Morning everyone,
This week we’ve got an op-ed from Vancouver-based digital marketing educator and Jelly Academy founder Darian Kovacs, who makes the case against digital abstinence, arguing that as Canadian governments reach for phone and social media bans, they risk repeating the failures of abstinence-only sex education.
Here’s what else has been happening in Vancouver tech this week.
-Emily
Events
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Run with purpose, give hope
Join the PHS Run Team at the Under Armour Eastside 10K and turn every step into support for vulnerable neighbours. Your run—or donation—helps provide daily meals and critical care for those in need. Together, we can strengthen community, fight food insecurity, and make a lasting impact.
From The Journal
SPONSORED BY CORNERSTONE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
As the world races to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, leading Canadian companies put their trust in Fasken. As the first Canadian law firm to launch an emerging tech practice over 30 years ago, Fasken is the go-to firm for those investing in ClimateTech companies or scaling companies in the industry.
Funding, Deals, and More
AbCellera has announced a preclinical research collaboration with Jazz Pharmaceuticals to discover next-generation T-cell engaging antibodies for gastrointestinal cancers, with up to $848 million in potential payments to the Vancouver company. Read more →
Vancouver's Light AI has raised $5 million in convertible debenture financing to support its AI-powered health diagnostic platform and advance its Health Canada registration. Read more →
SFU VentureLabs has partnered with Metro Vancouver manufacturer Manterra Technologies to give B.C. startups access to local precision manufacturing expertise, helping founders move from prototype to scaled production closer to home. Read more →
In Other News
Tara Bosch, the Vancouver founder who sold SmartSweets for a reported $360 million, has launched Snackish, a protein-forward potato chip brand now available at Target in the US and Loblaws and Whole Foods across Canada. Read more →
Heidi Health has integrated its AI scribe into Accuro EMR, Canada's largest single-platform electronic medical record system, giving more than 25,000 clinicians across the country access to AI-powered documentation without changing their existing workflows. Read more →
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