News Summary

Gander Social, an Ottawa-based social media startup, has successfully raised over $1 million through an equity crowdfunding campaign on FrontFundr, a Toronto-based platform. This campaign saw participation from more than 1,300 Canadian investors, exceeding its initial funding target in just over a week. Founded by CEO Ben Waldman, Gander aims to create a sovereign Canadian social network that operates independently from major American tech giants like X and Meta. The company has already attracted 34,000 signups and has set a goal to reach 500,000 Canadians by its public launch in 2026. The funds raised will be used to expand the team, enhance platform features, and prepare for the official launch. Gander’s platform, which will use the AT Protocol for enhanced user data control, plans to offer a subscription-based model devoid of surveillance ads.