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BetaKit

@betakit.com
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Award-winning coverage of Canadian startups and tech innovation since 2012.

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BetaKit @betakit.com · 1h
Today's edition of The BetaKit Newsletter explores the areas where Indigenous tech is setting the pace. Plus: 📈 Anthropic’s curious IPO filing 🇨🇦’s top-growing companies 🐇 A Hopper co-founder departs
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Setting the pace in data sovereignty and AI adoption
Plus: Canada’s fastest-growing tech companies.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 29/09/2026
Most rec basketball leagues give you a schedule and (maybe) a jersey. Brodie Rec aims for a pro-style experience, including stats, streamed games, and highlight clips. The company is growing off that model, and aims to be in 100 North American cities by the end of next year.
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How Brodie Rec is turning recreational basketball into a $10-million growth story | BetaKit
Toronto app that helps you feel like a basketball star wants to be in 100 North American cities by the end of 2027.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 29/09/2026
Earlier this year, Plurilock cut executive roles and compensation while deliberately pulling back from lower-margin resale activity. Now, Quantum eMotion wants to bring the company into a broader Canadian cybersecurity platform.
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Quantum eMotion to acquire fellow Canadian cybersecurity firm Plurilock | BetaKit
Quantum-focused Montréal firm wants to use Victoria-based counterpart to broaden cybersecurity offerings.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 29/09/2026
After eight years at General Fusion, Henry Gould has started his own company, Daedal Systems, to make a standardized component for fusion power companies.
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Ex-General Fusion employee raises $4 million USD for fusion diagnostics startup Daedal | BetaKit
The Toronto-based firm provides plasma measurement systems for fusion companies.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 29/09/2026
Last week, Sentinel R&D CEO Kath Intson said her company is now “selling directly to the Ukrainians.” This is a separate deal from the joint venture with Airlogix that Sentinel signed earlier this year. But Sentinel won't clarify exactly who the new Ukrainian customers are.
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Sentinel R&D CEO says drone company is “selling directly to the Ukrainians” | BetaKit
The defence tech company previously signed a deal with Airlogix to supply Canadian drones to Ukraine.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 29/09/2026
AdBio’s Montréal office will be its first office outside Paris and Barcelona. The firm says Québec offers the mix it looks for: strong academic science, experienced drug-development talent, and an established life sciences sector.
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French VC firm AdBio expands into Canada with Montréal office | BetaKit
Québec fund Fonds de solidarité FTQ is backing AdBio’s 120-million-euro Fund III.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 28/09/2026
ThoughtWire has launched an Ontario Superior Court of Justice-approved process to find interested buyers or investors by October 20.
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ThoughtWire explores sale after debt-fuelled growth strategy fails | BetaKit
The Toronto software firm has struggled to bounce back from COVID-19 and a high debt burden.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 28/09/2026
Biossil exited stealth in April after quietly working on buying and resurrecting drug projects for three years. Its latest, $153-million round was led by the OpenAI Startup Fund.
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Biossil hits unicorn status with new OpenAI-led financing | BetaKit
Toronto-based biotech raises $153 million USD to give discarded drug candidates an AI-assisted second chance.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 28/09/2026
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston recently changed his rhetoric on the possibility of data centres in the province. If you're wondering where each province stands on the issue (and what policies are actually in place), we've got you covered.
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Here’s how every Canadian province and territory is governing data centres | BetaKit
From stand-alone policies to disincentivizing investment, here’s a guide from coast to coast.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 28/09/2026
On The BetaKit Podcast, @mila-quebec.bsky.social’s Alex Shee discusses the cultural shift from academic institutions toward supporting the entrepreneurial journeys of locally trained AI scientists, and the “generational opportunity” it could create for Canada. betakit.com/how-canada-c...
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How Canada can keep its AI talent | BetaKit
Mila’s Alex Shee explains the cultural shift from academic institutions that could help create a “generational opportunity” for Canada.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 28/09/2026
Prime Minister @mark-carney.bsky.social has said he won’t tell Canada’s pension funds what to do. @canadianshieldinstitute.ca thinks he should reconsider. Also in The BetaKit Newsletter: 🧭Dispatch from Nrth Festival ⚾Clio CEO wants “home-field advantage” 🍁 Companies stand against Bill C-22
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Should Carney compel pension funds to invest in Canada? | BetaKit
Plus: Waabi COO says autonomous trucks are ready to be deployed.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 25/09/2026
Laura Lenz is the new head of OMERS Ventures, taking over for former head Saar Pikar. Pikar left two months ago, marking the third executive change in OMERS in as many years.
