TOGETHER WITH

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

Now on to today’s briefing.

-Emily, [email protected]

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In a week where the global spotlight was firmly fixed on British Columbia’s tech ecosystem, one Victoria-based company stood out. VoxCell BioInnovation was named the winner of The $10K Pitch: BC’s Startup All-Stars, a live pitch competition hosted at Web Summit Vancouver by Innovate BC and New Ventures BC.

The company took home the $10,000 grand prize after outlasting a stacked lineup of high-growth startups—including GlüxKind, SkyAcres, and yPilot—in a finale judged by a panel of investors and innovation leaders. VoxCell, a biotech firm developing vascularized, human-like cancer tissue models to improve drug screening and development, impressed with its blend of deep science and commercial traction.

“These types of competitions help startups like ours break through the noise and prove we’re building something that matters,” said Karolina Valente, CEO and CSO at VoxCell BioInnovation. “This win gives us a strong signal to investors and customers alike, marking a real turning point for our business.”

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⭐️ Rise up: Mental health tech company HiBoop has launched its beta version. Speaking about the impetus for the company, CEO Jason Morehouse said, “I just felt it was unjust that we have to wait for a crisis for our healthcare to intervene.”

✨ You’re a sky full of stars: Shift, the Victoria-based web browser is officially carbon neutral. Shift has joined fellow Victoria company Synergy Enterprises as a Climate Action Partner and is investing in verified carbon offsets through Carbonzero.

👀 Take a chance on me: The Rising Economy Taskforce, run by the South Island Prosperity Partnership, found that Greater Victoria is full of economic potential, despite challenges including regional fragmentation, reliance on government sector employment, productivity levels below the B.C. average, affordability pressures and an aging population.

SPONSORED BY REED POPE

Reed Pope Business Lawyers help founders launch their start-ups confidently by offering fixed‑fee packages covering matters such as entity formation and structuring, key foundational documents, and legal support on early-stage financing rounds. This transparent pricing gives founders peace of mind to focus on building their product, recruiting talent, and gaining market traction.

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June 10 | TEDxVictoria 2025 | Ripples

TEDxVictoria brings together inspiring speakers, community organizations, businesses, and passionate individuals to share exceptional ideas that can transform into waves of global impact. Hosted at the historic McPherson Playhouse in downtown Victoria, TEDxVictoria is a full-day event featuring talks, performances, and community exhibitions.

June 12 | Victoria Tech Nachos

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.

Have an upcoming event? Reply to let us know.

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.