Episode Description: This week, Arielle and Karissa dive into two very different but deeply connected stories about what it means to truly support healing. First, we unpack new research on what people going through cancer actually find helpful during the holidays, and why practical support often means more than cozy socks and inspirational mugs. Then…
On the back of a big 2025, Ottawa technology startup Turbopuffer has secured some fresh financing to scale its fast-growing search infrastructure for AI applications. Turbopuffer was launched in 2023 by a pair of former Shopify engineers: CEO Simon Eskildsen and CTO Justine Li. It has already amassed big-name clients like Anthropic, Atlassian, Cursor, and…
QUIZ START The post Canada’s quantum dark horse, DoorDash gets Zesty, and Queen’s Nvidia recruit first appeared on BetaKit.
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Across the world, soil scientists are trading in their shovels for something unexpected: seismic sensors. In a breakthrough that blends geophysics with ecology, researchers are using the same technology used to detect earthquakes to understand what’s happening beneath our feet. The results could reshape how we grow food. This…
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM A growing body of research is revealing how a short, simple activity that is done in just 15 minutes can reduce anxiety, improve mood, and promote long-term emotional well-being. The practice, called the Best Possible Self exercise, invites people to imagine their ideal future across all areas of life,…
Calgary’s GeologicAI is acquiring fellow mining technology startup Lumo Analytics, a Finnish firm that helps companies detect critical minerals. The deal will see Lumo’s tech and team both join GeologicAI. The financial terms were not disclosed, but the acquisition comes months after GeologicAI closed $61 million in Series B financing to scale globally and expand…
CoLab Software is looking to the world’s most valuable company to improve its AI-powered engineering collaboration tool. The St. John’s-based startup has joined the Nvidia Inception Program, the chip giant’s free program providing startups with access to the latest developer tools, training, and its network of products and investors. Nvidia’s simulation platforms will ensure “the…
Kingston-based Queen’s University wants to build a Canadian supercomputer, and it has snagged an American leader in the high-performance computing space to help. Queen’s has recruited Ian Karlin as assistant professor to co-lead its supercomputing research efforts alongside associate professor and existing technical leader Ryan Grant. Together, the pair hope to help Canada catch up…
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Scroll through any productivity blog or time-management book, and you’ll find a familiar formula: rigid routines, detailed planners, and the unspoken assumption that success comes from consistency and control. These methods often work well… for Type-A personalities. But what about those who naturally move through life a bit more…
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM As the federal minimum wage remains frozen at $7.25 an hour, unchanged since 2009, cities and states across the United States are taking matters into their own hands. In 2026, 88 jurisdictions will raise their minimum wage rates, offering millions of workers a critical boost in take-home pay. Dozens…
