BC Business
We're just a couple weeks into the election campaign, and B.C. has already made a lasting mark in some big ways. Of course, it's been more of the blotchy, stainy variety; blemishes that darken most everything around them and bring everyone associated with them down. But, you know, no publicity is...
Vancouver tech company Lumen5 accepts its first-place award at the New Ventures BC competition
We’re just a couple weeks into the election campaign, and B.C. has already made a lasting mark in some big ways. Of course, it’s been more of the blotchy, stainy variety; blemishes that darken most everything around them and bring everyone associated with them down.
But, you know, no publicity is bad publicity.
Right?
Here’s what made the grade (and what didn’t) this week.
Lumen5
Grade: A+
The Vancouver tech company took home first place in the New Ventures BC competition for its work video creation platform.
It fought off nine other finalists to claim the top prize of $105,000. Not bad. Another Vancouver outfit, marketing app NiceJob, took second place (and $60,000), while 30 Under 30 winner Juan Orrego’s Victoria-based restaurant software startup, Cuboh, finished third, receiving $35,000. So stop pretending like you discovered him, New Ventures, geez.
People who live on or near Broadway
Grade: A
So it seems like the Broadway subway is actually happening. Crazy. That’s going to be nice for all those people who own property along the city’s busiest east-west corridor. Renters will benefit as well, but they’ll have to hope they don’t get served with a renoviction notice in the coming months.
Of course, you could just buy a place along Broadway—we’re sure it’s not going to get even more expensive. And yes, this is going to be our best joke of the day.
Joining forces
Grade: B+
The merging of long-time B.C. credit unions Prospera and Westminster Savings was approved earlier this week.
The real question now is whether Abbotsford (where Prospera is based) or Surrey (which houses Westminster) will lose the business.
The new company will be called Prospera Credit Union, so it could be tough news for Surrey. In any case, we’re calling for an all-out war between the two cities, purely because it would be very, very fun to watch.
Oh, hey, Abbotsford, I heard that Surrey said you weren’t really a city. Burnnn.
Sup, Surrey? Yeah, so weird, Abbotsford said your breath was really brutal.
Grab the popcorn, let’s go.
Kryton
Grade: B
The Vancouver-based company did what so few Canadian businesses do and acquired (part of) a European company, becoming the largest shareholder of Denmark’s Sensohive Technologies.
The deal will enable Kryton, a leader in concrete technology (yep, that’s a thing), to be the exclusive North American distributor of Sensohive’s Maturix technology, which wirelessly monitors the concrete hardening process.
Sounds like a, uh, solid deal.
Celebrity endorsements
Grade: D
Usually a good thing, but make sure they’re real, people!
Conservative candidate Heather Leung is anti-SOGI, anti-abortion and, apparently, antitalking to reporters.
She also released a photo on Facebook that appeared to show comedian Rick Mercer endorsing her party. It was fake. The Burnaby NorthSeymour candidate is clearly hoping she can just ride the Conservative wave to victory.
Hopefully, things don’t come that easy in this country or this province.
West Point Grey Academy
Grade: F
You knew it was coming.
And while the prime minister is rightfully taking a lot of heat for dressing up in blackface (on multiple occasions), one party seems to have escaped mostly blameless.
That would be Vancouver private school West Point Grey Academy. Even in 2001, were Arabian Nights parties a thing? Vancouver’s west side hasn’t been this shaken up since…a year ago, when they held a rally against the provincial property tax in the park right next to West Point Grey.
Meanwhile, the popular alternative to Trudeau wanted to put more funding toward…private schools.
Decisions, decisions.