What's Happened in MB Tech so far in 2025
Taiv raises a Series A and Acquihires, PolicyMe adds Strategic Investors, and Trillick raises first fund.
đ Fundraising
Taiv has raised their Series A! The secret is out weâre celebrating this Thursday with a Fireside chat with Taivâs CEO Noah Palansky. Join us in congratulating one of Winnipegâs tech darlings this Thursday. RSVP here.
Taiv acquihires fellow Canadian adtech startup Local Reach. The deal was a cash-and-stock transaction, and Taiv will bring on co-founders Evan Ferreira and Joseph Liao to their team.
PolicyMe, Canadaâs leading digital insurance provider, announced $30 million CAD in additional funding from strategic investors at Blue Cross Life and Securian Canada, bringing their total amount raised to $51 million CAD since 2022. This funding has supported them in their mission to introduce new digital insurance solutions, partner with major insurance providers, expand their team and invest in AI.
Trillick Ventures has been established Manitobaâs first early stage venture capital fund. The initial fund closing was Feb. 19, followed by a second close March 7. Trillick has raised nearly one third of a planned $15 million. Eighteen people have invested in the fund, which has invested in three companies so far. Check out this article in the Winnipeg Free Press on Trillick.
đ€ Partnerships
Bobo, Canada's first baby super app, has partnered with Koho: This premium plan includes fantastic benefits such as:
2% cash back on groceries, eating & drinking, and transportation
0.5% cash back on all other purchases
4% interest on your entire balance
No foreign transaction fees
Credit Building for just $5/month
đ Launches
Manitoba Government is set to deliver $200,000 for a Pilot Program to Support Black Entrepreneurs and Business Owners. The Manitoba government will provide up to $110,000, in addition to $90,000 through the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, to develop the pilot program, with direction from a steering committee made up of representatives from the Black and business communities.
đ° In other news
The Manitoba Government has established an Innovation and Productivity task force. The mandate of the IP Task Force includes the creation of a strategic plan that will guide Manitobaâs innovation and productivity initiatives as the global marketplace continues to evolve. The task force includes:
Adam Herstein, partner at Pitblado Law;
Clara Buelow, director of marketing and communications, Manitoba Chamber of Commerce, previous lead on the Digital Manitoba Policy Initiative;
Jacqueline Keena, managing director, Enterprise Machine Intelligence Learning Initiative
Gerry Price, president, Price Industries;
Prof. Gautam Srivastava, professor of computer science, Brandon University;
Debra Jonasson-Young, executive director of entrepreneurship, Asper School of Business; and
Dr. Ernest Cholakis, founder, Cholakis Dental Group.
VidDay turns 10 this June! VidDay has bootstrapped here in Manitoba and has recently reached millions of users across 180+ countries (including a VidDay sent to the International Space Station!).
đ©âđ» Upcoming Tech Thursdayâs in Winnipeg
Tech Thursday would love your feedback! If you have any feedback about how we can improve our events, fill out this survey and get a chance to win a $50 Prepaid Visa.
May 29th: âYouâve Joined the âAâ Teamâ, a Fireside Chat with Noah Palansky and Paul Card. RSVP here.
June 5th: âScaleUp Stories: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly.â RSVP here. Featuring:
Catherine Matrycki, Founder & CEO at Callia
David Peters, Founder & CEO at ConstructionClock
John Sparrow, Founder & CEO at Go Oil
Marta Terffa, Director of Credit Risk Operations at Neo Financial
June 12th: Co-hosted by Manitoba Association of AI Professionals. More details to come.
June 19th: âAgile World CafĂ©â moderated by Dr. Katharina Kettner, Founder, Managing Director & Principal Consultant at wave-concepts. RSVP here.
June 26th: âInternational LGBTQ+ Pride Day.â RSVP here. Featuring:
Moderator: Amos Bridgman â QueerTech
Jade Null â Founder, GlitchSecure
Alex Kohut â CEO, Calâs Crops
Kathryn LeBlanc â Owner, LeBlanc & Co. Communications