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Welcome to this week’s Sunday Digest, brought to you by Acetech. In this issue, a local leader is at it again, and find five other stories you'll be "better" for exploring.

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Certn named a top 20 Canadian AI company

Another week, another accolade for a Victoria tech juggernaut. Seven days ago, we told you that Certn went home with a Victoria Tech Community Award. This time, the local background-screening outfit has been named one of Canada’s leaders amongst AI companies. 

The Vector Institute, an independent corporation dedicated to research in the field of AI, unveiled its inaugural Vector AI20 for 2023. The list was compiled after analyzing over 150 Canadian AI startups that achieved major milestones in 2021 and 2022, including funding rounds (Certn certainly had that one locked down). After consulting with industry partners and through Vector’s own work in the AI ecosystem, Vector narrowed down a shortlist of startups that reflect the key regions of AI innovation across Canada.

“The companies included on the Vector AI20 for 2023 will no doubt contribute to our future economic prosperity,” said Cameron Schuler, chief commercialization officer and VP of industry innovation at Vector Institute. “From our health to the way goods travel, each company in their own unique way aligns with Vector’s vision of improving the lives of Canadians. Vector is proud to highlight these innovative startups as ones to watch as their successes transform the way we live in 2023 and beyond.”

Certn is one of two British Columbian companies on the roster, joining Vancouver-based Klue. This nod came less than a month after landing on another list: Deloitte Fast 50 (coincidentally, Klue also featured on that one). Certn experienced over 6,000 percent growth in the past year, good for the second spot on Deloitte’s ranking of Canada’s fastest-growing companies. 

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📰 More Victoria innovation news

🏢 Better buildings. Audette CEO Chris Naismith sat down with crown agency Innovate BC for a Q&A that explores how the company is powering a zero-carbon economy. Dive into the chat.

⛵ Better boats: "Ocean drones"-maker Open Ocean Robotics successfully completed the Digital Horizon exercise with the US Navy Task Force 59 in Bahrain. Read a recap on Yahoo

🌊 Better marine strategy: The B.C. government is seeking input on province’s first coastal marine strategy, which is being developed in partnership with First Nations. Their historic knowledge and experience in coastal marine management will help inform long-term stewardship of B.C.’s diverse and unique marine ecosystems and habitats. Provide your input.

👨‍⚕️ Better backgrounds: Jason Cridge, co-founder of Cognito Health, finds it interesting that a quarter of the Victoria Tech Community Awards were dolled out to folks with a pharmacy background —  including himself. Parse through Cridge's thoughts in full on LinkedIn.

🧦 Better be mindful: Rob Fraser, founder of direct-to-consumer sock company Outway, thinks 2021 saw a direct-to-consumer wave that calmed in 2022. Get Fraser's insights on LinkedIn. 

🕴️ Tech jobs of the week

Find your next career:

• Back-End Developer at Momentum

• Economic Futures Analyst at South Island Prosperity Partnership

• Scientific Data Specialist at Ocean Networks Canada

• System Solutions Analyst (Workday) at BC Assessment

• Data Steward at Ocean Networks Canada

Hiring in Victoria? Reply to this email and let us know! 

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