Finix first launched in Canada in 2024 and is committed to helping Canadian businesses modernize payments with its robust payment stack, developer-friendly APIs, and no-code/low-code tools. It also enables U.S.-based companies to expand internationally without the need for multiple APIs, integrations, or compliance challenges. Now with direct integrations to all major Canadian card networks, Finix eliminates the need for third-party gateways or additional providers.

“Businesses need to offer their customers options to pay however works for them, but until now, that meant stitching together different tools. Finix gives businesses one platform to focus on growth rather than payment complexity,” says Richie Serna, CEO of Finix. “Our integration with Interac makes it easier for businesses in Canada to accept in-store payments the way customers actually want to pay. We’re making localized omnichannel payments more accessible than ever.”

“Finix’s expansion is a powerful example of how global fintech leaders are choosing Toronto for more than market access; they’re choosing collaboration,” said Stephen Lund, CEO of Toronto Global. “By building here, Finix is helping modernize Canada’s payment infrastructure, creating high-value jobs, and deepening the talent and technology ecosystem that keeps our region at the forefront of financial innovation.”

The Challenge: Complex Payments Across Borders

Expanding into Canada has traditionally required managing multiple vendors, separate APIs, and local banking rules. This creates friction, operational risk, and slows growth for both Canadian businesses and U.S.-based companies expanding internationally.

Interac Debit supports contact and contactless payments, ensuring secure transactions compliant with Canadian standards. This allows Finix to provide a single, reliable platform that streamlines payments across borders while maintaining compliance with local regulations.

Finix’s Omnichannel Solution: One Platform, Many Possibilities

With Interac integrated, Finix now provides a modern, full payment stack that supports:

• Point-of-sale terminals for in-person payments
• Online checkout for e-commerce
• Onboarding and payouts for smooth operations
• Risk tools and settlement flows for security and compliance.

Businesses no longer need third-party gateways, multiple APIs, or a team of developers to build and deploy high-performing omnichannel payment infrastructure. Finix handles all major Canadian card networks directly, including Interac, allowing companies to focus on serving customers rather than managing numerous payment systems. With developer-friendly APIs and a suite of no-code/low-code payment tools, Finix is empowering Canadian businesses to create tailored payment solutions that fit their unique business needs.

Ready to simplify payments and streamline operations across channels? Discover how Finix’s omnichannel platform can seamlessly manage both in-store and online payments.

Partnerships That Power Seamless Payments

Finix’s expansion into Canada is supported by its partnership with Toronto Global.

Toronto Global shared: “Toronto was a natural choice for Finix’s expansion into Canada. As the country’s largest financial centre and one of North America’s fastest-growing tech hubs, Toronto offers unparalleled access to payment networks, engineering talent, and a thriving fintech ecosystem anchored by global players and emerging innovators. Its strong regulatory environment, proximity to major U.S. markets, and collaborative public–private sector support make it an ideal launchpad for Finix’s international growth and for modernizing payments across borders.”

This partnership ensures technical excellence and reinforces Finix’s commitment to local engagement, talent development, and economic growth.

The Merchant Experience: Real Benefits in Action

A mid-sized Canadian coffee chain recently adopted Finix’s platform. Previously, reconciling online and in-store transactions caused reporting delays and frustrated staff—the result: faster transactions, happier customers, and reduced operational friction.

With Finix:

• Online orders sync instantly with in-store inventory
• Staff can accept Interac debit and contactless payments without additional equipment.
• Accounting and reporting are automated.
• This demonstrates how Finix’s omnichannel platform empowers businesses to modernize payments without overhauling existing processes.

Scaling Payments Across Borders

Offering localized payment solutions is critical for businesses. Finix simplifies expansion into Canada by:

• Providing one API for U.S. and Canadian payments
• Handling compliance and local regulations automatically
• Offering direct integration with Interac and all major Canadian card networks
• This enables businesses to grow internationally with confidence and minimal complexity.

Investing in the Future of Payments

Finix is scaling its Canadian presence through local hiring, partnerships, and long-term investment, supporting more businesses as they modernize their payment infrastructure.

This expansion aligns with Finix’s broader mission: removing friction from payments globally. As card-present capabilities now live in Canada, more businesses can scale confidently while keeping transactions secure, compliant, and seamless.

Ready to simplify payments and grow your business across borders? Explore how Finix’s omnichannel platform can transform payment operations in North America.

Read the full press release here

TORONTO, October 21, 2025 – SK Biopharmaceuticals, a global life-sciences company based in South Korea, and Eurofarma, a leading Brazilian multinational pharmaceutical company, today announced the launch of their joint venture, Mentis Care, in Toronto, Canada.

Mentis Care will focus on research and development of AI-powered digital health solutions for the management of neurological disorders, beginning with technology designed to improve diagnosis and care for people living with epilepsy. The company’s initial platform will combine advanced artificial-intelligence algorithms with real-time electroencephalogram (EEG) data to support early seizure prediction and personalized treatment planning.

This partnership marks SK Biopharmaceuticals’ and Eurofarma’s first joint digital-health venture in North America, representing a shared commitment to advancing global innovation in central-nervous-system (CNS) disorders through responsible AI and collaborative research.

“SK Biopharmaceuticals is expanding beyond pharmaceuticals into digital healthcare to open new possibilities in patient care,” said Donghoon Lee, CEO of SK Biopharmaceuticals. “Through Mentis Care, we will advance toward patient-centered innovation by integrating AI and clinical data to improve epilepsy treatment.”

