BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Joy is often framed as a constant state we’re supposed to reach and maintain, as if feeling good were a personal achievement or a public performance. A quick scroll through social media reinforces the idea that joy should be visible, upbeat, and uninterrupted. When it isn’t, it can feel…
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In the natural world, plants are often thought of somewhat as competitors, out there jostling for sunlight, nutrients, and space. But new research suggests they may also be surprisingly cooperative, especially when environmental stress hits. A recent study, published as a preprint on bioRxiv, found that when plants physically…
The Government of Canada has promised to prioritize buying Canadian, focusing on the country’s existing strengths, and picking domestic champions in its new Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS). The federal government intends to pour nearly $82 billion CAD into defence over the next five years, and the DIS offers a roadmap for ensuring that Canada’s defence…
Toronto AI company Cohere reportedly hit $240 million USD in annual recurring revenue (ARR) last year, exceeding its targets. The enterprise scaleup told investors it reached that figure in a February investor memo obtained by CNBC, significantly overshooting earlier projections of $200 million USD in ARR. CNBC reported Cohere saw quarter-over-quarter growth of more than…
The cities of Ottawa and Gatineau announced today the launch of a new task force aimed at turning the country’s capital region into a defence innovation hub. This defence innovation task force features 33 defence decision-makers, investors, innovators, industry leaders, veterans, and policy experts from both sides of the Ottawa river. “Ottawa–Gatineau is uniquely positioned…
It may not have been broadcast on television, but for a handful of early-stage Edmonton founders, Thursday night’s Black Business Ventures Association (BBVA) Innovation Expo was like a round in the Dragon’s Den. “Often, I find myself being one of the only Black innovators in the rooms I’m in, so it was great to step…
Toronto healthtech startup Mesosil has received clearance to sell its bacteria-fighting dental technology to the US dental industry through a partnership with one of its clients. Mesosil is pursuing Health Canada clearance for its customers, but that requires slightly different data than the FDA submission. Mesosil investor GreenSky Ventures announced on Wednesday that the startup’s…
One of Canada’s top quantum companies is claiming a breakthrough in transmitting information over a fibre optic network, in a step towards using quantum tech in everyday communications. “This is just the beginning of real-world impacts we will jointly deliver.” Paul Terry Vancouver-based Photonic announced today that it had successfully transmitted quantum information—encoded as qubits,…
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Juice can feel like a wellness wildcard. It’s sweet, colorful, and sits in that tricky middle space between “basically fruit salad” and “sugar in a glass.” But if you’re pouring yourself one small glass a day, is that actually a healthy habit? The short answer is that it depends…
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Life expectancy in the United States climbed to a historic high in 2024, reaching 79 years—its highest level ever recorded. The gains reflect a hopeful turnaround after years of decline driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and rising drug overdose deaths. Early data suggests that 2025 may bring even more…
