Knowlton Thomas
- Writer, Fintech.ca
- Editor in Chief, THE MIDWAY ADVANCE
- Senior Writer, Techcouver
- Writer, Tech Talent Canada
British Columbia
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Articles by Knowlton Thomas
Canada Finally Launches Real-Time Rail to Modernize Nation’s Banking System
After years of waffling on the matter of open banking, Canada has officially debuted the launch of a “Real-Time Rail” system. Payments Canada says that the new national system will transform day-to-day payments for Canadian businesses and consumers by enabling instant speed and settlement, real-time cash-flow visibility, and data-rich messaging through existing channels.
How Upskilling Strategies Can Enhance ‘Workforce Readiness’ in the Age of AI
Adopting artificial intelligence tools appears easy at first glance, but many companies are making an error in their approach. At many organizations, AI tool adoption is outpacing workforce upskilling, according to recent observations from HR advisory firm McLean & Company—which means that while the technology is available for use, workers remain undertrained on how to actually leverage AI effectively and responsibly.
Webull Bolsters Platform with Nasdaq Basic Canada to Boost Market Visibility
Webull now offers Nasdaq Basic Canada on its platform, providing clients with free access to real-time Level 1 quote and trade data across Canadian-listed equities directly through the fintech platform. The service combines data from Nasdaq CXC, CX2 and CXD into a single market data feed, providing consolidated pricing and volume information across the Canadian market.
Is Alberta’s Workforce Ready for the Planned Pipeline of Data Centre Development?
The Information and Communications Technology Council has published an examination of the economic consequences of Alberta’s proposed AI data-centre build-out. Alberta, the authors note, is Canada’s most notable data centre market. The province accounts for 78% of planned Canadian developments.
National Bank of Canada to Acquire ‘Strongly Aligned’ Toronto Fintech
National Bank of Canada is acquiring Embark Student, a Toronto-based fintech delivering digital-first education savings and planning services, for an estimated $226 million. With over 400,000 beneficiaries and more than $6 billion in assets under management, Embark is known as one of Canada’s largest direct-to-consumer RESP providers, with a national brand and a tech-enabled platform for end-to-end education savings administration and investment management.
Medicine Hat Concludes Energy Challenge with Canada’s First Saltwater Battery Pilot
The City of Medicine Hat, alongside Decentralised Energy Canada, has marked the conclusion of the demonstration phase of the Energy Innovation Challenge. Launched in 2023, the three-year the Energy Innovation Challenge combined demonstrations, commercialization support, and investment activities, supporting more than 40 businesses. Five winners were named: Aqua-Cell Energy, Arcobi, Edgecom Energy, Eguana Technologies, and TAKEnergy.
Alberta’s Abundant Energy and Low Costs ‘Attracting the World’s Largest Hyeprscalers’
Rising demand in North America’s data centre market is spurring ultra-low vacancy rates despite active construction across the content. CBRE’s semiannual North American Data Center Trends Report highlights one Canadian market: Alberta. “Alberta is attracting the world’s largest hyper-scalers due to its abundant energy, low-cost land, and a power market that allows operators to control their own supply,” the report reads.
Calgary’s BlueFlare to Develop and Operate Pilot Site for ‘Brooks Corridor’ in Alberta
FingerMotion has signed an agreement for the Brooks Corridor Campus Program in Alberta. Singapore’s FingerMotion and Genius Group are working with Calgary-based BlueFlare Energy Solutions on the project, which will cover up to 100 MW of powered land and colocation campuses across a total of 10 planned sites. The agreements build on an October announcement of GENIUSpark Alberta and its first AI compute site at Hanna.
Venture Development Grant Launches to Support High-Potential Tech in Alberta
Alberta Innovates has launched a new grant aimed at helping local technology ventures with high growth potential attract customers and investment. Supporting Alberta Innovates’ Business Plan goals of improving access to innovation supports and accelerating commercialization, Venture Development Grant brings six previous startup and small business funding programs together into one grant with a single application.
