Sign in

Sean Silcoff

@seansilcoff.bsky.social
2.6K followers 129 following 108 posts

Storyteller. Newshound. Co-wrote Losing the Signal, about BlackBerry. I cover Canadian tech/biotech/innovation for Globe & Mail

PostsRepliesMedia
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Canadian AI firm Cohere in advanced talks to raise up to $3-billion, sources say /via @theglobeandmail.com www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
Canadian AI firm Cohere in advanced talks to raise up to $3-billion, sources say
Deal would value the company at $20-billion and rank as the largest on record by a private Canadian startup
031
Reposted by Sean Silcoff
Ethan Lou @ethanlou.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
The federal gas tax cut: Great politics and a terrible investment The latest from the Globe's business commentary, by Tony Keller: www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
theglobeandmail.com
Opinion: The federal gas tax cut: Great politics and a terrible investment
Ottawa estimates that the full cost of the measure will be $5.3-billion. Every cent goes straight to the deficit and debt
042
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Olivia Leng’s startup Meissner takes on one of quantum computing’s biggest challenges www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
Olivia Leng’s startup takes on one of quantum computing’s biggest challenges
Meissner draws support from tech luminaries, including CEOs of Xanadu, General Fusion and Ada
000
Reposted by Sean Silcoff
Alexandra Posadzki @alexposadzki.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
My story in today's Globe and Mail explores how Canada's insider trading laws are not fit for purpose when it comes to insider trading on prediction markets:
001
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Big moment for Canadian biotech, and for women’s health: AbCellera stock soars on ‘off the chart’ trial results from hot flash treatment for menopausal women www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
AbCellera stock soars on ‘off the chart’ trial results from hot flash treatment for menopausal women
Drug, called ABCL635, was found during an 92-person trial to deliver significant improvements in the frequency and severity of hot flashes compared to those who were taking a placebo
041
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Has Canada’s biotech moment finally arrived? As the world’s life sciences sector rebounds, Canadian drug developers are poised to prosper. But can the sector avoid getting hollowed out by acquisitive pharma giants? /via @theglobeandmail.com www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
Has Canada’s biotech moment finally arrived?
As the world’s life sciences sector rebounds, Canadian drug developers are poised to prosper. But can the sector avoid getting hollowed out by acquisitive pharma giants?
010
Reposted by Sean Silcoff
Alexandra Posadzki @alexposadzki.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Out of the fog: How St. John’s became an unlikely hub for tech startups /via @globeandmail with @seansilcoff.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/business/eco...
theglobeandmail.com
How St. John’s has become an unlikely hub for tech startups
As stemming the outflow of top Canadian talent to the U.S. becomes a larger priority, Newfoundland’s success story holds lessons for the rest of Canada
021
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
We took an inside look at the private Muskoka conference that draws billionaires, CEOs, the odd celebrity - and this year, Mark Carney Inside the private Muskoka conference that lures Canada’s movers and shakers – including Mark Carney
100
Reposted by Sean Silcoff
Harry McCracken @harrymccracken.com · 13/07/2026
I have a question: Why do hotels leave the TVs on in their rooms, and would the world save vast amounts of energy if they didn’t do that?
531
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
OMERS takes nine-figure loss as TouchBistro sold to Constellation Software for $100-million
100
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
U of T, McMaster anchor new venture capital fund to back life sciences spinouts www.theglobeandmail.com/business/eco...
theglobeandmail.com
U of T, McMaster anchor new venture capital fund to back life sciences spinouts
Fund managed by Genesys Capital also draws backing from Ontario, RBC and Temerty family
021
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Inside the fastest-growing Canadian AI startup you’ve never heard of: a Globr & Mail feature on Ottawa-based @turbopuffer.bsky.social , founded by Shopify alumni @sirupsen.bsky.social and Justine Li. It’s raised less than US$1m and soared past US$100 million in revenues this year.
