Pantonium's EverRun software allows transit riders to suggest pick up and drop off times and wait for AI to find an efficient route to get them where they need to go in the least amount of time. It's not Uber but it could be the next step in reducing the environmental impact of transit.
Toronto startup Peak Power’s software makes energy storage smarter during peak usage periods. But that’s just part of a wider plan that could change the way we think of renewable energy.
With 15 years in Toronto’s startup scene, Cameron Couch is well-versed in the pain-points of entrepreneurs when it comes to internet connection speed and downtime. That’s why he launched Ethica, a startup that provides software for tackling these issues.
As video games continue to borrow attention spans, Squiggle Park co-founders and serial entrepreneurs Julia Rivard Dexter and Leah Skerry have looked to the trend as an opportunity to innovate and revolutionize learning.
Inspired by the success of Canadian outerwear brands, Toronto winterwear startup UNOO has developed a premium jacket with heating elements in it to make the cold months more bearable.
"If you come to our studio and take a look at the people sitting around the table discussing ideas, they’re from almost every part of the world. I think it has really helped Umbra create an international style.”
Paul Rowan, Co-Founder, Umbra
“I think it’s an attractive place to come for talented people, it's a huge market for creative people and I think there are some companies emerging that give people hope that it can be done here.”
Mike McDerment, CEO/Co-Founder, Freshbooks
“Something that makes Toronto truly unique is that willingness to share and communicate with people very openly inside the industry looking at the global pie as something we can all co-create and achieve together.”
Satish Kanwar, VP of Product, Acceleration, Shopify
“In Toronto, Bombardier manufactures business and commercial aircraft and relies on the diversified, local regional supply chain. We work with more than 70 suppliers located in the Greater Toronto Area and we benefit from a variety of expertise going from complex machining to systems integration.”
Graham Kelly, Vice-President, Global Operations & Toronto Site, Bombardier Aerospace
"Startups in Toronto benefit from support at every stage. From the very early stage we have incubators, accelerators and seed stage investors. In the growth stage, we have funders willing to invest a lot of money to really help a company take-off. This gives tech companies in Toronto a huge advantage.”
Allen Lau, CEO & Co-Founder, Wattpad
"A culture of collaboration is really at the heart of what’s next in innovation. What’s exciting in Toronto is that we have local and international businesses partnering with the startup ecosystem and increasingly with the academic community to position themselves for success in the future. And it’s happening across the spectrum from digital media and information technology, to life sciences and healthcare, energy solutions and social innovation.”
Dr. Ilse Treurnicht, Former CEO, MaRS Discovery District
“The scale and quality of meet-ups and conferences and speaking events have gone up dramatically. You don’t need to leave Toronto to build a successful company.”