How BioTalent Aims to Upskill Workers and Connect Jobseekers to Opportunity
Last year, TechTalent.ca observed a major bottleneck in the country’s ambitions to lead vaccine and biologics manufacturing. The bottleneck? Despite a strong majority of sector firms signalling strong hiring intentions, there remains a notable dearth of sufficiently skilled workers. In 2025, the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences reported that the country is on track to face a shortfall of 16,000 bio-manufacturing workers by 2029.
Clean Energy Projects Across Alberta Garner Support from ATCO’s Community Fund
ATCO is investing in projects aimed at improving energy efficiency, advancing renewable sources, and increasing education and awareness of cleantech. The funding hails from the Community Energy Fund, which annually supports a cohort of local innovators. The 2026 intake of ATCO’s Fund attracted more than 100 applications from organizations across Alberta.
CIBC Adopts Vault Core Tech from Thought Machine to ‘Raise Bar for Banking in Canada’
Earlier this year, CIBC co-led Thought Machine’s Series E funding round earlier this year with a £30 million investment. The London-based fintech aims to replace legacy banking infrastructure with a unified, cloud-native core and payments platform.
How AI Is Changing the Work of Building a Small Business
For entrepreneurs launching a new business, AI is increasingly becoming part of the daily workflow, helping with everything from strategic planning and content development to marketing and customer communications. Calgary entrepreneur Darren Bondar is putting that approach into practice with MEDIUM, a watch and lifestyle brand he launched with a retail store that opened October 30 at CF Chinook Centre.
ZenaTech Continues Acquisition Spree to Innovate Land Surveying with Drones
ZenaTech is continuing its acquisition spree. The publicly traded, Vancouver-based drone technology innovator has made more than 30 strategic acquisitions so far. ZenaTech is best known for ZenaDrone, the company’s Drones-as-a-Service business. The firm’s latest buys—Byrne Consultants and Hopkins Consultants—are situated in Australia, a region where ZenaTech is seeking to expand its global footprint.
LawDroid Joins Justice Technology Association to Support Ecosystem Collaboration
LawDroid Joins Justice Technology Association to Support Ecosystem Collaboration Knowlton Thomas, November 3, 2026 LawDroid is joining the Justice Technology Association. The Vancouver-based legaltech upstart, founded in 2016 by lawyer Tom Martin, powers artificial intelligence solutions for legal aid organizations, court systems, and government agencies.
Serenity Power Aims to Lower Emissions of Remote Operations with Fuel-Flexible Tech
Earlier this year, Serenity Power raised a pre-seed funding round. The Canadian climatech startup is developing compact solid oxide fuel cell power systems, targeting communities relying on diesel for energy. Integrating advanced solid oxide fuel cells with an innovative reforming catalyst and intelligent system control, Serenity’s systems provide reliable distributed electricity with lower carbon intensity.
What Happens After Hurricanes? How veritree Helps with Nature Restoration
Husqvarna is partnering with Vancouver-based nature restoration upstart veritree to help the Swedish giant with a tree-planting project in South Carolina. The initiative aims to support the planting of up to 30,000 trees in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene in order to restore ecosystems damaged by the storm, according to a statement from the Stockholm-based manufacturer of power outdoor tools and other equipment founded in 1689.
Dr. Seuss Helps Kids Learn the Fun Way with Books-Inspired Universe of Games
Dr. Seuss is back. In truth, he never left, with the Seuss universe representing a multi-billion dollar franchise that has sold hundreds of millions of books and spawned myriad additional media, inspiring the imaginations of children for generations. In 2026, Dr. Seuss is reimagined on the digital front with an AI-powered platform that reimagines over 20 classic titles as more than 1,000 educational games and activities for kids ages two through eight.