“For Eurofarma, the joint venture represents the future we envision for healthcare, combining digital technologies and medicines for a transformative and positive leap in patients’ lives. We are a reference in central nervous system treatments in Latin America, with a broad portfolio of medicines and close relationships with psychiatrists and neurologists. For some years now, we have added digital innovation investments to our R&D activities, and since 2022, we have maintained a small operation in North America. With this new partnership, we will strengthen these fronts in a single move,” says Rodrigo Pereira, Director of Entrepreneurship and Digital at Eurofarma.

Mentis Care has appointed Hassan Kotob, former Chief Executive Officer of Brain Scientific, as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Kotob, a veteran healthcare and technology executive with a proven track record across high-growth and emerging technology companies, will lead Mentis Care’s development of a first-of-its-kind, AI- and data-driven platform for predictive brain health — transforming how seizures and other neurological events are forecast and managed.

“Mentis Care is an AI-driven digital health company with a mission to help patients with epilepsy live safer and more independently through AI-powered seizure prediction and monitoring,” said Hassan Kotob, CEO of Mentis Care. “By combining the innovation capabilities of our partners, SK Biopharmaceuticals and Eurofarma, we aim to establish a new standard in digital epilepsy management for patients worldwide.”

Located in the MaRS Discovery District, Mentis Care joins one of the world’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems, supported by leading institutions such as the University of Toronto, the Vector Institute, and a network of globally recognized research hospitals.

“On behalf of the City of Toronto, I am delighted to welcome Mentis Care to our growing community of innovators,” said Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto. “Toronto’s world-class talent, research institutions, and collaborative ecosystem continue to attract leading global companies that see our city as a partner in advancing health and technology for universal benefit.”

Toronto Global and Invest Ontario provided advisory support to Mentis Care and its parent companies throughout their North American expansion process.

“The decision by SK Biopharmaceuticals and Eurofarma to establish Mentis Care in Toronto is a strong vote of confidence in our region’s leadership in AI and life sciences,” said Stephen Lund, CEO, Toronto Global. “Their presence will contribute to a growing wave of AI-enabled health innovation that is shaping the future of patient care worldwide.”

“We’re proud that SK Biopharmaceuticals and Eurofarma chose Ontario as the base for their next phase of growth,” said Khawar Nasim, CEO of Invest Ontario. “This expansion reflects the confidence international investors have in the Ontario life sciences community and aligns with our strategy to diversify and deepen partnerships that contribute to a more resilient economy.

For more information about Toronto Global, please visit www.torontoglobal.ca.

Contact

Erika Lewis, Manager, Communications 416-271-2641 elewis@torontoglobal.ca

About SK Life Science, Inc. and SK Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.

SK Life Science, Inc., with headquarters in Paramus, New Jersey, is a U.S. subsidiary of SK Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., a pioneering South Korean company in drug development and commercialization. Together, they are advancing innovative treatments for central nervous system (CNS) disorders and oncology, with eight compounds currently in development. Utilizing target-based drug discovery, high-throughput organic screening/high content screening, computer-aided drug design, and combinatorial chemistry, the companies drive R&D efforts in biology/discovery, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and clinical development. For more information, visit www.SKLifeScienceInc.com.

Group is a collection of global industry-leading companies driving innovations in energy, advanced materials, biopharmaceuticals and digital business. Based in Seoul, SK invests in building sustainable businesses around the world with a shared commitment to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. SK companies combined have $151 billion in global annual revenue and employ more than 100,000 people worldwide. SK Group is one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential Companies of 2023. SK Inc., the parent company of SK Biopharmaceuticals, continues to enhance its portfolio value by executing long-term investments with a number of competitive subsidiaries in various business areas, including pharmaceuticals and life science, energy and chemicals, information and telecommunication, and semiconductors. In addition, SK Inc. is focused on reinforcing its growth foundations through profitable and practical management based on financial stability, while raising its enterprise value by investing in new future growth businesses. For more information about SK Inc., visit https://sk-inc.com/en/main/mainpage.aspx. For more information about SK Biopharmaceuticals, visit
www.skbp.com/eng.

About Mentis Care

Mentis Care is an AI-driven digital health company transforming neurological care through the first predictive AI platform for brain health. The platform is designed to detect and forecast seizures and other neurological events in real time. By combining advanced machine learning with clinical expertise, Mentis Care aims to give patients and families greater safety, confidence, and peace of mind — while setting a new global standard in brain health and digital neuromonitoring.

• Cognichip expands partnerships with the University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo to grow the next generation of chip design engineers.
• This builds on rapid momentum since launching out of stealth in May with $33M in seed funding, adding world-class advisors.

Toronto, ON– October 9, 2025 — Today, Cognichip, the company pioneering Artificial Chip Intelligence (ACI®) for semiconductor design, announces the opening of its new office in downtown Toronto. The new location will serve as a hub for engineering and research excellence, strengthening Cognichip’s global footprint and supporting its mission to transform how semiconductors are designed.

Toronto was selected for its deep experienced talent pool, world-class AI research, and strong tech landscape. With leading universities and research institutions at the University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo nearby, the city offers Cognichip access to top-tier engineering and AI talent.

Cognichip’s Toronto office will house engineering, research, and business development teams as the company continues to grow rapidly. 

“As our presence continues to grow, we need a location that could match our pace of innovation and scale,” said Faraj Aalaei, CEO and Founder of Cognichip. “Toronto stood out for its exceptional ecosystem — from the brilliant students at the University of Toronto and University of Waterloo to the city’s vibrant research community with decades of notable contributions to science and technology. Our new office allows us to tap into international talent, build lasting partnerships, and accelerate both our technology and mission.”

The Toronto expansion reflects growing international recognition of the region’s technical capabilities and business environment for AI-driven hardware companies.

“We’re proud to welcome Cognichip to Toronto, where its investment will create high-quality jobs, strengthen Toronto’s global position as a leader in AI and advanced compute, and help fuel long-term economic growth for our city,” said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. 

