Canada for innovation, and second for industrial application.
🚨 Want all of the latest funding and deals announcements? VTJ members got it in their newsletter. Not a member? Fix that now.
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IN OTHER NEWS
As newly sworn-in Donald Trump said Monday that 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods could take effect as soon as February 1, B.C. premier David Eby has issued his response.
Calling the move a "deliberate economic attack" on B.C. families, the NDP leader said that he supported retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports, such as Florida orange juice. He also didn’t rule out other measures, such as banning the sale of U.S. wine and liquor in B.C. stores, charging U.S. trucks to drive through Canada to get to Alaska, or banning American companies from bidding on B.C. infrastructure projects.
Eby has also established a B.C. task force on trade and economic security — co-chaired by CEOs of YVR, Teck, and the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade — which will make sure that B.C. is coordinating at a provincial level with companies, labour, and Indigenous leadership, “so we’re responding as a province, united, to strengthen our economy to expand our economic growth even in this time of stress,” he said in a press conference on Tuesday.
How will Eby’s bold response to the tariff war play out for Vancouver businesses? Time will tell, with the clock ticking quickly toward February 1.
🚨 VTJ members got 12 more stories like these in their Morning Report newsletter. If you’re not already a member, fix that now.
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The BC Securities Commission understands that securities regulation may need to adapt to technological innovation and emerging business models. They also understand that securities laws can impact the business models and capital-raising activities of small businesses in ways that they might not expect. They take a principled but flexible approach to securities regulation by engaging with Fintech entrepreneurs, executives, lawyers and other service providers. They encourage Fintech companies to seek guidance from them on how the operational and fundraising activities of their business fit within existing regulations, including the securities regulatory framework.
💡 IDEAS & INSIGHTS
Want money for your company but don’t know where to start?
Chris Neumann, former general partner at venture capital outfit Panache and four-time founder, broke down paragraph-by-paragraph how to write an effective fundraising introduction email.
Neumann offers two templates for creating a strong opening passage and how to craft a request for an introduction. Plus, he gets into the nitty-gritty of whether to attach a deck and what format to send it in (PDF or DocuSend), and whether you should include a calendar link or ask the investor to email you.
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👀 CAN’T MISS
January 27 | 🎟️ #VTJTalks: 2025 Outlook for Vancouver’s Innovation Economy: As we transition into 2025, Vancouver’s tech community faces an exciting yet challenging landscape shaped by global uncertainty and local opportunity. Startups and investors are navigating a rapidly shifting economic environment, marked by cautious capital flows, recalibrated valuations, and a growing need for resilient strategies. This event will dive deep into what lies ahead for the city’s tech sector, offering key insights into how founders, investors, and industry leaders can chart a course for success in the year ahead.
➡️ Get tickets
February 26 | 🎟️ #VTJTalks: The Global Risk Playbook: Insights for Tech Founders: For Vancouver entrepreneurs and leaders, this event is your guide to navigating the challenges of 2025. With Canadian political shifts, a brash new U.S. government under Donald Trump, and global uncertainty fueled by AI disruptions, inflation, and evolving supply chains, the stakes have never been higher for tech leaders. Hear from experts in global affairs, venture investing, and startup growth, including experienced founders and advisors, as they share strategies to manage risk, seize opportunities, and build resilient businesses in turbulent times.
➡️ Get tickets
🚨 Remember: VTJ members get early access and 50% off all our events as well as exclusive gatherings. Don’t miss out — if you’re not already a member, fix that now.