220
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Beacon Software, a Constellation Software rival, raises $225-million to fund AI-infused consolidation play
100
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
New Kinaxis CEO bets Ottawa supply chain software company will be a SaaS-pocalypse winner
110
Reposted by Sean Silcoff
André Picard @picardonhealth @picardonhealth.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Canada’s AI strategy to fund national health data project to improve care, investment, minister says. Vital program aims to improve quality of data available to researchers, by @seansilcoff.bsky.social, Joe Castaldo www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art... via @theglobeandmail.com
theglobeandmail.com
Canada’s AI strategy to fund national health data project to improve care, investment, minister says
Funding for Vital program, borne from successful Gemini initiative, aims to improve quality of data available to researchers
293
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
@theglobeandmail.com scoop - Nord Quantique valued at $1.4-billion as Fidelity backs Sherbrooke quantum startup, sources say. it's now the fourth Canadian-founded quantum computing company to reach a 10-figure valuation www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
Nord Quantique valued at $1.4-billion as Fidelity backs Sherbrooke quantum startup, sources say
Becomes fourth Canadian-founded quantum computer developer to hit 10-figure valuation
030
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Canadian tech star PointClickCare has contingency plan to move to U.S. if trade war worsens www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
Canadian tech star PointClickCare has contingency plan to move to U.S. if trade war worsens
If forced to pick between Canada and the U.S. for its home base, that country would be the U.S., CEO says
010
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
OMERS Ventures, Golden Ventures, Georgian, Real Ventures, Radical Ventures, other Canadian backers sitting on massive Xanadu stock returns – but they can’t sell yet www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
OMERS, other Canadian backers sitting on massive Xanadu stock returns – but they can’t sell yet
While early investors are subject to a lock-up and can’t sell until late September, some of their paper returns at the moment beggar belief
010
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Vancouver billionaire Ryan Beedie is good at almost everything - but he faces a succession challenge as he nears 60. My latest feature in the Globe’s ROB Magazine www.theglobeandmail.com/business/rob...
theglobeandmail.com
Vancouver billionaire Ryan Beedie is good at almost everything
There’s just one thing he hasn’t managed to pull off: convincing one of his kids to take over his ever-expanding empire
100
Reposted by Sean Silcoff
The Globe and Mail @theglobeandmail.com · 20/04/2026
theglobeandmail.com
Toronto startup Biossil aims to give failed drugs new life with AI
Company uses LLMs to find and repurpose promising drugs that initially failed trials
001
Reposted by Sean Silcoff
The Globe and Mail @theglobeandmail.com · 25/03/2026
theglobeandmail.com
Wealthsimple clears regulatory hurdle to bring prediction trading to Canada
Approval for online financial services platform permits it only to offer contracts tied to economic indicators, financial markets and climate trends
332
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Calgary’s CoolIT Systems had sold to Ecolab for $4.75-billion in one of biggest ever Canadian tech takeovers. The deal represents a massive win for KKR - and employees who participate in a share ownership program www.theglobeandmail.com/business/tec...