That vision is strengthened by Cognichip’s decision to base its new office within MaRS Discovery District, North America’s largest urban innovation hub and a cornerstone of Toronto’s tech community.

“Welcoming Cognichip into the MaRS community is exactly the kind of collaboration we aim to foster,” said Ian Spence, Business Development Manager at MaRS Discovery District. “By locating within our innovation hub across from the University of Toronto, Cognichip is joining a thriving network of researchers, entrepreneurs, and partners committed to advancing science and technology at scale.”

Through the University of Waterloo’s renowned co-op program, Cognichip hired several top-tier students for the September–December semester and plans to hire additional students in early 2026. In parallel, the company is collaborating with researchers and faculty at the University of Toronto while continuing to recruit experienced engineers and AI experts. Together, these efforts expand Cognichip’s pipeline of talent and reinforce its commitment to combining fresh perspectives with seasoned expertise to shape the future of chip design.

Since launching in May 2025 with $33M in seed funding, Cognichip has quickly built momentum, from growing its team and advisors to deepening partnerships with leading universities. That collaboration is already being recognized by faculty leaders:

The University of Waterloo’s co-op program is designed to connect bright and skilled talent with industry leaders for their needs now and in the future,” said Shabnam Ivković, Director, Industry Relations, University of Waterloo. “Cognichip’s commitment to hiring and mentoring our students strengthens the Toronto-Waterloo innovation corridor.

“We’re excited to welcome Cognichip into the metropolitan Toronto area and give our students and faculty another avenue in AI innovation,” said Peyman Mohajerin Esfahani, Associate Professor, University of Toronto, and Scientific Advisor at Cognichip. “Cognichip’s approach to AI and semiconductors is exactly the kind of opportunity that helps our students, faculty, and graduates thrive.”

Toronto Global, the organization that proactively attracts international companies to expand into the Greater Toronto Area, is a strategic partner in Cognichip’s Toronto expansion:

“When a top venture-backed semiconductor AI company makes Toronto its first international office, that signals something important about our competitive position in AI and deep tech,” said Stephen Lund, CEO of Toronto Global. “Cognichip isn’t just setting up a satellite office—they’re making a substantial investment in engineering and research here because they see our talent ecosystem as a strategic advantage. This move validates and showcases the Toronto Region as a place where the world’s most innovative companies can scale.”

About Cognichip

Cognichip is developing the world’s first Artificial Chip Intelligence (ACI®) to reimagine chip design. Founded by experts from Amazon, Google, Apple, Aquantia, Synopsys, and KLA, the company tackles high cost and inaccessibility in chip development, enabling hardware to evolve as quickly as software innovation.

Backed by $33 million in seed funding from Mayfield, Lux Capital, FPV, and Candou Ventures, Cognichip’s ACI® reduces design cycles by 50%, cuts development costs by 75%, and optimizes power, performance, and efficiency. ACI® accelerates innovation and broadens access to semiconductor technology by making it easier, more affordable, and accessible to a broader range of innovators. Learn more at www.cognichip.ai.

Media Contact

Rick Liebling, Vice President, VSC on behalf of Cognichip

cognichip@vsc.co 

“I founded Heidi to build an AI Care Partner that stands alongside clinicians, empowering them to deliver the care to which they have dedicated their lives.”

The Series B funding will accelerate Heidi’s mission to build an AI Care Partner that sits alongside clinicians, expanding their capacity by automating tasks such as clinical documentation, evidence search, and follow-up communications. Research shows clinicians spend nearly as much time on administration as on patient care. In just 18 months, Heidi has returned more than 18 million hours to frontline clinicians by streamlining critical administrative tasks.

Dr. Thomas Kelly, the CEO and co-founder of Heidi and former vascular surgical resident, said:

“It is untenable that healthcare demand continues to rise while clinical time continues to shrink. Building a sustainable healthcare system requires expanding clinical capacity without compromising clinician wellbeing or patient safety. That’s why I founded Heidi: to build an AI Care Partner that stands alongside clinicians, empowering them to deliver the care to which they have dedicated their lives.”

Tens of thousands of clinicians from over 200 medical specialties have turned to Heidi to ease administrative overload. Over the past 18 months, Heidi has supported 73 million patient consults and now supports over two million consults weekly in 110 languages across 116 countries.

As part of this Series B funding round, Heidi will continue to expand their headcount, office locations and local support in the USA, UK and Canadian markets and build on clinician-led adoption in France, Spain, Germany, Ireland, South Africa, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Primary care, hospitals and healthcare systems are exploring AI capabilities with Heidi, in:

• the UK selected by Modality Partnership in the largest deployment of ambient AI in UK and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; in pilot programmes with NHS Trusts across the North West London Acute Provider Collaborative – a group of hospitals serving a local population of ~2.2 million and One LSC, the collective of the five NHS Trusts in Lancashire and South Cumbria, serving nearly 1.8 million people;
• the USA with Beth Israel Lahey Health, the largest network of hospitals in Massachusetts and is cited as a “transformation partner” by MaineGeneral, one of the largest hospital networks in Maine which operates the biggest outpatient centre in the state;
• Canada as the official choice of the Yukon Government;
• Australia’s public health system with Monash Health, serving a local population of ~1.6 million across 40 facilities including 7 hospitals, and Queensland Health Children’s Hospital and Health Service, who leads life changing-care for children and young people, delivering a full range of clinical services, tertiary level specialist care and health promotion programs;
• New Zealand, formally endorsed by the Health Ministry as one of two healthcare AI providers safe to trial in the public health system.