EarthDaily Analytics to Work with NASA and USGS on Future of Land Imaging
A Vancouver-based company announced last week that it is working with America’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration. EarthDaily Analytics has been awarded a $3 million task order from NASA to help the U.S. Geological Survey evaluate new approaches for incorporating commercial capabilities into federal land imaging programs.
RBC Bolsters ‘Dollars + Sense’ Program to Enhance Financial Literacy Education
Most Canadians value financial literacy, but the skill is not being trained sufficiently. According to a recent survey from the Royal Bank of Canada, 97% agree that every student should have the opportunity to learn about money in school, and 95% consider financial literacy as important as core subjects such as math and reading.
Webull Integrates AI Tech to Put ‘Powerful Tools Within Reach’ of Investors
Webull is deepening its technological integration through ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Grok. Users of the online investment platform can now connect their Webull accounts to popular AI assistants. The connection runs on Model Context Protocol, an open standard that lets AI assistants securely work with other applications.
Amii to Equip More Businesses with Local AI Solutions Following Fresh Federal Funding
Alberta’s Machine Intelligence Institute is expanding regional programming thanks to additional funding. The expansion, powered by $2.5 million in support from Prairies Economic Development Canada, aims to equip more small and medium-sized enterprises across Alberta with Amii’s world-leading machine learning. The additional funding will see Amii partner directly with more than two dozen Prairie-based businesses.
NanoTess Uses Wound Care Tech to ‘Fullest Potential’—Along the Frontlines of Ukraine
NanoTess is saving lives in war-torn Ukraine. The Calgary-based biotech company, founded in 2020 by Megan Leslie and Julian Mulia, is known for its flagship offering, NanoSALV Catalytic. NanoSALV Catalytic was authorized by Health Canada in 2022 to treat wounds and burns following a successful pilot with Alberta Health Services.
‘Innovating with Confidence’: BC Firms Shine Bright on Deloitte’s Fast 50 List
Deloitte Canada today revealed the winners of its 2026 Technology Fast 50 program. Now in its 29th year, the Technology Fast program recognizes achievements made by Canada’s fastest-growing technology companies, celebrating entrepreneurial spirit and highlighting commitment to innovation across three distinct categories: Technology Fast 50, Enterprise—Industry Leaders, and Companies-to-Watch.
How Concentrating Capital, Brain Drain, and AI Trends are Impacting Tech Talent
As Deloitte prepares to reveal the winners of this year’s Technology Fast 50 program, the organization is laying out the blueprint for workforce success in Canada. As breakout technology companies “rewrite the rules of growth,” the results of Deloitte Insight’s 2026 Global Human Capital Trends survey suggest trends across talent, innovation, and capital.
In Luxembourg, Canada and Partners to Formalize Future-Focused ‘DSR’ Bank
Canada intends to meet next month with international partners to sign an agreement formalizing the Defence, Security, and Resilience Bank. The concept for the Bank emerged after years of research within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and academia.
‘Unrecognizable’: The Office of 2050 is Fast-Paced, High-Tech, and Human-Centered
It feels difficult to imagine far into the future, given high levels of uncertainty in the modern era. But International Workplace Group has gone so far as to predict “The Office of 2050,” and it’s an interesting take. For example, there is the anticipation that neurotechnology—already in development by companies including Synchron and Elon Musk’s Neuralink—will move from frontier to mainstream.
Jetson Home Expands Product Lineup with Launch of EV Charging Tech
Jetson today unveiled new products with an eye toward a more complete “connected home” system. Founded in 2024, Jetson sells heat pump technology—named one of the World’s Best Inventions—directly to homeowners, using a direct, vertically integrated approach. The Vancouver-born firm this week launched Jetson Water, a heat pump water heater, and Jetson Charge, a Level 2 EV charger.