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Laura Lenz appointed new head of OMERS Ventures | BetaKit
The longtime VC replaces Saar Pikar after OMERS's third executive departure in three years.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 25/09/2026
AI Minister @evansolomon.bsky.social says the $162-million investment in @mitacscanada.bsky.social will create 10,000 paid AI work placements for students and recent graduates from AI-related programs. betakit.com/feds-give-mi...
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Feds give Mitacs $162 million for AI internship program for smaller Canadian businesses | BetaKit
Federal government will fund 10,000 paid placements for students and recent graduates in AI-related fields.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 25/09/2026
Toast's latest survey shows that 35% of women had senior sponsorship, compared to 51% of men. But the main gap isn't at the very bottom or very top of the career ladder, but in the middle: at the manager and senior level.
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Women without sponsorship face larger barriers to career advancement in tech, new report finds | BetaKit
A Toast Institute report says women in middle management receive significantly less professional sponsorship.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 25/09/2026
At Nrth festival, Waabi COO Lior Ron said the company’s autonomous driving system is highly mature and claimed it’s ready to be deployed “today,” barring some additional work from Waabi’s partner.
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Waabi COO says company’s autonomous trucks are ready for deployment | BetaKit
Lior Ron foresees deployment across the Southern US by next year after Volvo completes technical validation.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 24/09/2026
Thinkific has decided to focus completely on mid-market and enterprise customers. These job cuts, which represent a 30-percent reduction in Thinkific’s workforce, are mostly concentrated in areas that supported its SMB customers.
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Thinkific lays off 30 percent of employees as part of enterprise push | BetaKit
The EdTech company has cut 96 employees as it pulls away from SMB customers.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 24/09/2026
Devolutions, one of the biggest tech players in the small Québec town of Lavaltrie, is getting into the corporate VC game.
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Devolutions wants to support Québec’s IT ecosystem with corporate venture capital | BetaKit
IT services firm has already invested $10 million CAD in tech firms through its new venture division.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 24/09/2026
BlackBerry's recent earnings wins come largely thanks to its QNX division, which develops software for automakers. This is the third quarter in a row of revenue growth of over 20% for QNX. betakit.com/blackberry-r...
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BlackBerry reports strong Q2 earnings thanks to automotive software revenue jump | BetaKit
Former handheld giant raises its fiscal outlook after surpassing its own expectations.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 24/09/2026
When Clio was a young company, CEO Jack Newton says Canadian investors tried to get a “hometown discount." Now, he says Canada needs the opposite: local investors competing harder to keep ambitious companies financed here.
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Clio CEO Jack Newton says Canadian VCs need to give companies a “home-field advantage” | BetaKit
Canadian VCs have pushed Clio for discounted terms. Newton argues it should be the other way around.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 24/09/2026
The $10-million partnership between Woveo and BDC will provide access to loans of up to $25,000 for SMBs across Canada.
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Woveo partners with BDC on business microlending program | BetaKit
The $10-million project aims to expand capital access for small and medium-sized businesses.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 24/09/2026
Axya plans to use the capital to expand its platform, grow its 40-person team to 55 by the end of 2026, and deepen its presence outside of Canada.
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Axya closes $17-million Series A to modernize manufacturing procurement | BetaKit
McRock, Yamaha, CIBC back Axya’s plan to help manufacturers automate sourcing and purchasing.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 24/09/2026
In BetaKit's Wednesday newsletter, @madisonmcla.bsky.social looks into why the tech world is gaga over Tailscale. Plus: Xanadu’s lockup lifts Muse buys on Shopify BlackBerry is so back
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Why Silicon Valley is taken with Tailscale
Plus: Nvidia, AMD sign Canada's data centre framework.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 23/09/2026
Calgary has spent years trying to diversify beyond oil and gas. And Fortinet says that industrial modernization creates a strong need for cybersecurity around operational technology, making Calgary a logical place for its $30-million expansion.
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Fortinet expansion suggests Calgary’s cache is growing among global companies | BetaKit
The $30-million cybersecurity hub adds another international company to the city’s growing tech ecosystem.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 23/09/2026
The bulk of the investment will go to five organizations: Edmonton’s Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation (API), BC’s Avivo Biomedical, Alberta’s Northern RNA, Ontario’s Qidni Labs, and BC’s Stemcell Technologies.
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Canada invests $67 million in dual-use life sciences research | BetaKit
The funding will support organizations in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, as well as Canada’s five pan-Canadian research hubs.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 23/09/2026
Blair Health started with menopause care, where long waits and limited access can be a problem. Now, the Toronto startup is expanding into other areas. Its goal is to make specialist-grade care available through the providers patients can actually reach.