Sri Chandrasekar, Managing Partner at Point72 Private Investments, which led the Series B funding round said:

“We believe administrative burden is contributing to clinician burnout and capacity challenges across healthcare systems. Heidi’s platform has the potential to meaningfully improve how clinicians manage their administrative workflows. We’re impressed by the adoption rates they’ve demonstrated within health systems and are excited to support their vision of expanding healthcare capacity while preserving the human touch in patient care.”

Heidi also today announced the appointment of Paul Williamson as Chief Revenue Officer, and Dr. Simon Kos as Chief Medical Officer.

Paul Williamson, previously Head of Revenue at Plaid, said:

“During my career, I’ve chosen to work with companies that have transformed their respective industries – from Salesforce in customer relationship management to Plaid in financial services. Today, I join Heidi’s mission to redefine healthcare in the age of AI.”

Dr. Simon Kos, previously Chief Medical Officer of Microsoft, said:

“With Heidi by their side, clinicians not only improve their experience of delivering care but the patients’ experience of receiving it. Heidi’s bold vision extends beyond the current promise of ambient voice technology and into a future where every clinician can leverage AI to expand their clinical capacity while protecting the human touch in healthcare.”

About Heidi

Heidi is building an AI Care Partner to expand clinical capacity by automating administrative work — documentation, form filling, and task management — so clinicians can focus on patients. Used across emergency departments, general practice, and specialist clinics, Heidi supports more than 2 million consults each week in 110 languages from 116 countries. Founded in Melbourne, Australia, Heidi has raised $96.6M USD from global investors including Point72 Private Investments, Blackbird, Headline, Phoenix Court’s growth fund – Latitude, Possible Ventures, and Archangel. Heidi adheres to international standards including the NHS, HIPAA, GDPR, and Australian Privacy Principles, and has obtained enterprise-grade security certifications such as SOC2 and ISO27001.

Learn more at heidihealth.com.

Contacts

Heidi Media:
Emma MacKenzie
media@heidihealth.com

USA:
Mackenzie Kreitler
mkreitler@heycommand.com

UK:
Rachel Gurney
rachel@founderscomms.co

Australia, New Zealand, Asia Pacific:
Caroline Shawyer
caroline@prgroup.com.au

Canada:
Lauren Hayes
lauren@pulsepointcommunications.ca

Since entering the Canadian market, HUNGRY has already hired 28 employees and contractors. HUNGRY plans to continue growing its Canadian team in the coming year.

Canada’s strong workplace culture and demand for curated culinary experiences made the country a natural choice for HUNGRY’s international growth. By integrating Foodee’s established network of independent restaurant partners and corporate clients with HUNGRY’s technology-driven platform, the company is well-positioned to deliver seamless, chef-driven food solutions to Canadian businesses. The Toronto Region will serve as a key hub for this growth, providing access to one of North America’s largest corporate markets and a diverse talent pool. 

Over the past year, HUNGRY has advanced its mission through two transformative acquisitions: Garten, a forward-thinking snacks and pantry company, and Foodee. These integrations have broadened its ability to enhance workplace culture, promote well-being, and support sustainability while continuing to expand its footprint across North America.

Canadian businesses’ readiness to embrace new solutions has also accelerated HUNGRY’s success in the market. “Canadian businesses and consumers are impressively quick to adapt to new solutions and technologies,” said Jeff Grass, CEO at HUNGRY. “The readiness to embrace our unique platform and services has been remarkable, allowing us to swiftly make an impact and tailor our offerings to meet the specific needs of Canadian workplaces and events seamlessly.”

Toronto Global, the organization that proactively attracts international companies to expand into the Greater Toronto Area, worked with HUNGRY on its expansion. “Local expertise is invaluable. Partnering with established Canadian brands, great Canadian law firms like Arid Berlis and other organizations is one of the most effective ways to build credibility and foster community connections,” said Grass.

“HUNGRY’s decision to choose Toronto as its first foray into Canada is a testament to the strength of our market, the diversity of our talent, and the entrepreneurial spirit that fuels innovation here,” said Stephen Lund, CEO, Toronto Global. “With access to one of the largest corporate communities in North America and a thriving food culture, HUNGRY will have no shortage of clients in our region.”

Mayor Olivia Chow also highlighted Toronto’s role as a gateway to growth. “Toronto is proud to welcome HUNGRY to our city,” said Mayor Olivia Chow. “Our world-class culinary scene, diverse talent, and dynamic business community make Toronto a natural destination for companies that want to innovate and thrive. We look forward to seeing HUNGRY grow and contribute to the fabric of our city,” said Mayor Chow.

As the company continues to grow in Canada, its focus remains on empowering local chefs and restaurants, fostering innovation in workplace dining, and delivering happiness one meal at a time.

About HUNGRY

HUNGRY is a food-tech platform that provides exceptional catering, snacks, and event services to workplaces across North America. With a mission to deliver happiness through food, HUNGRY connects companies with top local chefs and restaurants while supporting sustainability and community impact. Founded in 2017, HUNGRY now serves clients across major U.S. and Canadian cities, fueled by its chef-first model and innovative technology.

Media Contact:
Briana Scazafabo
Senior Director of Marketing
briana@tryhungry.com
267-575-3310

The village’s role as a commercial district and as a site of cultural capital is unique. Church and Wellesley is a living business ecosystem that reflects the intersection of identity, advocacy, and economic vitality, having driven tourism, entrepreneurship, and the creative industry in Toronto for decades.

What happens when community, activism and business collide? It happens more than you think, and Toronto’s gay village reflects the benefits of keeping the human side of business at the forefront.

A Village Built on Visibility

In the 1970s and 80s, as police raids and social marginalization pushed gay bars and community hubs from the periphery to central, urban neighbourhoods, the Village offered both affordability and proximity to downtown. Early businesses, many of them bars, cafes, and bookstores, were not just commercial ventures but sanctuaries. Places like The Barn, Chatelaine’s, and Glad Day Bookshop were deeply tied to political organizing and social support networks.