Neo Financial Secures $185M Facility to Boost Credit Platform Funding
Neo Financial recently axed more than 100 roles but the innovator is moving forward with an eye on growth. The fintech firm is collaborating with Canadian credit unions to boost funding capacity for its growing credit platform. The Calgary company confirmed that it has closed a syndicated warehouse facility at $185 million. “Credit unions are important partners in the financial system we want to help build,” explains Allemander Neto, Chief Financial Officer of Neo Financial.
Questrade Unlocks Pre-IPO Investing Opportunity for OpenAI
Questrade wagers that the next era of online investing will be defined by more than lower trading fees. In June, the Toronto-based financial services company unveiled a major expansion of its platform that included AI-connected accounts including secure integration with ChatGPT and Claude. “Since its inception, Questrade has never accepted the status quo,” Edward Kholodenko, founder and chief executive officer of Questrade, remarked at the time.
NorthX Reveals Speakers for 2026 Edition of Climate-Focused Converge
This November, Converge 2026 will connect more than 300 founders, investors, and government partners from across the province. Converge is a flagship gathering of British Columbia’s climate tech community powered by NorthX, formerly the BC Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy. Attendees will hear from companies hard problems, as well as join investors navigating capital flow, plus gain a data-driven view of climate hard tech investment, all while exploring what is possible moving forward.
‘AI Coworkers’ Join the Team as Report Identifies Tomorrow’s Workplace Trends
A new report points to rapidly changing relationships between employers, employees, and AI.
Innovate Calgary Joins National Project to Advance IP Education Across Canada
A cross-Canada collaboration between more than a dozen organizations nationwide seeks to strengthen education and awareness around intellectual property for businesses and entrepreneurs. The agreement connects government agencies, technology accelerators, and innovation engines from Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, and Atlantic Canada to develop a more coordinated ecosystem to help innovators better understand and leverage intellectual property.
KORT Acquires ‘Highly Complementary’ AptPay to Strengthen Market Position
KORT Payments has agreed to acquire AptPay, the Canadian fintechs confirmed this week. KORT, founded in 2016 as Mercco Payments before rebranding in 2024, offers a full-stack, omni-channel, enterprise-grade platform that enables businesses to connect and transact across capabilities in compliance, risk management, and payment processing.
Software Startup Targets Increasingly Scrutinized Sector with Proprietary Platform
Over the past year, The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada confirmed more than $3 million in penalties against casino-sector organizations nationwide. A startup based in B.C. is developing proprietary software that targets compliance concerns for an increasingly scrutinized online gambling sector.
DIGITAL, Innovate BC, and New Ventures to Collab on New National IP Framework
A cross-Canada collaboration between more than a dozen organizations nationwide seeks to strengthen education and awareness around intellectual property for businesses and entrepreneurs.
DIY and Hybrid Investors in Canada Gain Steam with Boosts from AI, Finfluencers
The way that investors gather knowledge to guide their financial decisions has evolved over the years as social media and artificial intelligence render profound impacts across the sector. A new study from Global X Investments Canada and National Bank Direct Brokerage found that more than 80% of “DIY” investors leverage AI or social “finfluencers” to help inform their strategies.
Chimoney Acquired by CapitalSage as Founder Moves on to Next Startup
Chimoney has been acquired, the company’s founder confirmed this month. Founded in 2020 by Uchi Uchibeke, Toronto’s Chimoney built a passport and payment infrastructure for AI agents and humans. Originally focused on cross-border payments, the Canadian Fintech Startup-to-Watch pivoted in late 2025 to address the AI economy, providing licensed wallets, W3C digital identity, and policy controls for autonomous agents and Users.
Calgary Tech Startup Equips Autonomous Systems with Next-Level Vision
A company based out of Calgary is developing camera-based, AI-powered, 3-D vision technology for drones and other robotics. Using proprietary technology, Vision3x aims to provide a complete picture of an object or environment in real time, with powerful use cases across the defence and agriculture sectors. The startup was founded by chief executive officer Dr. Uzma Ahmed Din, who graduated from the University of Calgary.
