Vancouver’s tech ecosystem continues to thrive as one of Canada’s most dynamic hubs for innovation and entrepreneurship. The city now boasts a tech workforce of nearly 150,000, making it Canada’s third-largest metropolitan area by tech employment.
Known for its diverse talent pool, strong government support, and proximity to U.S. markets, Vancouver fosters a fertile environment for startups across industries, from cleantech and AI to food innovation and legal tech.
We have much to look forward to across the province in 2025 and what better way to kick off the year than to detail our watchlist of 10 homegrown startups.
From Atome Bakery’s artisanal food delivery revolution to Veritree’s technology-driven reforestation efforts, these companies showcase the city’s ingenuity and resilience. Together, they underscore why Vancouver remains a beacon for cutting-edge technology and sustainable business practices.
Atome Bakery
Atome Bakery, co-founded by Alice Couderc and Lucas Navilloz, is a Vancouver-based startup delivering healthy, frozen sourdough bread and pastries made with locally sourced flour.
In 2024, Atome Bakery won Startup TNT’s first BC Summit, securing a $100,000 investment to scale its delivery service and make artisanal bread more accessible across British Columbia, Alberta, and all western US states. Their innovative approach to traditional baking methods positions them as a company to watch in the evolving food delivery market.
Defang
Defang Software Labs, founded in 2022 by Lionello Lunesu and Prakash Sundaresan, simplifies cloud application development and deployment. Their innovative approach allows developers to quickly go from prompt to an application outline using the Defang AI agent.
Developers can then deploy the application to the cloud of their choice — AWS, GCP, or DigitalOcean — in minutes with a single command, with all the heavy lifting such as configuring networking, compute, storage, etc. all taken care of automatically. In 2024, Defang was selected for the Google for Startups Accelerator, the only company so chosen from BC, positioning them as a notable company to watch in the cloud computing space.
Indiegraf
Founded in 2020 by sister duo Erin Millar and Caitlin Havlak, Indiegraf is transforming local journalism by providing a “media business-in-a-box” solution. Their platform equips independent publishers with tools like website builders, ad management systems, and growth services, enabling sustainable community-focused news outlets.
In 2024, Indiegraf secured a $2.2 million seed funding round led by StandUp Ventures to further its mission of empowering media entrepreneurs. Last year renowned tech investor Roger McNamee joined Indiegraf’s board of directors, bringing decades of experience to support the company’s expansion. Indiegraf’s innovative approach addresses the decline of traditional news models, making it a pivotal player in revitalizing local journalism.
MATT3R
MATT3R, founded in 2021 by serial entrepreneur Hamid Abdollahi, is a Vancouver-based startup specializing in AI-driven solutions for road safety. Its flagship product, the K3Y device, upgrades Tesla’s built-in cameras into smart dashcams that record footage and intelligently flag events such as honks and harsh braking. The footage is accessible via the CONSOL3 mobile app for iOS and Android.
In 2024, MATT3R partnered with the DIMO Foundation, enabling Tesla owners to earn rewards by sharing driving data. The company has raised $2 million in pre-seed funding from Vancouver-based investors, fuelling the development of innovative products. One of these is a fleet management solution that automates incident reporting and evidence retrieval, offering seamless oversight for fleet operators.
Naqi Logix
Naqi Logix, a neurotech startup founded by Mark Godsy and Dave Segal, is redefining human-device interactions with its groundbreaking Naqi Neural Earbud. Naqi’s patented technology converts facial micro-gestures—like jaw clenches and eyebrow lifts—into digital commands noninvasively, enabling hands-free, voice-free, screen-free control of devices ranging from computers to wheelchairs.
Recognized as one of TIME’s “Best Inventions of 2023” and a 2024 Edison Award Gold winner, Naqi is partnering with global companies to revolutionize accessibility, productivity, and entertainment. With a mission to create technologies that bridge people and devices, Naqi Logix empowers users to command their world seamlessly.
Quandri
Founded in early 2021 by brothers Jackson and Jamieson Fregeau, Quandri specializes in deploying digital workers—software bots—to automate high-volume, repetitive tasks for companies, particularly within the insurance sector. These bots operate error-free at high speed and can reduce costs by up to 50% compared to human counterparts.
In 2022, Quandri secured $2 million in seed funding from investors including Aviso Ventures, Good News Ventures, and N49P Ventures, aiming to expand their team and develop additional insurtech bots. The company has been recognized as a top startup in British Columbia, making it to Round 3 in the New Ventures BC Competition.
SkyAcres
SkyAcres Agrotechnologies, founded in 2021 by CEO Ishaan Kohli, is a Surrey-based startup revolutionizing agriculture with energy-efficient aeroponic vertical farming systems. Their technology enables the conversion of underutilized spaces into smart indoor farms, promoting sustainable and decentralized food production.
In 2024, SkyAcres was selected for the Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Founders program, enhancing their AI-driven marketplace. They were also finalists in the Grow-NY Food and Agriculture Innovation Competition, competing for a share of $3 million in prize money. SkyAcres’ commitment to fostering food sovereignty and addressing food insecurity positions them as a key player in the future of sustainable agriculture.
TIMEZYX
TIMEZYX, a cleantech startup, specializes in real-time digital twin technology to help cities and infrastructure adapt to extreme climate events. Founded in 2021 by Kamyab Zandi and Adele Khavari, the company has garnered significant attention for its innovative solutions.
In 2024, TIMEZYX won the top prize in the New Ventures BC Competition, securing the $110,000 Innovate BC First Place Prize. Their Digital Twin Lab performs computations up to 1,000 times faster than existing solutions, attracting partnerships with institutions like Stanford University. As climate risks intensify, TIMEZYX’s technology offers a proactive approach to infrastructure resilience, making it a compelling company to watch in 2025.
Veritree
Veritree, a startup founded in 2021 by Derrick Emsley, specializes in providing verified climate solutions through technology-driven reforestation efforts. The company offers businesses a platform to invest in tree planting with confidence, ensuring transparency and measurable impact.
In 2024, Veritree was recognized as one of Canada’s most investable cleantech ventures in the Foresight 50 list. Additionally, it received a Companies-to-Watch award from Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50 program, highlighting its rapid growth and potential. Veritree’s innovative approach to verified reforestation positions it as a key player in the fight against climate change.
Walter
Walter, founded in 2022 by serial entrepreneur Ryan Wilson, is a startup revolutionizing corporate legal workflows. The company streamlines equity management, entity data centralization, and document automation, enhancing efficiency for law firms and their clients.
In 2023, Walter secured a $3.5 million seed round from investors including Clio co-founder Rian Gauvreau and Nimbus Synergies CEO Paul Geyer. In 2024, Walter achieved ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and SOC 2 Type 2 certifications, underscoring its commitment to security and partnered with Fasken’s Emerging Technology Group to automate early-stage legal services for startups across Canada. Walter’s innovative solutions position it as a key player in legal technology.
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