Welcome to this week's Sunday Briefing. In this issue, read about a smart video platform that's secured seed funding, and new details related to $20 million in Alberta hydrogen projects. Have a great day. We'll see you again Wednesday.

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Smart video platform IrisCX secured $4.6 million in seed funding from Arthur Ventures

IrisCX, a smart video platform for virtual product selection, DIY setup, and support, has raised $4.6 million in seed funding from Arthur Ventures.

How it works: Through IrisCX’s smart video platform, which leverages computer vision, conversational intelligence, and machine learning, brands can gain insights into consumer decision-making, the effectiveness of sales and support processes, revenue programs, and issue diagnosis processes.

The startup says it will use the funds to add new capabilities to the platform and hire more people to drive growth.

Notable numbers: This new round of funding brings IrisCX’s total funding to $6.8 million. Heron Rock Fund, Forum Ventures, and private investors provided a $1.7 million pre-seed round in June 2021. Stage 2 Capital selected IrisCX to participate in its accelerator program in July 2022 and has also invested.

Significant digits: The company said it facilitated over 30,000 video sessions between product experts and consumers, and that it quintupled its revenue in 2022 and is on track to double its revenue in 2023. The IrisCX team also plans to double in size in 2023.

“Companies want to provide better customer and technical support, but they need better tools to do so,” said CEO Guillermo Salazar, an alum of Solesto Solutions, Deloitte and Quattro Integration Group, in a statement. “With IrisCX, you can provide a great virtual, at-home experience that makes customers happier, improves brand loyalty, reduces the cost of customer and technical support, and reduces product returns.”

🤝 Funding, Deals + Partnerships

• 📰 Alberta and Calgary attracted a record amount of funding in 2022. The province received $729 million across 85 deals. Calgary Tech Journal.

• Eight researchers from the University of Alberta and University of Calgary will share $9.5 million in funding from Alberta Innovates for digital health projects that will provide solutions to priority health system challenges. Details

• The Alberta Hydrogen Centre of Excellence (HCOE) awarded $20 million to 18 projects to advance innovations in hydrogen through a funding competition. Details

📰 Need To Know

• 10 up-and-coming Alberta startups. Details in Calgary Tech Journal

• Crystal Phillips was named vice president at Thin Air Labs Fund I at Thin Air Labs. Details

• University of Alberta researchers eye artificial intelligence to weigh opioid risks. Canadian Press

• Handheld tech transforms learning for those in custody. UCalgary / Werklund School of Education

• Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) launches Canada’s first Hydrogen Commercial Vehicle Demonstrations. Details

• Mark your calendar: Startup TNT Agtech Investment Summit - Finale. March 23

💡 POV: Ideas and Insights

• Darby Sieben, chief product officer of Unbounce, shared stories about What Makes a Successful Product Manager

• Rob Miller, a volunteer with Calgary Climate Hub, writing in the National Observer: Solar powering your home is a commitment to the future

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