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Canadian Tech Weekly #06: Crypto Takes Over Toronto 🇨🇦

Another exciting week in Canada's vibrant tech ecosystem!

Author

Feranmi Akeredolu
May 12, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

🌟 Editor's Note

This edition is packed with sharp insights, standout events, and stories straight from the frontlines of innovation.

🗓️ Upcoming Events

Consensus Toronto 2025

Consensus is the world's largest, longest-running and most influential gathering that brings together all sides of the cryptocurrency, blockchain and Web3 community.

Blockchain Futurist Conference

This 7th annual conference will feature over 100 global speakers, multiple stages, NFT galleries, a crypto marketplace, and blockchain-enabled experiences.

🚀 Deals, Deals, Deals

  • Exterra Carbon Solutions, a Montréal-based cleantech company specializing in transforming legacy mining waste into sustainable materials, raised 20 million CAD in Series A funding co-led by Clean Energy Ventures and BDC Capital.

  • Una Software, a Toronto-based AI-powered financial planning and analysis (FP&A) company, raised $4.4 million in additional seed funding.

  • Amilia, a Montreal-based provider of management software and payment solutions for the community and recreation industries, raised $35 million in growth funding led by Vertu Capital.

  • Zilia, a Quebec City-based medical technology company, raised an undisclosed amount in bridge funding.

  • Fullscript, an Ottawa-based healthcare platform for personal care, received an undisclosed amount from HGGC and Snapdragon.

  • Valnet, a Montreal-based digital publishing and media investment company, acquired Polygon, a gaming publication company, from US-based media company Vox Media. The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

  • Unblocked, a Vancouver-based software startup helping developers understand their code, raised $27.5 million CAD ($20 million USD) in Series A funding led by B Capital.

  • Active Impact Investments, a Vancouver-based climate tech venture capital firm, closed its third seed-stage fund at $110 million CAD.

  • Intrepid Labs, a Toronto-based biotech company, exited stealth with $15.4 million CAD ($11 million USD) in funding.

Did You Know? The first commercial quantum computer was developed by D-Wave Systems, headquartered in Burnaby, British Columbia.

🦄 Startup Spotlight

FrontFundr: Democratizing Private Market Investing

FrontFundr is enabling everyday Canadians to invest in startups and growth-stage companies. Through its user-friendly platform, individuals can invest in private companies they believe in.

The Backstory: Founded in 2013 by Peter-Paul Van Hoeken, FrontFundr was established to democratize access to capital for entrepreneurs and investment opportunities for Canadians.

What It Does: FrontFundr provides a regulated online platform where private companies can raise capital from the public. It simplifies the investment process, allowing users to discover opportunities, review company information, and invest directly through the platform. For entrepreneurs, FrontFundr offers tools and support to manage their fundraising campaigns, ensuring compliance and broadening their investor base.

Funding: As of April 2025, FrontFundr has facilitated over $258 million in total capital raises to date. Notably, in 2024 alone, the platform helped companies raise $68.3 million, doubling the previous year's total. FrontFundr itself has raised approximately $5.48 million CAD from investors.

🔥 In Case You Missed It…

News Roundup:

 📚️ Worth Reading/Watching

Till next time,