Welcome to the FinTech Times! In this week's edition, we have some exciting news to share. BetaKit, Canada's leading startup and technology publication, has announced a strategic partnership with Good Future, the family office of Canadian entrepreneurs Arati Sharma and Satish Kanwar. This partnership aims to fuel the growth of BetaKit's business and inject capital as Good Future becomes the new majority shareholder. With this investment, BetaKit's editorial and business teams are set to expand across the country, with new hires already on the way. Stay tuned for more updates on the latest in the world of FinTech!
BetaKit's Strategic Partnership with Good Future
Learn about the exciting strategic partnership between BetaKit and Good Future and how it will fuel the growth of Canada's leading startup publication.
BetaKit, Canada's leading startup and technology publication, has recently announced a strategic partnership with Good Future, the family office of Canadian entrepreneurs Arati Sharma and Satish Kanwar. This partnership marks an important milestone in BetaKit's journey towards growth and expansion.
With Good Future's support, BetaKit's business and editorial teams are set to thrive, bringing even more insightful and impactful content to readers across the country. The injection of capital from Good Future will fuel the publication's growth and enable it to make strategic hires, ensuring a continued focus on delivering high-quality news and analysis.
Coinbase's Ongoing Conversations with Canadian Regulators
Discover the latest updates on Coinbase's engagement with Canadian regulators and its commitment to providing compliant and trusted cryptocurrency services.
Faryar Shirzad, the chief policy officer at Coinbase, recently discussed the company's ongoing conversations with Canadian regulators regarding cryptocurrency. According to Shirzad, the regulators in Canada have done an excellent job of creating a regulatory framework that allows companies like Coinbase to operate in a compliant and trusted manner.
He highlighted the positive collaboration between Coinbase and Canadian regulators, emphasizing the importance of providing a path for companies to register and offer services to customers while maintaining compliance with regulations. Coinbase's commitment to working closely with regulators reflects its dedication to building a secure and trusted crypto ecosystem in Canada.
Willow.ca's Acquisition by Guiker
Learn about the recent acquisition of proptech startup Willow.ca by rental platform Guiker and the impact it will have on users of both platforms.
Toronto-based proptech startup Willow.ca, known for its fractional real estate investment platform, has been acquired by Montréal-based rental platform Guiker. This acquisition brings together the strengths of both companies, creating new opportunities for users.
Guiker has replicated Willow.ca's platform features on its own platform, ensuring a seamless transition for existing users. Nan Hao, CEO of Guiker, expressed excitement about the acquisition and the potential it holds for expanding their services and user base.
Float Launches High Yield Product for Canadian Businesses
Discover Float's new high yield product for Canadian businesses, offering competitive rates and simplified spending solutions.
Float, a leading provider of smart corporate cards and spend management software, has launched Canada's first high yield product for businesses. With Float, businesses can earn up to 4% on their CAD and USD balances, significantly higher than rates offered by traditional banks.
Float's high yield product is designed to simplify spending for Canadian companies, offering a secure and convenient solution for managing finances. With no lockups or minimums, businesses can enjoy the benefits of higher returns on their balances while maintaining flexibility and control over their funds.
Payments Canada's Vision for the Future of Payment Systems
Gain insights into Payments Canada's plans for revolutionizing the country's payment infrastructure and their hopes for the Real-Time Rail.
Tracey Black, president and CEO of Payments Canada, recently shared her vision for the future of payment systems in Canada. As the organization responsible for the country's payment infrastructure, Payments Canada aims to provide innovative and efficient solutions that meet the evolving needs of businesses and consumers.
In particular, Black highlighted the Real-Time Rail as a key initiative that will transform the way payments are made in Canada. The Real-Time Rail will enable faster, more secure, and more convenient transactions, benefiting individuals, businesses, and the overall economy.
MaRS IAF's Journey to Rebuilding and Investing in Early-Stage Ventures
Learn about MaRS IAF's journey of rebuilding its team and its renewed focus on investing in early-stage ventures.
After Graphite Ventures spun out from MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund (IAF), the Toronto-based firm underwent a rebuilding phase. Emil Savov was hired to lead the rebuilding efforts and reestablish MaRS IAF as a prominent early-stage venture capital firm in Canada.
Under Savov's leadership, MaRS IAF is now close to completing its team and is ready to invest in promising early-stage ventures once again. The firm's renewed focus on supporting innovative startups reflects its commitment to driving entrepreneurship and fostering growth in the Canadian tech ecosystem.
