Welcome to this week's Sunday Briefing. In this edition:
A Calgary company launches new worker safety wearable
Federal funding supports energy projects
Local agri-food hub enters new phase
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Blackline Safety launches G8 connected safety wearable
Photo: Blackline Safety
Calgary-based Blackline Safety has launched G8, a connected safety wearable that combines gas detection, lone worker protection, and communication in a single device.
The device features swappable cartridges covering more than 20 gases and dual-band GPS for location accuracy within one metre. It monitors for falls, no motion, and other safety events that can happen on industrial worksites.
G8 includes three ways to communicate: push-to-talk radio functionality, emergency voice calling to connect workers with live monitoring agents, and text messaging. The 64-color backlit display is roughly double the size of Blackline's G7 display.
The device streams real-time data to Blackline Live, the company's cloud-based analytics platform. This gives safety leaders visibility into worker status, gas readings, and site conditions as they happen.
CEO Cody Slater says G8 consolidates multiple tools so workers don't need separate equipment. "By unifying gas detection, real-time monitoring, and communication in one connected device, we're giving every worker a direct line to the people, data, systems and support they need to make faster, safer decisions," he said.
G8 is built as a platform that can integrate with other workplace systems and receives automatic firmware updates. The device is protected by more than a dozen patents with additional pending.
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🤝 Funding, Deals, and Partnerships
Helcim launches payment extension letting merchants self-integrate into existing software. This innovative tool allows merchants to seamlessly integrate Helcim's payment processing into the web-based business software they already use, eliminating the need to compromise between integrated workflows and fair pricing. Helcim
Canada invests to build a more affordable, reliable energy future. Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced nearly $3 million in funding. Natural Resources Canada
📰 Need To Know
AgSphere cultivates new era for agri-food innovation. Calgary-based company will bring trailblazers together and keep investment in Canada. Alberta Farmer
Ava becomes Certified B Corp, joining a global community leading accountability in healthcare technology. B Corp Certification, administered by the nonprofit B Lab, recognizes companies that meet verified standards for accountability, transparency, and long-term responsibility. Ava Industries
Tech Thursday kicks off 2026 with bold predictions and scaling lessons. The series returns on January 22nd with Hot Takes for 2026 Canadian Tech, a no-filter conversation on where the industry is heading. Calgary.Tech
Bobbie Racette shares lessons from scaling a people-first platform. Speaking at Platform Calgary earlier today, the founder of Virtual Gurus discussed how urgency, access to work, and hard trade-offs shape companies long before they resemble case studies. Digital Journal
Two Calgary companies named to 2026 Global Cleantech 100. Now in its 17th year, the Global Cleantech 100 highlights innovators addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from clean energy systems and carbon management to critical minerals and digital infrastructure. Calgary.Tech