Douglas Soltys
@trondizzle.bsky.social
word czar. two-guard. BetaKit EIC. “Wildly out of control.”
This is a big win for #Cdntech and a bigger win for @betakit.com. Welcome aboard, Sarah!
As they say: some personal news.
I'm excited to share that I'm joining @betakit.com's newsroom as their new managing editor. I can't think of a better time to be telling the stories of what's happening in tech — these journalists are Canada's best on that beat.
I'm excited to share that I'm joining @betakit.com's newsroom as their new managing editor. I can't think of a better time to be telling the stories of what's happening in tech — these journalists are Canada's best on that beat.
November 7, 2025 at 9:26 PM
This is a big win for #Cdntech and a bigger win for @betakit.com. Welcome aboard, Sarah!
Reposted by Douglas Soltys
Hi Bluesky 👋
Small life update: I’m at the centre of a multimillion dollar lawsuit in Alberta launched by a failed candidate for Jason Kenney’s UCP
It may be the longest and most expensive media trial in Canadian history
I’m ready to go public about it and I want to share more details with you 🧵
Small life update: I’m at the centre of a multimillion dollar lawsuit in Alberta launched by a failed candidate for Jason Kenney’s UCP
It may be the longest and most expensive media trial in Canadian history
I’m ready to go public about it and I want to share more details with you 🧵
November 7, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Hi Bluesky 👋
Small life update: I’m at the centre of a multimillion dollar lawsuit in Alberta launched by a failed candidate for Jason Kenney’s UCP
It may be the longest and most expensive media trial in Canadian history
I’m ready to go public about it and I want to share more details with you 🧵
Small life update: I’m at the centre of a multimillion dollar lawsuit in Alberta launched by a failed candidate for Jason Kenney’s UCP
It may be the longest and most expensive media trial in Canadian history
I’m ready to go public about it and I want to share more details with you 🧵
On a recent podcast about BBM, The Verge's @reckless.bsky.social correctly summarized BlackBerry as a company built on navigating technical constraints.
For the newsletter, I wrote a few words about why Gen Z is looking for new constraints in their tech use. betakit.com/gen-z-wants-...
For the newsletter, I wrote a few words about why Gen Z is looking for new constraints in their tech use. betakit.com/gen-z-wants-...
Gen Z wants BlackBerry back. Why?
A few weeks back, a bunch of gadget heads descended upon a Brooklyn café to kick off the campaign to Bring Back BlackBerry.
betakit.com
October 26, 2025 at 7:15 PM
On a recent podcast about BBM, The Verge's @reckless.bsky.social correctly summarized BlackBerry as a company built on navigating technical constraints.
For the newsletter, I wrote a few words about why Gen Z is looking for new constraints in their tech use. betakit.com/gen-z-wants-...
For the newsletter, I wrote a few words about why Gen Z is looking for new constraints in their tech use. betakit.com/gen-z-wants-...
Reposted by Douglas Soltys
Hey look, it's me referenced by my friends at BetaKit.
Big #CDNTech stories in The BetaKit Newsletter:
💵 Open banking rules coming in #Budget2025?
🏙️ Lyft to hire hundreds in Toronto
🤖 Alexi's "war" to dominate the #AI legaltech market
PLUS: Bring back tech that's "human-scaled, not habit-shaped" 🤳
💵 Open banking rules coming in #Budget2025?
🏙️ Lyft to hire hundreds in Toronto
🤖 Alexi's "war" to dominate the #AI legaltech market
PLUS: Bring back tech that's "human-scaled, not habit-shaped" 🤳
Gen Z wants BlackBerry back. Why?
A few weeks back, a bunch of gadget heads descended upon a Brooklyn café to kick off the campaign to Bring Back BlackBerry.
betakit.com
October 20, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Hey look, it's me referenced by my friends at BetaKit.
Reposted by Douglas Soltys
“It’s one thing to say ‘let’s do this in a sovereign way.’ It’s another to actually do it.”
^Ben spoke to @trondizzle.bsky.social from @betakit.com about being children of CanCon, giving people control of their feeds, and why sovereignty doesn’t mean isolation.
