TOGETHER WITH

Welcome to this week’s Sunday Briefing. In this issue:

  • Biotech gets TV spotlight

  • Ocean hub named Ecostar finalist

  • Autonomous vessel monitors Prince Rupert port

Now on to today’s briefing.

By the way, if you're not already subscribed, you can fix that here.

SPONSORED BY REED POPE

Thoughtful. Practical. Effective.

Reed Pope Business Lawyers is a leading business law firm based in Victoria, offering top-tier service to a wide range of clients involved in local, national, and international transactions. For over 18 years, Reed Pope lawyers have served as trusted counsel to entrepreneurs, start-ups and emerging companies, established businesses, high-net-worth individuals, investment funds, and other investors. The firm has deep expertise in entity formation and structuring, capital raising and investments, acquisitions, exit transactions, and general start-up advisory services.

Reed Pope is proud to support the local and provincial tech sector and is excited to partner with Victoria Tech Journal to help increase visibility for innovative start-ups, scaling technology companies, and the broader ecosystem. Learn more.

Arthur Blackburn, co-director of UVic’s Advanced Microscopy Facility and Hitachi High-Tech Canada Research Chair in Advanced Electron Microscopy. Photo: University of Victoria

UVic achieves atomic-scale imaging with smaller microscopes

Seeing structures at the atomic level typically requires large, expensive transmission electron microscopes that need specialized space and personnel. Now, a team at the University of Victoria has figured out how to get the same level of detail using compact, low-energy scanning electron microscopes that are more accessible and affordable.

Led by Arthur Blackburn, co-director of UVic's Advanced Microscopy Facility, the researchers used a technique called ptychography to reach a resolution of 0.67 Ångström—about one ten-thousandth the width of a human hair. The technique works by using overlapping patterns of scattered electrons to build extremely detailed images, achieving results that previously required high-energy beams and more complex equipment.

The research, published in Nature Communications and done in partnership with Hitachi High-Tech Canada, could make high-resolution imaging accessible to more labs worldwide. Blackburn says the breakthrough will particularly benefit work on 2D materials for next-generation electronics, and could eventually help researchers study protein structures for health applications.

🗳️ Question of the Week

SPONSORED BY PRESSUREPROS

STOP VICTORIA'S GREEN TAKEOVER! 🦠💚

Moss and algae are destroying your home's value and creating dangerous surfaces. PressurePros uses eco-safe solutions to transform properties in hours—from heritage brick to modern siding.

PROVEN RESULTS: ✓ Save thousands vs. replacement ✓ Instant curb appeal boost
✓ Eliminate slippery hazards

Oak Bay transformation: Complete exterior cleaning in just hours using safe, effective methods that protect your investment.

LIMITED TIME: Spring slots filling fast! Get your FREE estimate plus complimentary gutter inspection ($75 value). Don't let the green monster win—reclaim your home today!

📰 More Victoria innovation news

🧬 Science fiction, science fact: Victoria's VoxCell BioInnovation showcased its 3D bioprinting technology on Fox Business Network and Discovery Life, demonstrating how its vascularized tissue models are transforming preclinical drug development and pharmaceutical research.

🌟 Don't stop believin': Victoria-based COAST earned a spot as a finalist for the 2025 Ecostar Awards, recognizing the ocean innovation hub's contributions to sustainable technology and environmental stewardship on Vancouver Island.

🤖 Sail away with me: Open Ocean Robotics deployed its solar-powered DataXplorer vessel in the Port of Prince Rupert to gather acoustic and environmental data, tracking underwater noise and marine mammal activity in areas too challenging for crewed boats.

SPONSORED BY COAST

The COAST Hub offers competitive rates for its versatile, vibrant coworking, meetings and event space in downtown Victoria. Also featuring a state-of-the-art podcast studio perfect for businesses and creatives. Contact COAST for a tour.

Want to reach Victoria tech leaders? Advertise in the Victoria Tech Journal  to get in front of founders, investors, and innovators. Contact [email protected] to learn more.

🕴️ Tech jobs of the week

Find your next career:

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

📅 Upcoming events

Victoria Tech Nachos is a covert group at the intersection of nachos and technology. It bills itself as a no-speaker, social-only, no-sponsor, nacho-friendly event.

October 26-29 | Ocean Floor Explore

No one is systematically exploring the 75% of undiscovered ocean floor. Ocean Floor Explore aims to change that by uniting leaders in blue investing, philanthropy, technology, and exploration to pioneer a new funding model for ocean discovery.

Have something or someone we should know about?

Reply or email [email protected] so we can work together to spotlight the lesser-known stories of Victoria's tech ecosystem.

What did you think of today's newsleter?

Login or Subscribe to participate