theglobeandmail.com
CoolIT sold to Ecolab for $4.75-billion in one of biggest ever Canadian tech takeovers
Sale of Calgary-based supplier to data-centre industry will provide a bounty to owners KKR and Mubadala - and a big payout to employees
000
Reposted by Sean Silcoff
The Globe and Mail @theglobeandmail.com · 19/03/2026
theglobeandmail.com
War, what is it good for? For the Liberals, making excuses
For Canadians worried about expensive housing or finding a job, It’s not the government’s fault, it’s that damn war in the Middle East
532
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
Weston family funding launch of a national digital-media startup, sources say www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
Weston family funding launch of a national digital-media startup, sources say
The non-profit online publication, being developed under the working title Be Giant, is preparing to debut this spring
130
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
Does Georgian have its groove back? VC firm touts recent momentum to LPs as it aims to raise US$1-billion. Globe & Mail exclusive look at Canada’s largest independent VC firm and how it has regained its footing after a tough post pandemic bubble period. www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
Does Georgian have its groove back? VC firm touts recent momentum to LPs as it aims to raise US$1-billion
Its latest fund, its first growth vehicle since 2023, comes after challenges stemming from burst of COVID-19 tech bubble
000
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Bar-stool inspiration turns Taiv into Winnipeg’s hottest startup since SkipTheDishes: The company, which swaps ads from bar TV screens for its own commercial feed using AI, raises US$13-million after 7,432-per-cent revenue growth over three years www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
Bar-stool inspiration turns Taiv into Winnipeg’s hottest startup since SkipTheDishes
Company that swaps ads from bar TV screens for its own commercial feed raises US$13-million after 7,432-per-cent revenue growth
010
Reposted by Sean Silcoff
Brandy Jensen @brandyjensen.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Catherine O’Hara didn’t steal scenes she just showed up and ownership automatically defaulted to her
76129712147
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
Canadian media personalities Arlene Dickinson and Amber Mac cut ties with Canadian Gander Social as social media startup raises $2-million in crowdfunding campaign www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
Arlene Dickinson and Amber Mac cut ties with Canadian social media startup Gander Social
Canadian broadcast stars quit after failing to reach terms on investment or advisory roles
010
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Globe scoop: Hootsuite CEO says ‘what we are watching unfold right now is wrong’ while defending ICE contract /via @globeandmail www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
Hootsuite CEO says ‘what we are watching unfold right now is wrong’ while defending ICE contract
Chief executive did not mention role of federal agents in the shooting deaths of Renee Nicole Macklin Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis in letter to employees
010
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Last month the Globe broke the news that self-driving car software maker Waabi was raising US$750 million. The Toronto company has confirmed that as well as another big development: Uber, an early investor, plans to build a fleet of robotaxis w/Waabi www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
Waabi launching robotaxi fleet with Uber after raising US$750-million
Toronto company’s deal with Uber marks its first expansion outside of autonomous trucking
021
Reposted by Sean Silcoff
🎃I'll be Frankenstein with you 🧌🇨🇦 @syncros.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
Snow-Hawks! Leslieville and the east end sure got more lake effect snow than downtown. wow. #Toronto #snowTO #ONstorm
Cars with giant snow hawks on their roof and 2 feet on the sidewalks.  Craven Rd in Little India
67412
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Globe exclusive: Amateur and youth sports-streaming service LiveBarn agrees to US$400-million private equity takeover by PE firm GTCR; deal requires federal govt signoff www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
Amateur sports streamer LiveBarn agrees to $400-million private equity takeover
The deal, which requires approval from two federal ministers, is part of a boom in sports-related tech deals
000
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Hootsuite CEO tells employees ICE contract will stand as long as agency honours terms &conditions. "We did nothing wrong here," Irina Novoselsky says during internal call Thursday while accusing media of "fake news". latest scoop in the @theglobeandmail.com www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
Hootsuite CEO says ICE contract will stand as long as agency honours terms and conditions
Leader of Vancouver social media management company addresses employee questions in internal call. “We did nothing wrong here,” CEO says
31212
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Vancouver company Hootsuite seeks business with ICE amid financial pressures www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
Vancouver company Hootsuite seeks business with ICE amid financial pressures
Company has secured a project with ICE that involves ‘social listening’ after cancelling a contract in 2020 over employee backlash
021
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
Seven tech firms joined Canada’s $100-million club in 2025 – and 2026 could bring even more (story below)
100
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
Globe exclusive: Waabi closes in on US$750-million financing, valuing driverless truck company at US$3-billion pre-money www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
Waabi closes in on $750-million financing, valuing driverless truck company at $3-billion
Khosla, G2 Ventures and Uber among big investors in deal expected to close as early as this month
011
Reposted by Sean Silcoff
The New York Times @nytimes.com · 04/12/2025
Steve Cropper, the prodigious guitarist, songwriter and producer who played a pivotal role in shaping the lean gutbucket soul music made at Memphis’s Stax Records in the 1960s and ’70s, has died at 84.
nyti.ms
Steve Cropper, Guitarist, Songwriter and a Shaper of Memphis Soul Music
As a member of Booker T. & the MG’s and as a producer, he played a pivotal role in the rise of Stax Records, a storied force in R&B in the 1960s and ’70s.
