Toronto's Extreme Startups Reveals First Five Companies [Updated]

Toronto-based accelerator (not an incubator, like some misinformed people suggest) Extreme Startups has selected five companies for the inaugurual round of its program.

The organization saw applications from companies in 18 countries spanning five continents, according to TechCrunch—but ultimately settled with an all-Canadian lineup. Three startups are based in Extreme's hometown of Toronto, while one is from Edmonton and one is from Ottawa.

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Toronto’s Wave Accounting Secures $12 Million in Series B Funding

Today, Toronto-based startup Wave Accounting, a free cloud-based accounting software platform designed specifically for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs, announced that they have secured $12 million (USD) in Series B funding from the Social+Capital Partnership, a Palo Alto-based investor group aimed at turning venture capital into a socially progressive and constructive force that creates progress on a global scale, with participation from existing investors Charles River Ventures and OMERS Ventures.

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40% of Canadians Pirate Software at Economic Cost of $1.1 Billion Annually: Report

40% computer users in Canada admit they have acquired pirated software, the Business Software Alliance reported today. According to the 2011 BSA Global Software Piracy Study, 27% of all copies of software were unlicensed last year in Canada. The BSA pegs the commercial value of this priacy at more than $1.1 billion.

“If 40% of consumers admitted they shoplift—even rarely—authorities would react by increasing police patrols and penalties. Software piracy demands a similar response: concerted public education and vigorous law enforcement,” affirms Jacquie Famulak, Chairman of the BSA Canada Committee.   

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The Biggest Challenge for Tech Startups? Recruitment and Retention [Infographic]

When you think of the formidable challenges tech startup CEOs face, a few obvious things come to mind, such as raising capital from poker-faced investors and trying to sell your brand new product to fleeting consumers. It's hard to build a company from scratch. But if the saying that a business is simply the people behind it holds true, then perhaps it's not surprising that PwC found CEOs' biggest challenge these days is recruiting and retaining talent.

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Women Vanishing From Technology Industry, Survey Reveals

Technology has been one of the slower sectors to widely adopt women in the workplace, particularly in senior positions. It seemed for a while that progress was being made—but now we're taking backward steps.

The number of women in senior tech positions  in North American companies is down this year—which marks the second year in a row of reduced female numbers. According to a survey by the Harvey Nash Group, just 9% of US chief information officers are female, down from 11% in 2011 and 12% in 2010.

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Montreal's LiveRides.ca Mobilizes Ridesharing Network with Free iPhone App

Quebec-based LiveRides.ca, a ridesharing network, has launched an iPhone app. The free mobile app will allow long distance commuters to find and offer car rides anywhere in Canada from their smartphone.

 “Canadians have traditionally stayed away from other forms of ridesharing. Up until now, drivers and passengers didn’t have the ability to see who they’d share a ride with,” said Steven LaChance, co-founder of LiveRides.ca. "With LiveRides social profiles, drivers and passengers now have the ability to view each other’s profiles to help them make a more informed decision about their travel partner. By sharing a ride, people save gas and money, reduce carbon emissions and meet new friends.” 

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Wind Mobile Losing Gusto as Growth Comes to Grinding Halt

Canadian discount wireless carrier Wind Mobile added only 12,364 new subscribers during its last quarter, the company reported today. This is up just 3% from the previous quarter.

The startup carrier now has 415,000 subscribers, despite once boasting about a lofty goal of having one million by this time. Wind is also struggling to increase ARPU—it's up only 2.2% year-over-year.

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All Teenagers Know the Dangers of Texting While Driving, But Half Still Do It Anyway: Study

97% of teenagers agree that texting while driving is dangerous. Two-thirds agree that it is very dangerous.

And yet... half of them do it anyway.

This alarming statistic is the result of a nationwide survey conducted by telecom behemoth AT&T in the US. The research found that  a shocking 43% of American teens have texted while driving in the past three months.

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