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Blair Health secures $4.2 million to make specialized women’s care more accessible | BetaKit
The Toronto startup aims to power “specialist-level care without the specialist wait.”
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 22/09/2026
Toronto-based Bird&Be announced a $13-million USD Series A round on Tuesday. BDC’s Thrive Fund and BFG Partners co-led the round.
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Bird&Be raises $13-million USD Series A for fertility support platform | BetaKit
The Toronto startup sells supplements and test kits for reproductive health.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 22/09/2026
The hub is a new initiative spearheaded by the @ualberta.bsky.social’s College of Health Sciences. It will act as an “interdisciplinary and collaborative community,” advancing regenerative healthcare through research and commercialization.
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University of Alberta launches regenerative medicine hub at Life Sciences Week | BetaKit
The hub will unite stakeholders from across the healthcare value chain to accelerate the commercialization of new treatments.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 22/09/2026
Heidi is investing $25 million to grow its Canadian footprint and establish a North American headquarters in Toronto.
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Heidi invests nearly $26 million to establish Toronto as North American headquarters | BetaKit
The Australian healthtech plans to hire 30 more staff in Canada, its second-largest market.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 22/09/2026
Astrus has closed a new, $12-million Series A round, led by Caffeinated Capital, with support from Khosla Ventures, Garage Capital, MVP Ventures, and others.
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With new funding, Astrus prepares to automate one of the biggest bottlenecks in chip design | BetaKit
The Khosla-backed startup uses reinforcement learning to tackle analog design problems.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 22/09/2026
Innovation Saskatchewan has committed $300,000 in funding over three years to continue supporting a program that helps AgTech companies grow and attract investment in Saskatchewan.
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Innovation Saskatchewan renews AgTech Accelerator funding with $300,000 investment | BetaKit
The funding will support the Conexus-backed program until 2028.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 21/09/2026
Several Canadian defence startups have already made their way through NATO DIANA, including Reaction Dynamics and Tactiql. Now, BDC is the only Canadian member of the accelerator’s new investor network. It says joining gives it a “direct line” into where NATO allies are investing and innovating.
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BDC is Canada’s sole entrant in investor network for NATO defence accelerator | BetaKit
The NATO DIANA Capital Network connects investors with companies in its defence tech program.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 21/09/2026
Haize Labs has helped companies including Anthropic, OpenAI, Air Canada, Deloitte, and Epic Games stress-test their AI. Now, Canadian AI rollup company Beacon Software is bringing it in-house to help make AI more reliable for Main Street businesses.
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Beacon buys New York’s Haize Labs to boost AI reliability across its portfolio | BetaKit
The AI rollup firm aims to help its Main Street software businesses deploy AI they can trust.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 21/09/2026
Calgary- and Houston-based cleantech company Kanin Energy received the funding from S2G Investments and Canada Growth Fund.
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Kanin Energy raises $138 million for waste heat to power development | BetaKit
The Calgary- and Houston-based cleantech company received funding from S2G Investments and Canada Growth Fund.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 21/09/2026
Altis Labs has built its AI on what it calls the industry’s largest real-world imaging database, spanning more than 500,000 patient years of clinical information and outcomes. Now, the Toronto startup wants to extend that foundation across more cancer types and more global partners.
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Altis Labs raises $25 million USD Series A to expand AI for cancer trials | BetaKit
The new funding will help build out a platform designed to detect treatment effects sooner.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 21/09/2026
Canada’s AI collaboration with Germany was on full display at ALL IN. For The BetaKit Newsletter, @madisonmcla.bsky.social sums up everything you missed from the conference. Plus: 💳 Wise launches Canadian chequing 🚀 Inside Canada Rocket Company 💰 Amplify Capital closes third impact fund
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Canada is leading by example in AI
With the global spotlight on Canada this week, this year ALL IN drew its largest crowd yet and saw Canada retake a leadership role in developing the tech.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 21/09/2026
Thri5’s founders helped build Loblaw’s digital platform. Now they’re using that operating experience to tackle a problem they saw firsthand: the gap between retail strategy and execution.
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Thri5 raises $5.4 million USD to expand AI platform for retail businesses | BetaKit
The startup, founded by former Loblaw Digital leaders, plans to expand across North America and Europe.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 18/09/2026
Robinhood says Canada is one of its “priority markets,” and that it wants to expand in the country, both in cryptocurrency and beyond.
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Robinhood opens new Canadian HQ in Toronto as Canada becomes a “priority” market | BetaKit
Starting with crypto, the US brokerage aims to bring more competition to Canada.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 18/09/2026
Some Shopify merchants can now directly advertise inside OpenAI's ChatGPT. The integration is only available in the US for now, but is coming to international markets soon.
