The Pulse: April 16, 2025

As the founder of one of the rare Edmonton companies to raise millions in venture capital, Sunil Vedula of Nanoprecise Sci Corp feels the weight of expectations, but he is also confident he can live up to them.

"This kind of investment does not happen very often in Edmonton, but I would love this kind of investment to happen more often in Edmonton," founder and CEO Sunil Vedula told Taproot. "That's why we have a big responsibility that (our company) should not fail … We will make sure it will not."

Nanoprecise makes sensors and software for industrial machine maintenance. It helps businesses identify and fix mechanical issues, solve the underlying issues behind equipment failures, and predict them before they happen. This work is good for the bottom line and for the environment, Vedula said.

"Just imagine: 60% of global electricity consumption is caused due to rotating machinery," he said. "Nobody talks about that."

Vedula told BetaKit that Nanoprecise will use the US$38 million in Series C funding to develop new products, hire staff, and expand in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Nanoprecise already operates in North America, Western Europe, and South Asia. Global operations were always part of the Nanoprecise plan, Vedula said.

"Finance was my most loved subject in my MBA, and I always believed in one thing — diversify your risk portfolio," Vedula said. "You never want to be in a position where one customer going away, or one region closing their doors to you, should impact your business."

Vedula's foresight will likely help reduce the effects of American tariffs (and the uncertainty they create) felt by some other companies. While Nanoprecise's biggest market is the United States, where the company does 35% of its business, Yaletown Partners "absolutely" saw the company's international potential as a key reason to help lead the Series C round.

"To get to a Series C, that means you've been around, you've scaled, you are showing that you can be profitable — if you aren't already — and you have customers and strong business in global markets," Yaletown investment manager Arden Tse told Taproot. "(Series C is) a continuation of your expansion. It is a continuation of getting into other markets, either geographically or with other verticals."

Vedula said Nanoprecise is not profitable yet, but he has faith it will be soon. "We are pretty confident that this will be our last round of funding (while) being unprofitable," he said.