More👉 betakit.com/canada-gande...
^Ben spoke to @trondizzle.bsky.social from @betakit.com about being children of CanCon, giving people control of their feeds, and why sovereignty doesn’t mean isolation.
More👉 betakit.com/canada-gande...
Can Canada build its own social network? | BetaKit
Gander CEO Ben Waldman explains his vision for sovereign social media.
betakit.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:30 PM
“It’s one thing to say ‘let’s do this in a sovereign way.’ It’s another to actually do it.”
^Ben spoke to @trondizzle.bsky.social from @betakit.com about being children of CanCon, giving people control of their feeds, and why sovereignty doesn’t mean isolation.
More👉 betakit.com/canada-gande...
^Ben spoke to @trondizzle.bsky.social from @betakit.com about being children of CanCon, giving people control of their feeds, and why sovereignty doesn’t mean isolation.
More👉 betakit.com/canada-gande...
Reposted by Douglas Soltys
Thanks so much for having me on this week's episode of the @betakit.com podcast 🇨🇦!
OpenAI added parental controls. Meta faces lawsuits. Some schools mandate AI, others are suing platforms.
The debate over kids and chatbots is heating up.
@ambermac.bsky.social breaks it down on The BetaKit Podcast. 🎧
The debate over kids and chatbots is heating up.
@ambermac.bsky.social breaks it down on The BetaKit Podcast. 🎧
Amber Mac wants parents to know their kids are talking to AI | BetaKit
A new event focused on digital wellness for teens has launched as the dangers of unsupervised AI use become clear.
betakit.com
September 15, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Thanks so much for having me on this week's episode of the @betakit.com podcast 🇨🇦!
Working in #CDNmedia can be fun AND interesting AND important.
@betakit.com wants to tell every #CDNtech story across the country.
Come join us. ⤵️
@betakit.com wants to tell every #CDNtech story across the country.
Come join us. ⤵️
📢 #CDNmedia hiring alert 📢
Want to shape how Canadians see tech in the Prairies?
As @BetaKit.com’s next Prairies Reporter, you’ll cover the startups, scaleups, and policies driving the national conversation.
Join our award-winning newsroom ⤵️
www.jeffgaulin.com/jobs/JobDeta...
Want to shape how Canadians see tech in the Prairies?
As @BetaKit.com’s next Prairies Reporter, you’ll cover the startups, scaleups, and policies driving the national conversation.
Join our award-winning newsroom ⤵️
www.jeffgaulin.com/jobs/JobDeta...
September 18, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Working in #CDNmedia can be fun AND interesting AND important.
@betakit.com wants to tell every #CDNtech story across the country.
Come join us. ⤵️
@betakit.com wants to tell every #CDNtech story across the country.
Come join us. ⤵️
Reposted by Douglas Soltys
wrote on charlie kirk for the newsletter this weekend
Opinion | Charlie Kirk Didn’t Shy Away From Who He Was. We Shouldn’t Either.
www.nytimes.com
September 13, 2025 at 3:35 PM
wrote on charlie kirk for the newsletter this weekend
Big @betakit.com scoop on changes at @omersventures.bsky.social.
One #CDNtech #VC just told me that the "pensions are all retreating back to Canada."
@madisonmcla.bsky.social has a first file with more coming from her and Josh Scott.
One #CDNtech #VC just told me that the "pensions are all retreating back to Canada."
@madisonmcla.bsky.social has a first file with more coming from her and Josh Scott.
Michael Yang to depart OMERS Ventures as pension fund refocuses on Canada in “strategic shift.” #VC #CDNtech
Michael Yang to depart OMERS Ventures as pension fund refocuses on Canada in “strategic shift”
Saar Pikar now head of ventures and growth, with Laura Lenz promoted to managing director.
betakit.com
July 23, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Big @betakit.com scoop on changes at @omersventures.bsky.social.
One #CDNtech #VC just told me that the "pensions are all retreating back to Canada."
