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Welcome to this week's Sunday Briefing. In this edition:
National Defence invests in North Vector Dynamics
Virtual Gurus’ Bobbie Racette steps down
Research greenhouses to get a $5.2M upgrade
Have a great day. We'll see you again next week.
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Calgary company Ontopical joins SOVRA to boost GovTech AI capabilities
Calgary’s Ontopical, an AI-driven government intelligence platform, has been acquired by Sovra, a U.S.-based public sector procurement platform, as part of the company’s push to expand in the GovTech sector. Ontopical’s AI, “Oliver,” analyzes more than 65,000 public data sources to provide suppliers with early insights on government contract opportunities before requests for proposals are issued, giving vendors more time to prepare and compete.
The acquisition will support the creation of Sovra’s new AI Center of Excellence, which aims to integrate intelligent features and automation across the company’s procurement tools for both suppliers and public sector buyers. Ontopical’s leadership team, including CEO Clayton Feick and founder Derrick Koenig, will join Sovra, with Feick becoming President of Sovra Supplier and Koenig leading the Supplier product team.
The deal comes amid broader strategic changes at Sovra, including the appointment of Tom Spengler as CEO and the sale of six non-core business units. Spengler, a veteran GovTech executive, described Ontopical’s technology as a critical step in advancing Sovra’s goal of becoming the leading GovTech platform in North America.
🤝 Funding, Deals, and Partnerships
North Vector Dynamics secures $4.2-million contract with National Defence for hypersonic propulsion. North Vector Dynamics, co-founded by University of Calgary engineering professors, calls itself a defence and autonomy company that develops high-speed aircraft propulsion, training systems for drone attacks, and missile systems guided by artificial intelligence. Betakit
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📰 Need To Know
Virtual Gurus founder Bobbie Racette hands CEO role to successor. Racette led Virtual Gurus for eight years, transforming it from a $300 kitchen-table concept into an award-winning talent marketplace connecting businesses with North American virtual assistants and AI-powered support. Calgary.Tech
How drones are transforming agriculture in Alberta. Drones and AI are transforming farming in Westlock, saving input costs, increasing yields, and offering precision solutions for Alberta’s top producers. Town and Country
Platform Calgary launches fall lineup of startup programs. From one-evening workshops to year-long incubators, the lineup offers pathways for every stage of the startup journey. Calgary.Tech
Alberta earmarks $5.2M to upgrade province’s research greenhouses. Funds to bolster crop diversification centres, agri-food sector in region. Greenhouse Canada
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