• Edmonton has seen a significant increase in pothole repairs this year. As of April 14, crews had filled 85,368 potholes, an increase of 243% over the 24,888 filled last year during the same time period. Crews were actively repairing potholes across Edmonton on April 15.
• After federal funding for settlement support ended in March, Ukrainian newcomers in Edmonton who are in Canada on temporary visas are seeking affordable English classes. Orysia Boychuk of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress — Alberta Provincial Council said that many Ukrainians have arrived with limited or no English and that language skills are vital. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said that settlement services are usually reserved for permanent residents. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress is now offering its own language classes. Omar Yaqub, executive director of the Islamic Family and Social Services Association, wants to see standardized English education for newcomers.
• The Edmonton Southeast riding is expected to be a tight race between Liberal candidate Amarjeet Sohi, currently on unpaid leave as Edmonton's mayor, and Conservative candidate Jagsharan Singh Mahal. According to projections from 338 Canada, the race is a "toss-up." Four other candidates are running. They are Harpreet Grewal for the NDP, Martin Schuetza for the People's Party of Canada, Corinne Benson for the Communist Party, and Gurleen Chandi as an Independent.
• According to aggregated polls, the NDP are likely to retain Edmonton Strathcona in the April 28 federal election. Heather McPherson has held the riding since 2019, succeeding Linda Duncan. In 2021, McPherson won 60.3% of the vote. Ron Thiering is running for the Liberals, Miles Berry is the Conservative candidate, and David Wojtowicz is the People's Party of Canada candidate.
• Canadian Blood Services is moving its Edmonton donor centre from 114 Street to a new, more accessible facility at Whitemud Crossing, near Southgate Centre. The new location, easily accessible by Calgary Trail, Gateway Boulevard, Whitemud Drive, Anthony Henday, and transit, features ample free parking. The Edmonton donor centre, one of the largest collection sites for Canadian Blood Services, collects more than 40,000 units of whole blood, more than 1,800 platelet units, and more than 9,000 plasma units annually.
• The Indigenous musical Bear Grease, an Edmonton-based adaptation of Grease, is heading to Off-Broadway in New York City. The show's creator said she is excited to represent Edmonton and Canada's Indigenous community on a larger stage.
• Edmontonians are rallying to support the Front Yards in Bloom program. The City of Edmonton cut the 25-year-old program to help reduce the 2025 property tax increase.
• The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is investigating a fatal police shooting in Edmonton's Glenwood neighbourhood on April 15. The Edmonton Police Service responded to a weapons complaint near 97 Avenue and 163 Street NW, where a man allegedly pointed a gun at a resident. Police located a suspect matching the description in an alley nearby, where a confrontation resulted in an officer discharging a firearm, killing the 36-year-old man. Police said no officers were injured and that an object believed to be a firearm was located at the scene.
• The owner of Andaz Fashion Boutique said she is "heartbroken" after learning her store was destroyed in a deliberately set fire in Edmonton. The arson has left other business owners in the area scared and confused. The Edmonton Police Service is investigating the fire.
• The Alberta government has tabled Bill 53, the Compassionate Intervention Act, which would allow the province to place individuals into involuntary addiction treatment. Mental Health and Addiction Minister Dan Williams said the legislation targets "extreme" cases where other options have failed. Applications can be submitted by family, health professionals, or police officers, and will be reviewed by a commission that includes a lawyer, physician, and a member of the public, which will determine eligibility for treatment. The province committed $180 million to construct compassionate intervention centres in Northern and Southern Alberta, slated for completion in 2029. Patients cannot refuse medication, clinical advice, or monitoring during treatment.
• Mark Joffe's contract as Alberta's chief medical officer of health ended on April 14 and is not being renewed. The province said it will name an interim chief medical officer of health "imminently." Joffe replaced Deena Hinshaw in November 2022. His departure comes as a public health alert was issued in Calgary, Canmore, and Banff due to a measles outbreak.
• Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse will face a hearing with the NHL after receiving a major penalty and ejection in the April 14 game against the Los Angeles Kings for cross-checking Quinton Byfield. Byfield was placed in concussion protocol after the incident. The Oilers play their final regular season game on April 16 against the San Jose Sharks.
• Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse has been nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for the fourth consecutive season, recognizing his leadership and humanitarian contributions. Nurse is an ambassador for the Every Kid Deserves a Shot initiative from the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation and Free Play for Kids, which supports underrepresented youth, including refugees, newcomers, and Indigenous kids, by providing them the opportunity to play hockey at no cost. The King Clancy Trophy winner receives a $25,000 donation for a charity of their choice.
• The Edmonton Oilers have recalled defenceman Connor Carrick from the Bakersfield Condors. Carrick, 31, has 17 goals and 22 assists in 60 games with the Condors this season. This is Carrick's first call-up to the Oilers since Edmonton signed him to a one-year contract on July 1, 2024.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Community Coffee starting at 9am at Edmonton Unlimited
• State of the County Address: Luncheon and General Meeting starting at 11am at Agora Community Centre in Strathcona County
• Edmonton Centre Federal Candidate Forum starting at 5:30pm at Matrix Hotel
• Hearty Home Cooking: Meals to Warm the Soul starting at 6pm at Get Cooking
• Hand-pulled Noodles starting at 6pm at YEG Cooking School
• Three Classic Martinis: A Lesson In Mixology starting at 6pm at L'OCA Quality Market (Sherwood Park)
• A Taste for Life starting at 6:30pm at various locations
• Energy Talks: Understanding Methane Emissions: Insights from Satellite Data and AI starting at 7pm at Edmonton Public Library (Strathcona)
• Story Slam starting at 7pm at 9910
• Wild Rivers starting at 8pm at Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• April 25: Black Lives for Environmental and Climate Justice at University of Alberta (TELUS International Centre)
• May 1: Sustainability Social: Expert Panel, Networking, and Activities at The Bell in Scona
• May 2-10: Jane's Walk at various locations

Visit the beta version of the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.