Welcome to this week’s Sunday Briefing. In this issue, learn about municipal life in Saanich, relief for users of Vancouver’s Bench Accounting, and reflections from the South Island Prosperity Partnership’s new CEO.

Now on to today’s briefing. It’s 766 words: a three-minute read.

-Emily, [email protected]

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Victoria founder joins Coho Growth

Jason Morehouse, founder of HiBoop, is starting the new year on the front foot after announcing that he has joined Vancouver's Coho Growth as a limited partner. Coho, which provides growth debt to software companies, was co-founded and is managed by Michael Walkinshaw, Mark Bakker, and Rob Foxall.

As a limited partner, Morehouse may not have a very active role with Coho — limited partners provide capital but aren’t usually involved in management. However, his own entrepreneurial accomplishments may have contributed to his decision to join Coho.

Just over a year ago, Morehouse founded HiBoop, a mental health assessment platform aimed at “bridging the gap between technology and well-being.” In October, the company announced the launch of a clinical pilot with the Healing Institute, a Vancouver Island mental health and addiction treatment centre. The pilot program will focus on gathering clinical feedback on key aspects of HiBoop’s platform, including assessment accuracy, user experience, and overall functionality within clinical environments.

Morehouse is also a co-founder of Checkfront, a company providing online booking solutions. Morehouse served as chief technology officer and chief executive officer before exiting the company in 2023, almost 13 years after its founding. He remains on Checkfront’s board of directors.

📰 More Victoria innovation news

📣 Calling to the faraway towns: Before the holiday break, Saanich mayor Dean Murdock sat down with Bruce Williams and the Chamber Chats podcast to discuss managing municipal affairs, from construction projects to taxes.

☁️ I’ve got a word or two: Aaron Stone, CEO of the South Island Prosperity Partnership, reflected on his first 60 days at the organization’s helm.

☀️ All my troubles seemed so far away: Good news for Victoria users of Bench Accounting — San Francisco’s Employer.com announced that it will acquire the company after the Vancouver-based outfit suddenly closed its doors at the end of December.

🕴️ Tech jobs of the week

Find your next career:

• Manager, Client Experience at BCI

• Intermediate Software Engineer in Test, Test Governance at GitLab

• Director, Analyst Relations at OpenText

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

📅 Upcoming events

January 9 | Victoria AI Tech Meetup: Exploring AI's Impact on Business and Innovation

Are you an entrepreneur or tech professional curious about how AI can transform your business and career? Join the Victoria AI Tech Meetup, where local thought leaders and innovators come together to explore the cutting edge of artificial intelligence and its practical applications.

January 16 | Victoria Tech Nachos

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

January 23 | Canadian Digital Marketing Summit

For the first time, CDM Summit is coming to Victoria, on January 23. Join for an exciting one-day event where trailblazers and innovators gather to explore the future of digital marketing. In this inaugural summit, you’ll experience the latest in breakthrough strategies, cutting-edge technologies, and the trends shaping tomorrow’s marketing landscape. Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills, grow your professional network, or be inspired by industry leaders, this is your opportunity to lead with confidence in an ever-evolving digital world.

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.

Email your requests to [email protected].

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