@madisonmcla.bsky.social has a first file with more coming from her and Josh Scott.
One #CDNtech #VC just told me that the "pensions are all retreating back to Canada."
@madisonmcla.bsky.social has a first file with more coming from her and Josh Scott.
Is this abundance?
July 22, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Is this abundance?
Reposted by Douglas Soltys
Goodbye to Masai Ujiri as president of the Raptors. The dreams stayed big: it was the owners who got small. www.thestar.com/sports/rapto...
Bruce Arthur: Everything Masai Ujiri did — his dreams and his success with the Raptors — was big. Maybe too big for the team’s owner
MLSE CEO Keith Pelley said the decision to replace Ujiri was his, without explaining why. We can put the pieces together.
www.thestar.com
June 28, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Goodbye to Masai Ujiri as president of the Raptors. The dreams stayed big: it was the owners who got small. www.thestar.com/sports/rapto...
Ambition is the word of #TorontoTechWeek, but #CDNtech ambition didn't start on Monday.
For more than a decade, @ericmigi.com has been chasing a specific dream. He won't let anything get in his way.
For #MostAmbitious, the rise and fall of Pebble, and why this time will be different.
For more than a decade, @ericmigi.com has been chasing a specific dream. He won't let anything get in his way.
For #MostAmbitious, the rise and fall of Pebble, and why this time will be different.
This time, Eric Migicovsky won’t let anything get in his way
A decade after the death of Pebble, the company's founder is still chasing his dream smartwatch.
betakit.com
June 26, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Ambition is the word of #TorontoTechWeek, but #CDNtech ambition didn't start on Monday.
For more than a decade, @ericmigi.com has been chasing a specific dream. He won't let anything get in his way.
For #MostAmbitious, the rise and fall of Pebble, and why this time will be different.
For more than a decade, @ericmigi.com has been chasing a specific dream. He won't let anything get in his way.
For #MostAmbitious, the rise and fall of Pebble, and why this time will be different.
Was great chatting with @aaron.bsky.team today (twice!). Looking forward to dropping our podcast next week.
“Bluesky has this very controversial concept within us, which is to treat the company as a future adversary. Everything we do in house is to keep users in mind.”
Bluesky head of trust and safety @aaron.bsky.team speaks on the nascent social media platform’s philosophy. #MostAmbitious
Bluesky head of trust and safety @aaron.bsky.team speaks on the nascent social media platform’s philosophy. #MostAmbitious
June 23, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Was great chatting with @aaron.bsky.team today (twice!). Looking forward to dropping our podcast next week.
Reposted by Douglas Soltys
Breaking: Toronto Mayor @mayoroliviachow.ca kicked off BetaKit Town Hall #MostAmbitious by announcing 50 percent off city bike share for @TOtechweek attendees all week!
June 23, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Breaking: Toronto Mayor @mayoroliviachow.ca kicked off BetaKit Town Hall #MostAmbitious by announcing 50 percent off city bike share for @TOtechweek attendees all week!
Reposted by Douglas Soltys
In the US, money is speech.
Canada has robust laws to regulate political fundraising & spending by parties, candidates & 3rd party groups. They ensure free & fair elections, & help protect against foreign interference in our politics.
Rubio doesn’t mention Canada, but we should worry.
Canada has robust laws to regulate political fundraising & spending by parties, candidates & 3rd party groups. They ensure free & fair elections, & help protect against foreign interference in our politics.
Rubio doesn’t mention Canada, but we should worry.
Global Sovereign Citizenship
May 28, 2025 at 3:05 PM
In the US, money is speech.
Canada has robust laws to regulate political fundraising & spending by parties, candidates & 3rd party groups. They ensure free & fair elections, & help protect against foreign interference in our politics.
Rubio doesn’t mention Canada, but we should worry.
Canada has robust laws to regulate political fundraising & spending by parties, candidates & 3rd party groups. They ensure free & fair elections, & help protect against foreign interference in our politics.
Rubio doesn’t mention Canada, but we should worry.
Hearing @jay.bsky.team talk at Web Summit Vancouver reminds me of why I fell in love with social media in the first place.