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Shopify becomes OpenAI’s first e-commerce partner with ChatGPT Ads integration | BetaKit
The integration allows merchants to sync storefronts and advertise directly inside ChatGPT in the US.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 18/09/2026
OpenText and Cohere hope to help large enterprises use AI in more sophisticated ways. Think coordinating multiple agents to automate complex tasks, instead of just searching and summarizing information.
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Cohere and OpenText partner on Canadian agentic AI stack for enterprises | BetaKit
At ALL IN, Cohere VP says the two companies are targeting a similar customer base.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 18/09/2026
Canadian startups were never going to win by spending more than Silicon Valley. But Willson Cross argues they can better compete if they stop limiting their talent search just to Canada.
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Opinion: How Canadian startups can compete for talent without big tech budgets | BetaKit
Willson Cross writes that founders need to not feel limited by borders when hiring.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 17/09/2026
“We don’t want to get into the space of building chips because there’s so much more we could do,” Cohere's Aidan Gomez said during an interview at ALL IN today.
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Aidan Gomez says Cohere won’t get into the business of making chips | BetaKit
Toronto AI company won’t follow competitors like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google in pursuit of in-house semiconductors.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 17/09/2026
The partnership will bring CEIMIA, Animikii, and the Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation together for a pilot project exploring methods of “securing stewardship and exchange of Indigenous data.”
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CEIMIA, Animikii partner with Manitoba First Nation on stewardship of Indigenous data | BetaKit
Animikii Indigenous Technology and CEIMIA announced the partnership at Montréal’s All In conference.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 17/09/2026
OpenAI's George Osborne says Canada is an “obvious place” for the company to look for its own data centre project. Although the company hasn't made any decision, Osborne praised Canada's efforts to solicit international investment and its National AI Strategy.
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OpenAI managing director says Canada an “obvious place” for data centre development | BetaKit
George Osborne also praised the country's efforts to solicit international investment and boost AI adoption.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 17/09/2026
Orbits has closed nearly $2 million in pre-seed funding to fuel the consumer launch of its AI household assistant. The company is billing Bit as “the chief of staff for home."
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Orbits secures $2 million USD to manage home logistics with AI | BetaKit
A16z Speedrun, N49P, Garage back Orbits’ consumer launch of AI household assistant.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 17/09/2026
At ALL IN today, Mila and Mozilla announced a new initiative to develop an open-source, “ready-to-use AI package” that businesses and organizations can run independently. Mozilla is investing an initial $5 million in the initiative, and Hypertec is contributing $1 million.
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Mila and Mozilla announce plans to build open-source AI for businesses | BetaKit
The Canadian government-backed project has received $5 million from Firefox maker and $1 million from Hypertec.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 17/09/2026
Toronto-based MaRS spinout Amplify Capital has closed its third impact-focused venture capital fund focused on climate, health, and work technology startups.
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Amplify Capital prepares to place more early-stage bets with $60-million third impact fund | BetaKit
Ten-year-old VC firm will back up to 30 companies, with a focus on climate, health, and work tech.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 17/09/2026
Wise’s announcement comes amid an increasingly cozy relationship between Canada and Europe. As they explore a more integrated trade and business relationship, Wise appears to be cozying up to its Canadian customers by offering more cross-border utility.
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Wise launches chequing account for Canadians | BetaKit
Launch is the latest in European FinTech’s growing rollout of products and services in Canada.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 17/09/2026
A big milestone for wireless service provider TextNow: the company has earned $1 billion USD in cumulative revenue since launching in 2009. It celebrated by unveiling a public sculpture by Québec-based artist Philippe Pallafray.
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TextNow celebrates $1-billion revenue milestone with public art in Waterloo | BetaKit
Founded in 2009, TextNow’s service is now used by over 10 million people across the US.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 17/09/2026
Calgary cleantech company Cura has closed a $10-million fundraise that will help accelerate commercial development of its low-carbon cement tech, and built out its pilot plant.
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Cura raises $10 million USD to scale low-carbon cement technology | BetaKit
Calgary startup is expanding its team and building a pilot plant near Taber, Alta.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 16/09/2026
.@evansolomon.bsky.social said the government is planning “not just a regulator that can name and shame, but that can hold these big tech companies to account if they are abusive, with billions of dollars in fines.”
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AI minister affirms Canada will have tech super-regulator “with teeth” | BetaKit
At ALL IN, Evan Solomon also teased AI supercomputer selection this fall.
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