That dual purpose as both business and safe space shaped a unique commercial identity. It wasn’t just about making money; it was about building visibility and sustaining a community. The early economy of Church-Wellesley was activist by necessity, with businesses often operating under the threat of discrimination or violence. In this sense, the Village’s economy was inseparable from its identity.

Over the years, the Village’s commercial and cultural influence expanded, shifting from underground necessity to celebrated centrepiece, all the way up to present-day Pride Month, now one of Toronto’s most significant economic drivers.

Pride as a Growth Engine

Today, Pride Month is one of Toronto’s most profitable seasonal events, bringing in over $300 million in economic impact in a typical year. Much of that activity is concentrated in and around Church and Wellesley. Restaurants, local retailers, event organizers, and production companies benefit from the influx of people, and Pride-related spending supports hundreds of temporary and permanent jobs.

Pride Toronto has grown from a protest march into a global-scale festival, but Church-Wellesley remains its heart. For small businesses, the weeks surrounding Pride are crucial to annual revenues. Pop-ups, partnerships, and branded sponsorships line the streets, and business owners often plan inventory, staffing, and marketing strategies around the event. In this sense, Church-Wellesley functions like a cultural engine, turning identity into economic momentum.

But this success also underscores a growing tension. While Pride drives tourism, some long-standing community members worry about the commercialization of queer spaces. The question of who benefits economically looms large, but one thing is for certain: the village drives growth in a number of ways and cannot be discounted as an economic engine.

Gentrification and the Queer Economy

Like many urban cultural enclaves, the Village has not been immune to gentrification. Over the past two decades, the area has seen rising rents, condo developments, and a gradual shift in demographics. While change is inevitable, it has come at a cost to the small businesses that defined the Village’s character.

Independent LGBTQ2S+-owned businesses have faced mounting pressures from increasing real estate costs and changing consumer patterns. Chains and corporate franchises have slowly edged into the area, often offering more financial resilience but less cultural specificity. The closure of venues like Fly Nightclub and The Barn were not just economic losses, they were symbolic of a shift from grassroots queer enterprise to a more corporatized streetscape.

That said, the business environment is far from homogeneous. Many queer entrepreneurs continue to innovate within these constraints. Spaces like Glad Day Bookshop, which reimagined itself as a bookstore-bar-performance venue, show that resilience and adaptability is baked into the Village’s economic DNA. These hybrid models are not just about survival, they reflect an evolved understanding of community, experience, and commerce.

The Rise of Queer-Owned Businesses Across Toronto

While Church-Wellesley remains the symbolic and historical centre, LGBTQ2S+–owned businesses are thriving across the city, injecting inclusive values, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit into Toronto’s broader economy.

One of the most visible success stories is Craig’s Cookies. What started as a home kitchen operation by actor-turned-baker Craig Pike has exploded into a Toronto-wide brand with multiple storefronts. Known for its nostalgic, joy-filled branding and Pride-forward packaging, Craig’s Cookies is a model of how queer identity can be a business advantage, standing proudly at the intersection of authenticity and mass appeal. Pike has spoken about the connection between his values and his business model, saying in a 2024 interview: “I saw how happy people got when their cookies were delivered to the door. I’m a queer man who owns a business. My ethics and my morals and what I stand for are mirrored in the business.”

Other standout businesses include El Pocho Antojitos Bar, a queer Latina-owned Mexican kitchen in the Annex that blends casual dining with community warmth; and Studio Fontana, a gender-affirming salon that regularly hosts drag and beauty workshops in the heart of the city’s Entertainment District.

Even retail and lifestyle spaces like Beadle, a queer-owned design shop in Roncesvalles, and the reinvented Glad Day Bookshop continue to redefine what queer entrepreneurship looks like. These ventures thrive by cultivating loyal customer bases, hiring inclusively, and contributing to neighbourhood identity even beyond The Village.

Innovation Through Inclusion

Church-Wellesley has also played a vital role in fostering inclusive hiring practices and serving as a training ground for LGBTQ2S+ professionals. For decades, businesses in the Village have offered opportunities to individuals who faced barriers elsewhere, whether in hospitality, retail, or the arts. In many ways, it has functioned as a micro-economy of inclusion.

There’s also a ripple effect. Businesses that started in the Village often go on to influence wider markets, bringing queer-centered design, marketing, and experience to more mainstream contexts. For example, queer-owned creative agencies and production companies now work with national and international clients, bringing a distinctly Toronto voice to global conversations.

One organization helping carry this momentum forward is Start Proud, a Toronto-based non-profit that operates one of Canada’s few dedicated LGBTQ2S+ professional accelerators. With a focus on mentorship, career development, and corporate inclusion, Start Proud connects queer professionals — especially those entering industries like finance, law, and tech — with resources and leadership networks. It reflects how queer-focused business infrastructure is evolving, moving beyond retail to influence Canada’s corporate and innovation economy.

Moreover, the Village has become a testing ground for public policy and business grants aimed at supporting equity-deserving entrepreneurs. Programs from the City of Toronto and BIA initiatives focused on the Church-Wellesley corridor have helped stabilize the area post-COVID, offering rent subsidies, outdoor dining infrastructure, and marketing funds to preserve its cultural and commercial vibrancy. 

Local City Councillor Chris Moise, who represents Ward 13 Toronto Centre, which includes Church-Wellesley, and is one of the city’s openly gay elected officials, has been a vocal advocate for the economic and cultural importance of the Village. In 2023, he emphasized the critical role of small business support during Pride season, noting, “I have been working tirelessly … to support businesses in The Village, especially during Pride weekend.” Since then, Moise has supported BIA initiatives, called for increased city funding, and worked to ensure Pride events have the necessary infrastructure to benefit local entrepreneurs.

