During the pandemic, youth unemployment peaked at 29%, over 15 percentage points above the provincial average. As of this month, youth unemployment sits at 12.1%, above the general unemployment rate in B.C. of 6.9%. Premier John Horgan announced yesterday that the Province of British Columbia is providing more than 5,000 youth and young adults across […]
News
Council of Canadian Innovators Expands Nationwide, Adds B.C. Representation
The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) is expanding nationwide with the addition of government relations experts in Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia, to supplement their existing focus on federal public policy regarding innovation. CCI is a national business council representing more than 130 of Canada’s fastest growing companies in the innovation economy, including leading firms […]
Mobile Klinik Goes Mobile With Onsite Device Repair
Canada’s leading chain of smartphone and tablet repair stores built their business in shopping malls across the country but they’re hitting the road in 2021. Mobile Klinik has launched Onsite Repair Units, the first van service of its kind to offer consumers and businesses nationwide the convenience of professional smartphone and tablet repair at the […]
COVID-19 Makes It Clear That We Need A New Tech Approach To Buildings
Until recently, Canadians have seemed to prefer city living – recent data shows that 84% of the country’s population lives in metropolitan areas. And with diverse cultures, access to opportunities, and interconnected vibrant communities, there’s no question why Canadian cities rank as top places to live. But living in an urban centre is not without […]
Kelowna’s FreshGrade Acquired By Higher Ground Education
Kelowna edtech startup FreshGrade has been acquired by Higher Ground Education for an undisclosed sum. Higher Ground has acquired both the FreshGrade tech product and team. Founded by Lane Merrifield (pictured) and Steve Wandler in 2011, FreshGrade is a digital portfolio and communication tool that gives parents and teachers a transparent view of student progress. […]
PDFTron Acquires Document Automation Leader Windward Studios
Vancouver’s PDFTron Systems has acquired Colorado’s Windward Studios, a leader in document automation and generation technology. The deal marks the fifth acquisition as part of PDFTron’s roadmap acceleration strategy since receiving a $71 million growth investment by Silversmith Capital Partners in 2019 and strengthens the company’s position as the definitive document processing platform for software architects, enterprise application developers, and consumers. […]
Fintel Connect Launches AI-Powered Content Marketing Compliance Tool
More than 50+ financial brands and fintechs use Vancouver’s Fintel Connect‘s to enhance their marketing through its performance marketing network and tracking and reporting capabilities. The financial services space is highly regulated, with brands required to abide by strict laws and policies that govern advertising and consumer protection. According to a Deloitte survey on regulatory […]
TraceSafe Joins Future Borders Coalition To Support COVID-19 Recovery
With the largest trade and travel bilateral relationship in the world, Canada and the United States have a long history of innovation. At its height, two-way trade reached $800 billion per year and more than 300,000 people crossed the border daily. Unfortunately the Canada-United States border has been closed for non-essential travel for over one […]
World’s First Tesla Electric Logging Trucks Coming To Vancouver Island
If you’re driving on Vancouver Island, look out for Tesla’s futuristic semi-trucks hauling B.C. timber. Nanaimo’s Mosaic Forest Management has partnered with EcoWest Driven to introduce several Tesla semi-trucks into log hauling. Heavy vehicle operators like Mosaic are eager to replace their existing diesel fleet with electric but there have been no commercially available electric […]
SOTW 005: Nava Ventures
Welcome to Startup of the Week. A column highlighting BC’s most innovative and exciting tech startups. Today, we’re featuring Vancouver’s Nava Ventures. After being awarded first place in Startup Canada’s Sustainable Development Goals Pitch Competition and winning the finance category of the BoomStartup pitch competition—the socially responsible fintech company is looking to change the banking […]