Apple Ends Credit-Card Partnership with Goldman Sachs
Discover the latest development as Apple terminates its credit-card partnership with Goldman Sachs, marking a shift in the Wall Street bank's consumer lending ambitions.
Apple has decided to end its credit-card partnership with Goldman Sachs, signaling a significant setback for the bank's expansion into consumer lending. The tech giant recently sent a proposal to Goldman Sachs to terminate the contract within the next 12 to 15 months, covering their entire consumer partnership.
This development marks the end of a collaboration that began in 2019 with the launch of the Apple credit card. The termination of the partnership reflects Apple's strategic decision to explore alternative options in the consumer finance space.
Addressing the Tech Talent Shortage in Canada
Explore the challenges and opportunities for individuals looking to break into the tech industry and help address the talent shortage in Canada.
Despite layoffs and economic uncertainty, Canada continues to face a shortage of tech talent. Many qualified candidates struggle to enter the industry due to a lack of networks and skills necessary for success.
Pablo Listingart, Executive Director of ComIT, sheds light on how Team-UP's programming and structure help individuals successfully break into the tech industry. By providing the necessary training and support, initiatives like Team-UP can bridge the gap and create more opportunities for aspiring tech professionals.
SoFi's Exit from Crypto Amid Increased Regulatory Scrutiny
Learn about SoFi's decision to exit the cryptocurrency space as banking regulators intensify their scrutiny of the sector.
SoFi Technologies Inc., a prominent provider of financial services, has made the decision to exit the cryptocurrency market. This move comes amidst increased regulatory scrutiny of the sector by banking regulators.
SoFi has informed its crypto customers that they will need to liquidate their accounts in the coming weeks or transfer them to another crypto exchange or wallet provider. This decision reflects SoFi's commitment to regulatory compliance and aligning its business operations with evolving industry standards.
Mastering Hybrid Work for Canadian Businesses
Discover expert insights on how Canadian businesses can effectively navigate and optimize hybrid work arrangements.
Hybrid work has become a permanent reality for Canadian businesses, with a significant portion of knowledge workers now operating in remote or hybrid formats. To help companies succeed in this new work environment, industry experts share their perspectives on getting hybrid work right.
Denis Gaudreault, Michael Almeida, and John Trougakos provide valuable insights on building long-term plans, optimizing technology infrastructure, and fostering a productive and inclusive hybrid work culture. By implementing best practices and embracing flexibility, Canadian businesses can thrive in the era of hybrid work.
Binance's New CEO and the Future of the Company
Get to know Richard Teng, the new CEO of Binance, and his plans for the company's future amid recent developments.
Richard Teng, the newly appointed CEO of Binance, brings a cautious and friendly approach to the role. Following recent developments, including the departure of the company's founder, Changpeng Zhao, Teng is focused on leading Binance into the future.
Teng emphasizes the strength of Binance's fundamentals, highlighting its debt-free capital structure, robust revenue and profit generation, and efficient expense management. With a robust timeline for board and financial disclosures, Teng aims to maintain Binance's position as a leading player in the crypto industry.
Diagram Ventures' ClimateTech Fund for Cleantech Startups
Learn about Diagram Ventures' new ClimateTech Fund, which aims to support and invest in early-stage cleantech startups addressing climate change.
Diagram Ventures, a Montreal-based venture builder and investor, has launched a ClimateTech Fund with a focus on supporting early-stage technology startups addressing climate change and emissions reduction.
The ClimateTech Fund has already secured nearly $50 million CAD in commitments, reflecting the growing interest in cleantech-focused investments. Diagram Ventures' commitment to tackling climate change through innovative solutions aligns with the broader trend of increased investment in sustainable technologies.
Wormhole's Impressive Funding Round in the Web3 Space
Discover the latest funding round of messaging protocol startup Wormhole and its impact on the Web3 sector.
Messaging protocol startup Wormhole recently raised an impressive $225 million in funding, solidifying its position in the Web3 space. This funding round marks a significant milestone for the company and the broader Web3 sector.
Despite the slowdown in funding within the Web3 sector, Wormhole's successful round demonstrates continued investor interest and confidence in the potential of messaging protocols. The funding will enable Wormhole to further develop its technology and contribute to the growth and innovation of the Web3 ecosystem.