The open web can still be a beautiful thing.
The open web can still be a beautiful thing.
May 28, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Hearing @jay.bsky.team talk at Web Summit Vancouver reminds me of why I fell in love with social media in the first place.
The open web can still be a beautiful thing.
The open web can still be a beautiful thing.
Reposted by Douglas Soltys
A new BDC Capital (@bdc-ca.bsky.social) report urges a "collective wake-up call" for domestic #VC investment as CVCA conference Invest Canada kicks off in Calgary. #CDNtech
Canadian VCs arrive at annual industry gathering in need of a “wake-up call”
Venture leaders publicly grapple with weak performance and uncertain future ahead of CVCA Invest Canada conference.
betakit.com
May 27, 2025 at 1:19 PM
A new BDC Capital (@bdc-ca.bsky.social) report urges a "collective wake-up call" for domestic #VC investment as CVCA conference Invest Canada kicks off in Calgary. #CDNtech
Reposted by Douglas Soltys
BetaKit (@betakit.com) bopped around Alberta this week, hitting up Inventures in Calgary and Upper Bound in Edmonton.
May 25, 2025 at 2:56 PM
BetaKit (@betakit.com) bopped around Alberta this week, hitting up Inventures in Calgary and Upper Bound in Edmonton.
BetaKit wants to report locally and connect nationally. Today's announcement is a big step forward in achieving that mission.
No better time to announce than during #Inventures2025 and #UpperBound25.
YEGAF? YEGAF!
No better time to announce than during #Inventures2025 and #UpperBound25.
YEGAF? YEGAF!
BetaKit will establish a full-time presence in Alberta in 2025, hiring a full-time journalist based in Edmonton to cover the Prairies region. #ABtech
BetaKit to open full-time Prairies bureau
Expanded presence comes as Alberta sees increase in venture funding, interprovincial migration.
betakit.com
May 21, 2025 at 1:37 PM
BetaKit wants to report locally and connect nationally. Today's announcement is a big step forward in achieving that mission.
No better time to announce than during #Inventures2025 and #UpperBound25.
YEGAF? YEGAF!
No better time to announce than during #Inventures2025 and #UpperBound25.
YEGAF? YEGAF!
Reposted by Douglas Soltys
Reposted by Douglas Soltys
This is such a tell.
AGI is coming for all of us. It will write symphonies, direct movies, and author the best novels.
The only thing it won’t be able to do is VC investing, which must be reserved as a task only for the most-special people
The only thing it won’t be able to do is VC investing, which must be reserved as a task only for the most-special people
April 30, 2025 at 3:54 PM
This is such a tell.
Reposted by Douglas Soltys
Some horrifying details on the white supremacist book purge at the Naval Academy library:
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/u...
April 12, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Some horrifying details on the white supremacist book purge at the Naval Academy library:
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/u...
Reposted by Douglas Soltys
“Changes nothing”: #CDNtech still in limbo as country escapes worst of US tariff wave.
“Changes nothing”: Canadian tech still in limbo as country escapes worst of US tariff wave
PM Mark Carney: US has signalled additional tariffs on pharmaceuticals, semiconductors.
betakit.com
April 2, 2025 at 11:47 PM
“Changes nothing”: #CDNtech still in limbo as country escapes worst of US tariff wave.
Reposted by Douglas Soltys
Unidentified men grabbing someone off the street and putting her in a car because she wrote an op-Ed. This as flatly authoritarian as anything we’ve seen in this country in a very long time.
Video of the international student at Tufts being arrested by "federal authorities" in Massachusetts has been released and it's terrifying.
They're not even uniformed officers. Just secret police thugs in hoodies and masks.
From WCVB: youtu.be/PuFIs7OkzYY
They're not even uniformed officers. Just secret police thugs in hoodies and masks.
From WCVB: youtu.be/PuFIs7OkzYY
March 26, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Unidentified men grabbing someone off the street and putting her in a car because she wrote an op-Ed. This as flatly authoritarian as anything we’ve seen in this country in a very long time.