TOGETHER WITH

Welcome to this week’s Thursday feature, brought to you by Tiny. In this issue, meet the local startup harnessing AI for water solutions, the Vancouver Island researchers that recently received federal funding, and the CEO that turned a love of travel into a business. Have a great day. We'll see you again on Sunday with a special story about an innovator from Qualicum Beach.

The Victoria startup building AI solutions for water treatment facilities

Victoria-based Pani Energy, which develops software that helps water treatment facilities optimize operations, is in the midst of a groundbreaking pilot program with Orange County Water District (OCWD).

The two organizations are working together on a product implementation at OCWD’s Groundwater replenishment system, the world’s largest water purification system for potable reuse. Devesh Bharadwaj, CEO of Pani, says, “If successful, the project can provide a key case-study and reference point for utilities across the globe looking to lower costs, risks, and carbon emissions through their digital journey.” 

Water treatment is a multi-trillion dollar industry, and one of the most important drivers of sustainable development, yet in many ways, it has been slow to see effective AI solutions. Pani is out the change that.

Since 2017, its been developing a proprietary data-driven platform that helps water treatment facilities improve yield and reduce energy and materials costs while using only a plant's existing systems and existing sensor data.

On the heels of early success, last October Pani raised $8 million in funding co-led by Blue Bear Capital and Blue Coast Partners.

Go deeper in Pani Magazine.

📰 Recent Victoria innovation news

💰 Research money: The Government of Canada is investing $506 million into computer science and artificial intelligence research across the country. Along with 67 other institutions, the University of Victoria and Vancouver Island University both received funding. 48 researchers at the former and 3 at the latter split the capital.

👩‍💼 CEO spotlight from Shift: Nicole Smith is the founder and CEO of Flytographer, a platform that connects its customers to an international network of hand-picked, local photographers – making it easy to capture memorable moments from anywhere in the world. Nine years into business, Flytographer has provided thousands with invaluable photos and stories to share, but what’s now a global name grew out of a simple love for travel.

SPONSORED

We buy wonderful businesses.

For over a decade, Tiny has been partnering with founders to give them quick, straightforward exits that protect their team and culture and keep their businesses operating for the long term.

Learn more.

🕴️ Tech jobs of the week

Find your next career:

• Junior Developer at Enrolment Resources

• QA Analyst at Megabyte Programming Services Ltd.

• Senior Security Analyst at BC Pension Corporation

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

🔎 Weekly tech spotlight: Vivid Solutions

Vivid Solutions is a software development company that creates and implements innovative solutions for a variety of computing needs. Founded in 1996, the company has executed over 200 projects and grown to 35 team members. Learn more.

📅 Upcoming events

July 6: Unity® in Interactive Storytelling for Creative Technology

July 19: Scaling World-class Products & Teams (Vancouver)

July 26: Startup Job Fair Online: Talent Registration

Have an upcoming event? Reply to let us know.