Framework Venture Partners has announced the first close of a $115 million fund for Canadian artificial intelligence (AI) startups. : Canada’s artificial intelligence (AI) startup scene is certifiably red hot. Companies like Element AI, Rubikloud, Interset, Mnubo, and Maropost have collectively raised close to $200 million alone, and in the second quarter of 2018, Canadian AI startups attracted $169 million (CAD $222 million) in venture capital financing — up 104 percent year over year. That’s coming off of a record 2017, when venture investment hit $400 million.