BCB Weekly Roundup: Back to business for Trevor Linden

The latest in what’s happening around the B.C. business community

Each week, BCBusiness gives you an update on some of the stories turning heads across the province.

Like a major sports franchise booting one of the most recognizable names in the province, here’s what had our attention this week. 

I can see Clearly now

The Vancouver Canucks and team president Trevor Linden parted ways “amicably” this week (except, according to almost every source, it wasn’t amicable at all).

Questions abound about what direction the team is headed in now, but at least it gives Linden some time to work on two local businesses he’s been affiliated with.

One is Vancouver-based Clearly, for which the former hockey star has advertised; he even has his own collection of frames with the company.

Linden also started a gym, Club16 Fitness, with nine locations across Metro Vancouver and another one on the way in Tsawwassen. Although he will no longer be involved with the organization that made him famous, we’d wager that he won’t be bored in the aftermath of his split with the Canucks.

Trippy transit 

In an announcement that had been forecast since Morgan Freeman was accused of harassment and inappropriate behaviour, Seth Rogen was announced as the new voice of public transit in Vancouver.

As the city gets increasingly busy and transit users not-so-patiently wait for a Broadway subway line to help massage the massive lines waiting for the B-Line, it’ll help to have a dose of pot-infused humour on the commute.

In the end, it’s a step in the eventual war between Rogen and Ryan Reynolds for Vancouver’s favourite hometown celebrity.

Credit: Lindsay Siu

Coulson Ice Blast vice-president Foster Coulson

Ice ice baby

BCBusiness 30 Under 30 winner Foster Coulson continues to make news with his company Coulson Ice Blast. This time, the Port Alberni-based industrial cleaning business (which revolutionized the industry by using ice instead of water) made the Silicon Review‘s list of the 50 most innovative companies to watch for 2018.  

The honour even elicited this reaction from Navdeep Bains, Canada’s minister of innovation, science and economic development: 

“I’d like to extend congratulations to Coulson Ice Blast on their recognition as one of the 50 most innovative companies of 2018. Coulson‘s IceStorm technology is revolutionizing the industrial cleaning industry by harnessing the power of ice and dry ice for more effective cleaning.”

All of this raises the question of where the hell Mr. Bains was when we had the immense foresight to put Coulson in our 30 Under 30 this past April. Clearly he’s favouring U.S. publications over homegrown material. Come on, Navdeep. Unimpressed.

Credit: Courtesy of LoginRadius

LoginRadius co-founders Rakesh Soni and Deepak Gupta

On the Radius

Vancouver-based LoginRadius got some good news this week as it announced a US$17-million series A funding round, co-led by ForgePoint Capital and Microsoft’s venture fund, M12.  

The customer identity platform helps businesses identify easy and convenient access to their online properties.

In 2012, Deepak Gupta and Rakesh Soni founded LoginRadius as a social login widget after recognizing the hassles of registration on websites and their negative effects on conversion rates.

It probably won’t be long until the company is regarded as a local success story, if it’s not already. With offices in London, San Francisco, Sydney and Jaipur, LoginRadius has plans to more than double its workforce in the next 12 months.

Home again

And finally, the future will be on display at Burnaby 8 Rinks this weekend when the Telus Future Home stops by from July 28 to August 4. Attendees will be able to admire Future Home amenities like facial recognition software, a smart fridge and VR gear.

Is bringing newfangled technology into your home more or less nerve-wracking than rolling through with a new boy/girlfriend to introduce to your parents?

We, as a society, may be about to find out.