In an effort to broaden employment opportunities, skills development, and innovation in Manitoba, national innovation organization Mitacs and Research Manitoba are advancing their strategic partnership to give local businesses and post-secondary students a boost. New funding in the amount of $4.8 million over three years has been announced to develop and retain post-secondary talent as part of several initiatives that benefit Manitoba’s research and training eco-system. This new funding will create opportunities for students and postdocs in all disciplines and ind ..read more

Keith Loiselle, in his enlightening interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, delves into the origins and aspirations behind greenre, illustrating his and his co-founder’s journey from environmental consulting to innovating in the eco-conscious consumer products space. Drawing from over two decades of experience in consumer products, branding, marketing, and licensing, Keith’s transition into developing greenre was fueled by a keen sense of environmental responsibility and a desire to make a tangible impact. His approach, deeply influenced by his expertise in sustainability and suppl ..read more

As the realm of corporate gifting evolves with changing times and technology, where tangible gifts typically take center stage, one gift company is revolutionizing the status quo by incorporating sustainability into their approach. Unwrapit fully embraces the belief that there is no alternative to our planet and understands the importance of combining gift-giving with environmental consciousness. The corporate gifting market, with a valuation of almost $250 billion and a consistent growth trajectory, has traditionally been dependent on tangible products. However, Unwrapit disrupts this convent ..read more

Gary Vegh, Co-Founder of ERA Environmental Management Solutions, Inc., shared his journey with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine from an initial environmental consulting firm to pioneering one of North America’s first Environmental Management Software solutions. Inspired by a deep-rooted family tradition of entrepreneurship and recognizing the burgeoning need for advanced environmental reporting mechanisms amidst stricter regulations, Gary, alongside Sarah Sajedi, ventured into developing a software solution aimed at simplifying environmental compliance for businesses. Their background in ec ..read more

In the pursuit of a more environmentally friendly and enduring future, renewable energy emerges as a promising prospect. However, in order to achieve global climate objectives, there is a pressing need for a substantial acceleration in clean energy innovation. Solaires Entreprises Inc. is a prominent participant in this undertaking, pushing the boundaries of solar energy with innovative photovoltaic solutions. Solaires is a leading company in the field of solar technology, driven by its objective to enhance the accessibility of solar energy while simultaneously reducing the environmental impac ..read more

David Nagy, in his interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, illuminates the journey and motivation behind founding eCommerce Canada. With a rich background in digital commerce and a track record of success with LiveOutThere.com, David leveraged his extensive experience to create a platform aimed at empowering small to medium-sized businesses to excel online. His transition from environmental consulting to developing a pioneering Environmental Management Software solution, shaped by his expertise in ecotoxicology and chemistry, highlights a visionary approach to tackling environmenta ..read more

Maude Lambert and Marie-Christine Martel, in an insightful interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, traced the remarkable evolution of Chatelaine Salon, founded in 1969 by Maude’s mother, into the innovative Concept C. Following her mother’s passing in 2008, Maude, driven by her entrepreneurial spirit and forward-thinking approach, transformed the salon into a thriving online and physical retail entity. The rebranding to Concept C in 2018 marked the beginning of an era of expansion, with the first branch opening in Trois-Rivières in 2019 and the headquarters moving to Quebec City in ..read more

In an insightful discussion with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Kari Norman, an Economist at Desjardins Group, sheds light on the gender disparities in Canadian entrepreneurship. Drawing from Desjardins’ report for International Women’s Day, Kari highlights that the majority of small- and medium-sized businesses in Canada are still predominantly male-owned, with women entrepreneurs facing significant hurdles, particularly in securing financing. Despite Canada’s better-than-average rates of early-stage female entrepreneurship, especially in Quebec, there remains a vast untapped potential ..read more

In his interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Vinayak Mahajan, the visionary CEO & Founder of GiftAFeeling Inc., delves into the pivotal moments and motivations behind founding his company. Starting as a 17-year-old international student facing significant challenges, Vinayak’s journey to the top echelons of the entrepreneurial world is marked by a blend of innovation, resilience, and a passion for making a difference. His early triumph in the Master the Mainframe World Coding Championship and subsequent experiences at leading Canadian banks revealed the inefficiencies in corp ..read more

In a compelling interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Dan, the Senior Vice President & Canadian Country Manager at Okta, shares his journey of leading Okta’s growth and expansion in Canada. With over two decades of experience in bringing new technologies to market, Dan’s passion for innovation and his empathetic leadership style have been instrumental in Okta’s success. The interview delves into Okta’s 10th annual Businesses at Work Report, highlighting the digital landscape’s seismic shifts and the insights gleaned from app choices over the years. Dan discusses the key findi ..read more