Welcome to this week’s Sunday Briefing. In this issue, read about housing affordability and homelessness, the impact of the Northern Lights, and Archipelago’s co-op student.

Now onto today’s briefing. It’s 689 words: a three-minute read.

-Emily, [email protected]

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UVic cleantech spinout takes home the prize

Curat Innovations Inc., a University of Victoria spinout, has been awarded $75,000 as part of a funding program targeting ventures that have recently completed university entrepreneurship programs.

The B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) program is held in collaboration with entrepreneurship@UBC-O, entrepreneurship@UBC-V, SFU VentureLabs, UNBC Innovation Program and UVic Coast Capital Innovation Centre to help bridge the funding gap that can often set back early ventures.

“The pathway to securing early-stage funding and partnerships is challenging, especially for university-based entrepreneurs and early-stage ventures fresh out of universities,” said Sarah Goodman, CICE’s president and CEO. “Supporting post-secondary graduates embarking on new ventures is crucial for building a skilled and diverse workforce, and leading a clean, prosperous economy.”

Curat Innovations is tackling organic waste disposal problems and associated GHG emissions by developing an organic waste processing technology that significantly decreases the amount of hauling and methane gas release associated with food waste. Organic waste is neutralized in three days, creating beneficial soil supplements that can also help restore the natural ecosystems’ abilities to sequester carbon.

"As we stare down the specter of climate disaster we must activate all of our efforts to create a livable future for ourselves and the planet,” said Cedric Bomford, CEO of Curat Innovations. “CICE’s funding is allowing us to build our field-ready, beta pilot unit to prove the technology in the field."

📰 More Victoria innovation news

🏠 Find a way: The Victoria Chamber of Commerce dug into housing availability and homeless in its latest Chamber Chat, featuring Tim Richter and Elisabeth Noble from the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness.

🌌 Light me up: The same solar storm that had the Northern Lights appearing over Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland impacted deep-ocean compasses, according to Ocean Networks Canada. The University of Victoria explained that solar storms “can pose risks to power grids, satellite networks, and navigation systems as well as impact animals’ own navigational abilities.”

👨‍🎓 School’s (not yet) out for summer: University of Victoria student James Thompson explained the benefit of co-operative learning, based on his experience with Victoria’s Archipelago, where he focused on product design.

🕴️ Tech jobs of the week

Find your next career:

• Software Engineering Manager at Leadpages

• Senior Full Stack Developer (React) at Shift

• Director, Surveillance and Epidemiological Research at BC Public Service

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

📅 Upcoming events

June 4-25 | Data Management & Analytics Roadshow 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of data and analytics, this conference stands as a beacon for industry leaders, professionals, and innovators seeking to navigate the complexities of today’s information age. Discussions will unravel the paramount importance of data governance, efficient data management, and the strategic application of AI.

From understanding strategic frameworks for robust data governance to exploring the ethical implementation of AI, attendees can anticipate gaining actionable perspectives and knowledge essential for navigating the intricacies of the information age.

Ongoing | Entry for the Health Terminology and Interoperability Standards Certificate Program

In the Health Terminology and Interoperability Standards Certificate Program (HTIS) offered by the University of Victoria's School of Health Information Science, you will learn about the exciting field of standards and interoperability, critical topics for making healthcare more modern and efficient. Learn how data is represented, exchanged, standardized, and applied to improve our healthcare systems and about the details, challenges, implementations, and acceptance of modern data-driven health information exchange.

Have an upcoming event? Reply to let us know.

🙋 I need a…

We at Victoria Tech Journal know you, our community, pretty well. Are you searching for someone in your field to have coffee with, a hiring hookup, a lead on local investors, or suggestion for a great Victoria tech tool? Whatever you’re hunting for, let us know. We’ll post it in this section and make it happen.

This week:

• Cloud Produce is looking for investors

Email your requests to [email protected].

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.