Victoria’s Shift Adds Ad Blocker Features to Browser, Giving Users More Control
Shift Browser has launched an ad-blocking tool. The Victoria-based startup, which unveiled its specialty Browser in 2025, says that the configurable Shift Blocker does not require an extension but rather is built in to the app. “Our users come to Shift because they want more say in how they browse,” says chief executive officer Neil Henderson.
Simplii Enhances App and Refreshes Brand with Emphasis on Lower Friction
Simplii Financial this week unveiled what it describes as the “next evolution” of the Canadian institutions digital banking experience. The Toronto-based digital-only bank has launched an “enhanced app” with new tools alongside a “refreshed brand.” The enhancement isn’t necessarily all about adding new stuff, however—true to the firm’s name, Simplii’s update is as much about streamlining offerings and smoothing out the experience, according to company head Atanaska Novakova.
Vresk Helps Users Directly Compare the Output of Different AI Models
Artificial intelligence technology is being actively advanced by a slew of high-tech firms, who are constantly competing to remain ahead of an ever-steepening curve. For everyday users, the pace of change can be disorienting, and differences between models can quickly overwhelm the less tech-literate among us. A UBC Sauder School of Business graduate has developed a tool to help.
Rogers Catalyst Launches Program to Help Build Cybersecurity Skills in Canada
A new nationwide initiative is seeking to patch holes in Canada’s cybersecurity talent pipeline. The Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, based out of Toronto Metropolitan University, has launched Cyber Clinics Canada. Backed by more than $3 million in funding from Google.org, Cyber Clinics Canada will connect Canadian postsecondary institutions with cybersecurity students for hands-on experience while providing community organizations with access to critical support.
Webull Challenges Canadian Investors to Battle-Test Their Best Trading Tactics
A financial technology firm wants Canadians to put forth their best and boldest trading strategies in an effort to out-perform all peers for prizes. But while the cash for winners may be real, investors won’t have to actually risk everything in order for a chance at victory. Webull Corporation’s Canadian subsidiary this week launched The Bull Run Challenge.
Manulife’s New Enterprise Platform a ‘Critical Step’ to Becoming ‘Truly AI-Powered’
Manulife this week announced the launch of a proprietary enterprise AI platform.
AI Is Giving Workers Hours Back. What Should Employers Do With the Time?
Artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming part of the regular workweek — and for some employees, it may already be freeing up hours of working time. A State of AI 2026 survey from Canadian business law firm Prelia found that 30% of respondents estimate AI saves an average of four or more hours per week for each employee who uses it. Overall, 68% estimate savings of at least one hour weekly.
TD’s Layer 6 Expands Portfolio of AI Solutions with Agentic Mortgage Tools
One of Canada’s biggest banks is expanding its utilization of agentic artificial intelligence technologies.
Cohere Expands with New Ottawa Office to Tap ‘Deep Pool of Technical Talent’
Cohere is expanding in Canada with the opening of its first office in Ottawa. The company, founded in Toronto in 2019, builds AI models for the enterprise crowd, powering solutions for institutions such as the Royal Bank of Canada and Bell. The office is situated adjacent to Lansdowne Park and will serve the region’s roughly 30 employees, who span roles across engineering, infrastructure, security, and sovereign AI functions. “Canada is home for Cohere,” says cofounder Aidan Gomez.
Woveo Collabs with BDC on Lending Program for Canadian Entrepreneurs
Woveo this month announced a lending initiative with the Business Development Bank of Canada. Calgary-based, AI-powered Woveo helps financial institutions and community organizations expand access to affordable small-business credit. Woveo is collaborating with BDC on a $10 million micro-lending program, the pair confirmed.
Calgary Fintech Partners with BDC to Power Small Business Lending Across Canada
Calgary-based, AI-powered Woveo helps financial institutions and community organizations expand access to affordable small-business credit. The fintech this month announced a lending initiative with the Business Development Bank of Canada, collaborating on a $10 million micro-lending program.
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