Heading into Summer with More Manitoba Wins
Funding rounds closing, ElevateIP returning, and more events available to keep the community buzzing during patio season
Summer is here, but Winnipeg’s tech community isn’t slowing down. The ecosystem is getting ready for a strong second half to 2026!
Read on to learn more about fresh funding, renewed programs, and new ways to get involved.
Let’s get into it. 👇
A Quick Hello
Before we dive in, I wanted to quickly introduce myself as the new author of the Winnipeg Tech Newsletter. My name is Matt, and I’m a past tech founder (ioAirFlow, exited in ‘22), ecosystem member and mentor (Leverage Point, Manitoba Innovates, North Forge, SEE), and media contributor (Radio-Canada, Winnipeg Free Press).
I’m excited to be the one sharing news about our community through this newsletter. Have something to share for a future edition? Reach out anytime.
Tech Thursday Events 🗓️
💼 July 16th
Topic - Meet PolicyMe: Winnipeg Networking & Hiring Event
Co-Hosted by - PolicyMe
An evening with one of Canada’s fastest-growing tech companies. Hear how PolicyMe attracts, develops, and retains talent, then connect with the team over an informal Q&A and networking session.
PolicyMe is hiring across software engineering and tech roles, and the hiring team will be there. Candidates can send resumes to shahin.hoque@policyme.com.
Speakers:
• Vanesa Cotlar, VP, People & Culture at PolicyMe
• Allison Cribbs, Senior People & Culture Generalist at PolicyMe
💼 July 23rd
Topic - Who Do You Think You Are? A Panel on Impostor Syndrome
Co-Hosted by - Social Entrepreneurship Enclave
Join us for a candid panel on impostor syndrome. Explore the quiet self-doubt that almost every one carries and the practical ways to work through it with four Winnipeg founders who know it from the inside.
Speakers:
Dunja Kovačević - Marriage & Family Therapist + Founder of Threads Therapy
Raez Argulla - Personal Brand Strategist + Founder of Raez Creative
Mangie Chan - Artist + Jewelry Designer + Founder of Sunday Feel
Hasanpreet Singh - COO + Co-Founder of Orbis Assist
Meghan Malcom (Moderator) - SEE + Manitoba Innovates
Brought to you by:
Boast - Supporting Winnipeg’s Innovation Economy
Boast partners with Winnipeg’s tech community to help innovative companies access the R&D tax credits they’ve earned. Our platform + expert approach has secured $675M+ for 2,000+ North American businesses. From startups to scale-ups, we maximize your returns with minimal effort on your team. Explore boast.ai today.
Fundraising News 🚀
OutreachGenius, the revenue capture and intelligence platform built for franchise brands and multi-location home services businesses, closed a $1.4 million round in June – bringing total pre-seed funding to $1.7 million CAD. The round was led by BDC Capital through the Black Entrepreneurs Fund, with participation from Maple Bridge Ventures, DMZ, Capital M Ventures, FHB Remembrance Inc., Front Row Ventures, and more. Read more here.
Five Manitoba-based startups - Aryval, ConstructionClock, ExpensePoint, mode40, and Taiv - jointly received nearly $9.1 million from PrairiesCan under the Business Scale-up Program. Each company is set to advance AI and digital services, while creating over 170 jobs here in the province.
News from our Friends 🫶
ElevateIP is back. The ElevateIP program through ISED has been renewed and relaunches this summer in Manitoba and Saskatchewan for past participants. New applicants are expected in Fall/Winter 2026 to 2027, subject to funding availability.
Manitoba Innovates has two Expressions of Interest open. The organization is looking for a Director, Food Innovation Hub & Hospitality (closes July 16) and Private Daycare Partnership Opportunity (closes July 15). Reach out to Camalee Vitt for the full EOI package.
Tiny Bison Ventures is hosting weekly open houses for early-stage Manitoba founders and the broader startup community. Meetups are Wednesdays at 5:30pm - RSVP here.
Prairie Dev Con is Winnipeg’s AI software development conference happening September 21st - 22nd! Over 50 speakers from global companies like Microsoft, AWS, Databricks, and GitHub as well as local AI leaders like Laivly, Improving, Neovation Learning Solutions, Work Wranglers Inc., iQmetrix, and many others will be presenting over 70 sessions spanning AI, software development, cloud, data, leadership, and more! Learn more here.
Althra is writing $50k cheques for 10 exceptional, early-stage founders across Canada for Cohort 3 (Sept-Dec 2026). They’ve facilitated 47+ direct investor introductions to help teams secure early capital, engineered customer conversations that converted into contracts, and successfully unlocked YC admissions. Apply here.
Job Opportunities 💼
Tiderise is hiring its first dedicated sales and marketing leader – someone who is looking to scale a proven product, and ready to build and execute a sales playbook.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Tech Thursday in Winnipeg is Superpowered by Manitoba Innovates.
A big thank you to all of our sponsors for making these events possible including Boast, Skip, Neo Financial, Informanix, Lotlinx, Conquest Planning, The Exchange District BIZ, Norima Consulting, FeedFlo, Crestview Strategy, Motiv, Amiron Ventures, and Manitoba Innovates.