The Village as a Creative Economy

From drag performances to theatre, Church-Wellesley has long contributed to Toronto’s broader creative economy. Venues like Buddies in Bad Times Theatre have launched careers, hosted festivals, and incubated new works that go on to national stages. These artistic contributions generate economic value through ticket sales, tourism, grant funding, and employment.

It’s important to recognize that cultural production is part of the business environment, especially in a city like Toronto, where the creative industries account for over $11 billion in GDP. The Village may not resemble the financial district, but it plays a parallel role: attracting talent, creating jobs, and enhancing the city’s global brand.

The Business of Belonging

To view Church-Wellesley purely as a cultural district is to miss the full picture. It’s an economic microcosm shaped by identity and activism but driven by entrepreneurship, tourism, real estate, and creativity. The Village has always been both a neighbourhood and a business environment built on the principle that inclusion itself is economically powerful.

For Toronto to thrive as a global city, it must recognize the Village not as a niche, but as a nucleus, where culture, commerce, and community intersect in uniquely impactful ways. That recognition is more than symbolic, it’s smart business.

When Korean developer Blue Ocean Games recently announced it would establish its North American headquarters in downtown Toronto, it wasn’t an outlier—it was further proof of a growing trend. Over the past decade, the city has quietly built one of the fastest-growing video game development hubs in North America, attracting both multinational publishers and independent creators alike.

Like anything else, it’s hard to pin down the exact origins of a scene, but 2010 is a good candidate when it comes to game development in Toronto. As for the location, that would be a former General Electric warehouse buzzing with creative energy in the heart of the Junction Triangle, a neighourhood that had voted to name itself as such in that same year. 

It’s here that Ubisoft chose to open its Toronto HQ, putting both the neighbourhood and the city on the gaming map, crafting blockbusters like Assasins Creed Shadows, Splinter Cell Blacklist, Far Cry 6, and Starlink: Battle for Atlas along the way. But beyond the games themselves, Ubisoft’s arrival in Toronto marked a vote of confidence in the city that generated more momentum than even it could have imagined.

Backed by a $263 million investment from the Ontario government over 10 years, Ubisoft’s arrival amounted to more than job creation (though the studio set an ambitious target of creating 800 jobs); it planted a flag that signalled to the world that Toronto wasn’t just a player in the global tech economy, but an emerging heavyweight in digital entertainment.

Fifteen years later, the ripple effects of Ubisoft’s bold move are undeniable. The Toronto Region’s video game industry has exploded, now employing an estimated 7,000 people directly and supporting thousands more in adjacent industries like design, VFX, and software development. 

What does that look like on the ground? Today, Toronto is home to more than 300 game development studios, ranging from indie companies like DrinkBox Studios (creator of Guacamelee!) to major players like Rockstar Toronto (creator of the wildly popular Grand Theft Auto series and Red Dead Redemption), which operates out of Oakville, underscoring that talent and opportunities extend across the Greater Toronto Area.

“Toronto is incredibly supportive of game development, and we’re blown away by the up-and-coming talent in the region,” says Max Hoberman, CEO and founder of Certain Affinity. “It’s an exciting time for us as we make progress on an ambitious original game while continuing to co-develop some of the most exciting games in the industry.”

That enthusiasm isn’t just talk. Certain Affinity’s presence in Toronto is the kind of payoff Ubisoft’s early bet made possible. The Texas-based developer — best known for co-developing mega-franchises like Halo and Call of Duty — has steadily expanded its footprint in the region, viewing Toronto as a critical piece of its long-term strategy.

Think of it like a shopping mall: anchor tenants matter. Studios like Ubisoft, Rockstar Games, and Certain Affinity don’t just make hits—they create gravitational pull. Their presence helps hold the local ecosystem together, attracting new talent, supporting smaller studios, and validating the region as a place where major games and creative careers can be built.

“We’re thrilled to bring these games and new worlds to life,” Hoberman adds. “Our growing Toronto studio continues to be critical to our long-term strategic plans and success.”

And the momentum isn’t slowing. In 2024 alone, Canada’s video game industry contributed an estimated $5.5 billion to the national GDP, a figure Toronto helped drive through both scale and innovation. The city is now home to North America’s third-largest entertainment cluster, and its indie developers make up 55% of Canada’s gaming scene, shaping the character and dynamic of the industry from the ground up.

It’s no coincidence that some of the worlds biggest and most popular games are built in Toronto.

Since Ubisoft opened its Toronto studio in 2010, the city has steadily grown into one of the most compelling hubs for game development, not through spectacle, but by aligning with what studios actually need: deep technical talent, global perspective, and a production ecosystem built to scale.

Step into any local studio and you’ll see teams shaped by both code and narrative instinct. Teams are grounded in skill sets honed at institutions like Sheridan, George Brown, and the University of Toronto, where programs in animation, game design, and computer science consistently turn out industry-ready professionals.

That foundation is amplified by Toronto’s cultural makeup. With more than half of the residents born outside Canada, the region offers game developers a creative edge: access to a wide range of lived experiences and storytelling traditions. In an industry moving toward more authentic, inclusive narratives, that kind of diversity is essential.

“Toronto gives us the best of both worlds: the analytics talent we need to run a fund and one of the world’s deepest benches of creative indie developers to invest in. Ontario’s Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit also means we can invest in more teams,” said Damian Lee, CEO of Blue Ocean Games.

Under KRAFTON — the company behind global hits like PUBG: Battlegrounds — Blue Ocean Games recently announced that it would establish its North American headquarters in downtown Toronto. And Blue Ocean isn’t alone, there has been a 27% growth in Interactive Digital Media Companies in the Toronto Region since 2019.

