Ultimarii raises $5.2M to boost AI for project approvals

Ultimarii has secured CAD $5.2 million in funding to scale its artificial intelligence-enabled platform aimed at streamlining regulatory processes for major infrastructure and resource projects.

The platform is capable of analysing vast amounts of regulatory documentation, enabling users to assess the feasibility of complex projects within minutes and identify potential risks that could otherwise result in significant regulatory delays. Ultimarii states that by cross-referencing current project filings with historical approvals, its platform assists regulators and project proponents alike in focusing on critical areas and improving the transparency of decision-making in the regulatory approval process.

The platform is built for workers in the regulated industries of law, energy, utilities and government. It used AI to assist in searching regulatory data, reviewing documents, and drafting applications.

Ultimarii was co-founded by Doug Schweitzer, a former Minister of Justice and Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation for Alberta, alongside technology entrepreneur Josh Malate. According to the company, their combined experience in law, government, and technology underpins the mission to enhance regulatory systems for a range of stakeholders.

"In Canada, the conversation has shifted from whether we should build to how we can build faster while maintaining rigorous standards - and that requires innovation at every step of the approval pathway. If we want ports, energy corridors, critical minerals and nuclear power approved this decade - not the next - we have to modernise the process with technology that's transparent, reliable and built for Canada's regulatory reality," said Schweitzer.

The company is supported by a group of senior advisors from across Canada's regulatory, legal, and industry sectors. Grant Sprague, former Deputy Minister of Energy for Alberta, contributes expertise in provincial energy regulation and policy, while Gitane De Silva, former CEO of the Canada Energy Regulator, brings knowledge of both federal and provincial regulatory frameworks. Additional advisors with industry leadership backgrounds add further guidance to Ultimarii's strategic direction.

The funding round was led by Staircase Ventures, with involvement from Alpaca VC and Scale Good Fund. Investors in this round are based in Alberta, Toronto, and New York, indicating interest in regulatory technology from both Canadian and international markets.

In addition, Ultimarii has established partnerships with the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii), Alberta Innovates, Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund, and PrairiesCan. These collaborations are designed to support applied AI research, facilitate commercialisation, and expand the reach of regulatory technology solutions.

On the subject of Canadian AI research and its application in industry, Cam Linke, CEO of Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii), added: "Canada's strength in AI stems from our ability to convert world-class research into real-world solutions. Partnerships like this, which bring together Canadian startups and leading research institutes, are vital to driving innovation and ensuring Canadian leadership in the global AI race. We're proud to support Ultimarii as they shape the future of the regulatory process."

The financing and collaboration announced by Ultimarii underline ongoing efforts by Canadian technology companies to modernise regulatory frameworks and facilitate the delivery of major projects across the country.