921261
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
With launch of Toothpod, U of T startup star shifts from winning awards to fighting plaque www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
With launch of Toothpod, U of T startup star shifts from winning awards to fighting plaque
Vishar Yaghoubian is one of Canada’s most hyped emerging entrepreneurs, and has big-name investors backing her eight-person company
010
Reposted by Sean Silcoff
The Globe and Mail @theglobeandmail.com · 23/11/2025
theglobeandmail.com
BHP trying to acquire Anglo American, threatening Teck takeover
World’s largest mining company made offer to London-based Anglo this past week after unsuccessful 2024 bid
132
Reposted by Sean Silcoff
The Globe and Mail @theglobeandmail.com · 10/10/2025
theglobeandmail.com
Dye & Durham stock hits record low after credit agency downgrades
Moody’s, S&P cut ratings, citing high debt, rising costs, soft market - and continuing leadership and governance squabbles
1021
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
Variational AI inks drug discovery deal with Merck worth up to $349-million www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
Variational AI inks drug discovery deal with Merck worth up to $349-million
Vancouver company uses generative AI to identify potential molecules, saving millions of dollars and months compared to other efforts
010
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
Tech founders leaving Canada at accelerating rate, survey finds www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
Tech founders leaving Canada at accelerating rate, survey finds
‘Every founder who leaves ... is one less person creating jobs, paying taxes and building prosperity here,’ CEO of Build Canada says
020
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
How Canada became a leader in quantum tech, one of the most promising and potentially terrifying technologies of the future. Weekend feature in the @globeandmail by me and @IvanSemeniuk
110
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
Payworks sells stake to private equity firm Hg, making cofounder Barb Gamey one of Canada’s most successful female founders www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
Payworks sells stake to private equity, making Barb Gamey one of Canada’s most successful female founders
Hg Capital buys undisclosed stake, its fifth software investment in Canada
010
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
Globe editorial: A rescue plan for Ottawa’s ailing core www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
theglobeandmail.com
Globe editorial: A rescue plan for Ottawa’s ailing core
There are things the federal government can do to help the capital reflect the nation’s G7 status
010
Reposted by Sean Silcoff
Carrie Tait @carrietait.bsky.social · 30/08/2025
1. Great story. 2. The attempted pun in the third graf is unforgivable. That's a spelling mistake. Not a pun.
3223
Reposted by Sean Silcoff
The Globe and Mail @theglobeandmail.com · 28/08/2025
theglobeandmail.com
SSENSE to file for creditor protection as lenders push for sale of company
CEO says the Montreal retailer’s primary lender moved to place the company under CCAA protection to sell without its consent
433
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
BenchSci cuts 23% of jobs, becoming latest company to replace humans with AI www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
BenchSci cuts 23% of jobs, becoming latest company to replace humans with AI
Before adding new people or processes, CEO asks: ‘Could AI do this?’
020
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
How digital health startup VitalHub became one of the hottest tech stocks on the TSX www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
How digital health startup VitalHub became one of the hottest tech stocks on the TSX
Heads-down CEO Dan Matlow has built the company into a prosperous deal machine that also generates strong organic revenue growth
000
Sean Silcoff @seansilcoff.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
How a B.C. drum teacher built the global online juggernaut Drumeo www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
theglobeandmail.com
How a B.C. drum teacher built the global online juggernaut Drumeo
Videos of musicians from bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Police have helped Musora Media gather more than 100,000 subscribers for its music lessons
021