Government support plays a crucial role. Ontario offers a range of incentives which provide substantial tax relief to companies that produce eligible digital products. Programs like the digital media tax credit make Ontario the leading province for digital media employment, outpacing other gaming hubs across the country.

Beyond the numbers, there’s a cultural shift happening too. Gaming is no longer viewed as just entertainment; it’s recognized as an art form, an economic engine, and a key piece of the city’s global identity. Major gaming conferences like the Canadian Gaming Summit have helped foster a dynamic, collaborative community that blurs the lines between indie and AAA.

Looking ahead, Toronto seems poised to cement its status as not just a hotspot, but a global capital of game development. The foundations laid by Ubisoft and other major players prove what smart investment, supportive policy, and creative energy can achieve when they come together.

In the world of gaming, it turns out Toronto isn’t just playing, it’s on the leaderboard.

Launched in 1993 by the Documentary Organization of Canada, then known as the Canadian Independent Film Caucus, Hot Docs has grown into a global stage for non-fiction filmmaking, honouring the storytellers who challenge, provoke, and reveal.

Storytelling has always been a way we pass on knowledge and values — a constant through shifting political and economic tides. And while fictional film and television dominate pop culture, documentaries offer something different: a mirror held up to the world, often overlooked, but impossible to ignore once seen.

Toronto as a Documentary Powerhouse

It’s no coincidence that Hot Docs has flourished in Toronto — a city whose cultural fabric is woven with stories from around the globe. Since its modest beginnings in 1993, the festival has grown into North America’s largest documentary showcase, drawing filmmakers, journalists, and industry professionals from every continent. At the heart of that growth lies Toronto’s status as a creative and logistical powerhouse, offering both the infrastructure and audience appetite to turn ambitious ideas into screen-ready realities.

“Toronto has become a world capital for cinema lovers, and feeding their appetite for 20 years has been great fun,” said Chris McDonald, former Executive Director of Hot Docs, to the Toronto Star for the festival’s growth on its 20^th anniversary in 2013.

McDonald’s assessment only gets truer every year as Toronto’s creative economy grows. The city’s technical and creative ecosystem makes it an ideal base for documentary production and exhibition. Beyond the iconic Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, Toronto is home to state-of-the-art post-production houses, creative studios, and financial programs designed to nurture both emerging and established talent. Organizations like Ontario Creates offer Canadian film funding grants and tax credits that make Toronto especially attractive to both Canadian and international filmmakers looking to maximize their budgets without compromising quality.

Alongside TIFF, Reel Asian, Inside Out, and other film festivals, Hot Docs helps anchor a local screen industry that contributed more than $3.2 billion to Toronto’s economy in 2022, according to the City of Toronto’s Economic Development and Culture Division.

And the impact stretches beyond the big screen. Each spring, the festival creates a ripple effect throughout the local economy, filling hotels, restaurants, and cafes with filmmakers, media representatives, and cinephiles. That temporary influx underscores the festival’s broader role as an economic driver for the city, turning Toronto into a stage not just for films, but for networking and creative entrepreneurship.

Economic Impact of Film Festivals in Toronto

In 2023, the festival drew over 220,000 attendees, including thousands of international visitors who booked hotels, dined in local restaurants, and explored Toronto’s neighbourhoods between screenings.

What sets Hot Docs apart is its dual identity as both a public festival and an industry incubator. The Hot Docs Forum, for example, is a two-day international co-financing market that has helped secure more than $100 million in production funds for participating projects since its launch. For emerging filmmakers, this can mean the difference between a good idea and a greenlit film.

The festival also hosts Hot Docs Deal Maker and Distribution Rendezvous, matchmaking programs that facilitate one-on-one meetings between creators and decision-makers from major broadcasters and streamers. In 2023 alone, these sessions drew representatives from CBC, BBC, PBS, ARTE, and Netflix, helping turn local pitches into international productions.

These business-to-business events generate real revenue and create long-term opportunities, from co-productions to licensing deals. For Toronto, that means new jobs, more projects staying local, and a stronger foothold in the global documentary supply chain.

Cultural Impact

If Toronto is one of the most diverse cities in the world, then Hot Docs is its screen-sized mirror. Each year, the festival curates a lineup that reflects the complexity of global experience, bringing voices from every continent into conversation under one cultural roof.

Among the standout selections in last year’s festival was 7 Beats per Minute, directed by Yuqi Kang, which offers an intimate portrait of Chinese freediver Jessea Lu as she confronts personal and physical challenges in her quest for excellence. Another notable film, Seguridad by Tamara Segura, provides a poignant exploration of familial bonds and personal history, tracing the director’s journey from Cuba to Canada. The festival’s range was as expansive as its reach, with over 200 films from 72 countries, many presented by the filmmakers themselves in post-screening Q&As.

One of Hot Docs’ most lauded selections in recent years was The Guardian of Memory (2019), a haunting look at the Mexican border crisis through the eyes of a human rights lawyer defending asylum seekers. The film not only won the festival’s Best International Feature award but also sparked panel discussions on refugee policy co-hosted by Canadian NGOs — turning a screening into a civic conversation.

This internationalism amplifies Toronto’s unique voice; the city’s motto being “diversity, our strength.”

The Persister program ensures Canadian and female-identifying filmmakers share the spotlight, while community screenings and free events at local libraries extend the reach of global stories to neighbourhood audiences.

Additionally, Hot Docs 2025 marks the debut of Hot Docs’ newly reimagined Made In program — and it’s taking a bold step. Instead of spotlighting a single country, as in past iterations, the 2025 edition is titled Made In Exile, focusing on stories by and about people who have been forcibly displaced. From Afghanistan to Sudan to Ukraine, the program brings together films that explore what it means to create, survive, and stay connected to one’s identity while living far from home. It’s a timely shift that reflects both global upheaval and the power of storytelling across borders.

