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🌟 From Hackathon to $100M+ Exit: Lessons from Later 🌟 In the heart of Vancouver, Later transformed from a hackathon prototype to a $40M ARR business, ultimately acquired for over $100M in 2022. Co-founder Ian MacKinnon recently shared his journey on The Product Market Fit Show podcast, revealing key insights into scaling a SaaS company outside of Silicon Valley. 🛠 Key Takeaways: Start small and solve specific problems. Embrace simplicity—iterate fast, over-engineer less. Leverage Vancouver’s talent, accelerators, and supportive community. Content marketing + SEO = a powerhouse growth strategy. Later’s story proves that Vancouver startups can achieve global impact with the right focus and strategy.

Are you looking to fast-track your career in tech? Don’t miss the Careers In Technology and Innovation (CITI) event happening this week in Vancouver. The CITI online community serves as a comprehensive resource to help you grow and thrive in the tech industry. Whether you’re exploring your options or ready to take the next step, this is your chance to connect with leading companies and industry experts. “Where Do You Fit? Startup, Scaleup, or Enterprise” is the theme of this unique career exploration event, designed to help you understand your place in Vancouver’s thriving tech ecosystem. Taking place on November 27, the event will feature representatives from some of Vancouver’s top tech employers, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Clio - Cloud-Based Legal Technology, Later, and more.

Vancouver-based Maximum Contrast has unveiled Lumos XR, a groundbreaking extended reality platform poised to transform how brands connect with consumers in marketing and retail. Powered by cutting-edge features like gesture-based interactions, voice activation, and gaze tracking, Lumos XR creates immersive, touch-free experiences that are both practical and scalable for businesses of all sizes. CEO Adam Woodhouse describes it as "pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in brand engagement," offering personalized, interactive 3D worlds accessible with a simple QR code scan. Key innovations include: ✅ 4D Laservision for real-time adaptive virtual environments ✅ NeuralMax, an AI voice assistant for seamless interactions ✅ Telekinetic XR for intuitive hand gesture control With privacy as a priority, Lumos XR redefines authentic connections between brands and audiences. Currently raising a Series A, Maximum Contrast is ready to revolutionize the extended reality space.

🌟 The Tech Adoption Journey in BC’s Industries 🌟 At a recent BC Tech event, members shared insights on tech adoption across sectors. Unsurprisingly, Finance, Insurance & Real Estate lead the way, with Manufacturing, Construction & Transportation following close behind—reflecting their gains in productivity. 📉 However, BC’s traditional industries, like agriculture, fishing, forestry, and mining, show slower uptake. Yet, the potential is immense, as environmental regulations and critical mineral supply concerns drive innovation in Mining and Oil & Gas. 🏆 BC Tech members are stepping up: - Semios in agriculture - ThisFish Inc. in fishing - MineSense Technologies Ltd. & Ideon Technologies in mining - Apera AI in manufacturing - DarkVision in Oil & Gas 💡 With passionate entrepreneurs and homegrown innovation, BC has the tools to help traditional industries embrace technology and fuel 21st-century economic growth. Join the conversation! 📅 Sign up for BC Tech’s thought-leadership webinars, explore Scaleup Academy resources, and dive into New Economic Narrative research. Let’s build BC’s future together! #BCTech #Innovation #TechAdoption

🌍 Clean Water Innovation: Empowering Communities Globally 🌍 From rural Kenya to global impact—Dr. Paul Onkundi Nyangaresi has turned his dream into reality with a cost-effective rainwater disinfection system, now providing clean water to 365 students and teachers in Kisii County, Kenya. This Mitacs Inclusive Innovator of the Year award-winning system uses UV LED technology and locally sourced materials for affordability and sustainability. Collaborating with the University of British Columbia, Clear Inc., and MW Technologies, Dr. Nyangaresi is inspiring a global movement to bring clean water to marginalized communities, including Canada’s Indigenous regions. #InclusiveInnovation #CleanWaterForAll #SustainableTech #BCTECH

🌟 Ginkgo Health: Revolutionizing Exercise with AI 🌟 Vancouver-based Ginkgo Health is tackling the global healthcare burden of aging with technology, launching Ginkgo Active next month. This AI-powered app delivers personalized exercise prescriptions for managing and preventing chronic conditions by analyzing over 170,000 health data points. With real-time feedback, gamified storylines, and monthly health re-assessments, Ginkgo Active offers a tailored approach to fitness at a fraction of the cost of personal trainers—just $50/month. #AIHealthTech #PersonalizedFitness #ChronicCare #InnovationInWellness #BCTech

🚀 Boosting Precision in Mining with Burnaby's Rigid Robotics 🏗️ Burnaby-based RIGID ROBOTICS is revolutionizing Canada’s mining industry with its RIGIDprecision platform, combining sensors, IoT, and AI to optimize operations and enhance safety. The company recently secured $1 million from PacifiCan’s Jobs and Growth Fund, enabling it to expand its local team and scale its innovative platform. “Our technology is transforming mining operations by reducing costs, minimizing downtime, and improving environmental footprints,” says CTO Mehran Motamed. #MiningTech #PacifiCan #IoT

🚀 Empowering Growth-Oriented Businesses with Technology 🚀 SiteTechnology is transforming the industrial sector with its full-stack technology solutions. From advisory to automation, they’re redefining what it means to streamline and scale operations. Their recent acquisition of Quicktech is a game-changer, expanding services to include Managed IT and Cyber Security while strengthening their team to 40+ professionals. Discover how this strategic move enhances SiteTechnology’s ability to serve mid-market businesses and deliver end-to-end solutions, straight from President Brandon Peterson, in this exclusive Techcouver interview.

🚀 Startup TNT's BC Summit Awards First Winner! 🎉 Prairie-born Startup TNT has officially expanded west, and Vancouver’s Atome Bakery is the first-ever winner of its BC Summit! The French-inspired bakery, co-founded by Alice Couderc and Lucas Navilloz, secured a $100,000 investment to scale its frozen sourdough bread delivery service, making artisanal bread more accessible across BC and Alberta. 🥖✨ Another highlight? Victoria-based MeepMeep, which landed a “side deal” for its smart disc golf accessories, demonstrating the incredible diversity of innovations showcased at the Summit. Startup TNT’s Investment Summits are transforming seed-stage investing with a collaborative approach that connects founders and investors. With $400,000 to $1M in annual investments, Startup TNT is fueling the growth of local startup ecosystems. 👏 A huge congratulations to William Johnson for making this Summit a milestone for BC’s entrepreneurial scene! #Innovation #Startups #Entrepreneurship #Vancouver #BCTECH

💼 Pender Ventures Closes $100M Fund to Fuel Canadian Tech Growth 💼 Pender Ventures has announced the final close of its Technology Inflection Fund II LP at over $100 million, with significant support from Alberta Enterprise Corporation (AEC). The fund is set to drive growth for scalable Canadian tech companies, focusing on health tech and B2B sectors. “We’re thrilled to welcome AEC as a valued partner,” shared Maria Pacella, Managing Partner at Pender Ventures. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to empowering Canadian entrepreneurs and strengthening the national tech ecosystem. AEC’s backing aligns with Alberta’s emphasis on health and life sciences, sectors crucial for the province’s innovation landscape. Additional support from Canadian investors, including the Export Development Canada | Exportation et développement Canada, BDC Capital, and CIBC, underscores the national support behind Pender’s mission. With this fund, Pender Ventures is poised to empower transformative companies across Canada, driving impactful growth in technology and healthcare.