Conclusion

As Hot Docs continues to grow in global stature, it also deepens its roots in Toronto’s cultural and economic fabric. The festival not only draws world-class talent and international attention, but also reflects the city’s identity: dynamic, diverse, and driven by stories that matter. In celebrating voices from around the world — and amplifying its own — Toronto reinforces its place as a cultural capital where ideas, industries, and communities converge.

This week, Blue Ocean Games officially launched with a $30 million USD venture fund to back the next generation of indie game developers, operating from its new home base in Toronto. Backed by South Korea’s KRAFTON, Inc., the company behind global hits like PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, this investment is not just a win for game creators but a major vote of confidence in Toronto’s tech ecosystem, even as geopolitical headwinds grow stronger.

Founded by Damian Lee, former Head of Investments at KRAFTON, Blue Ocean Games aims to fund 100 indie developers over the next three years. Following the first three years, Blue Ocean Games has plans to launch a second, larger fund with a dedicated regional allocation.

Its unique investment model supports developers at the concept stage, before they have even built a demo, with funding, mentorship, and full IP ownership. The mission is to empower underrepresented creators and spark innovation that traditional investment channels might otherwise overlook.

“Toronto gives us the best of both worlds: the analytics talent we need to run a fund and one of the world’s deepest benches of creative indie developers to invest in. Ontario’s Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit also means we can invest in more teams,” said Damian Lee, CEO of Blue Ocean Games.

Connected through the Canadian Embassy in the Republic of Korea, our team worked closely with KRAFTON and Blue Ocean Games to help them navigate this move. “Toronto Global has been exceptionally proactive, quickly connecting us with key public‑sector bodies, leading educational institutions, and influential industry groups—support that’s been invaluable as we work to build a robust ecosystem around Blue Ocean Games,” said Lee.

The timing of this announcement is especially significant. In a climate where global expansion is becoming increasingly complex and many companies are hesitant to move across borders, Blue Ocean Games is taking a confident step forward. Rather than retreating in the face of economic uncertainty, it is embracing international collaboration and investing in long-term potential.

And that potential is substantial. Toronto has emerged as one of North America’s fastest-growing tech hubs, with over 400,000 tech workers in the region and more tech job growth than the San Francisco Bay Area between 2017 and 2022. It ranks among the top 10 global cities for video game development and is home to over 200 game studios including Ubisoft Toronto, Behaviour Interactive, and Digital Extremes. The city’s diverse talent pool, high-quality education system, and relative affordability make it a magnet for startups and global players alike. Toronto’s developers are world-class, and the ecosystem here is built to nurture long-term creativity.

Blue Ocean’s first initiative, Rising Tide, launches May 1 in partnership with Global Game Jam, offering developers worldwide a chance to validate ideas and access funding. In addition to capital, Blue Ocean is offering developers back-office support, legal help, and cohort-based mentorship, all designed to make game creation more accessible and sustainable.

The takeaway? While new trade policies may be reshaping the global economy, Toronto’s foundation as a center for tech innovation is stronger than ever. Companies like Blue Ocean Games are not just adapting; they are leaning into the regional strengths that are built to last.

As Canada’s largest technology hub, Toronto offers access to top-tier talent, a thriving innovation ecosystem, and proximity to both new and long-standing clients. DXC has operated in Canada for over 20 years, with teams across all 10 provinces supporting more than 350 customers, such as CIBC, Aviva, TD, Manulife, Ivari, Federal Government, Ontario Pension Board, Elections Ontario, Mount Sinai Hospital, and Hitachi Construction Truck. Today, with more than 1,800 employees in Canada, DXC serves as a trusted operating partner and advisor for some of the most significant brands across financial services, healthcare, automotive, public sector and more, to help them thrive in the era of AI by modernizing operations and delivering cutting edge, transformative solutions.

“We’re thrilled to launch our first office in Toronto, the center of Canada’s business and tech community,” said Cameron Art, DXC President of the Americas and UKI. “This office is a clear signal of our long-term ambitions in the region, our commitment to collaborative innovation, and our focus on strengthening relationships with clients in this critical market.”

The Toronto office joins DXC’s global network of collaboration spaces in major business districts around the world, designed to bring teams together and accelerate innovation. It also reflects DXC’s focus on solving digital transformation challenges — including AI, cybersecurity, and cloud.

“With a world-class workforce and strong innovation ecosystem, Ontario continues to attract leading global companies, reinforcing our province’s position as a top destination for tech investment,” said The Honourable Victor Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “We are pleased to welcome DXC Technology to Toronto and wish them continued success as they undertake this significant milestone in their operations.”

This is one of several strategic initiatives DXC is making across the Americas and UKI. The company is also expanding offices in New York City, Miami, and London, further enhancing its ability to serve clients and foster collaboration and co-creation.

DXC is a trusted operating partner to many of the world’s most innovative organizations, delivering services and solutions that drive industries and businesses forward. Our technology, engineering, and consulting experts help clients modernize systems, optimize processes, manage critical workloads, integrate AI-powered intelligence, and put security at the forefront.

For more information, visit www.dxc.com.

About DXC Technology

DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC) helps global companies run their mission-critical systems and operations while modernizing IT, optimizing data architectures, and ensuring security and scalability across public, private and hybrid clouds. The world’s largest companies and public sector organizations trust DXC to deploy services to drive new levels of performance, competitiveness, and customer experience across their IT estates. Learn more about how we deliver excellence for our customers and colleagues at DXC.com.

Angelena Abate
Media Relations
+1-646-234-8060
angelena.abate@dxc.com

Roger Sachs
Investor Relations
+1-201-259-0801
roger.sachs@dxc.com