“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

Dining Brands Group’s impressive business model has garnered substantial interest and investment, including a remarkable $275 million (USD) investment from the Ontario Teacher’s Pension Plan in December 2020. This partnership underscores the company’s strong market potential and innovative approach within the food and beverage sector. Following the investment announcement, Toronto Global proactively reached out to the company’s headquarters in Seoul to facilitate the Canadian project.

“We are extremely proud and excited to welcome BHC to Toronto,” said the CEO of Toronto Global, Stephen Lund. “This flagship store not only enhances our diverse food scene but also allows us to offer Canadian customers a taste of BHC’s exceptional food selection, renowned for its quality and flavour. With Toronto’s multicultural environment, we anticipate that BHC will thrive and expand even further from this strategic base.”

Toronto, recognized as one of the most multicultural cities in the world, has become a hub and strategic location for international brands like BHC to invest and expand their reach globally. The city’s vibrant cultural mosaic provides the perfect backdrop for BHC to introduce its beloved fried chicken, appealing to diverse tastes and preferences.

“We are very pleased to introduce the taste and culture of Korea to Canadian customers through the opening of this BHC North American flagship store in Toronto,” stated Senior Executive Director Nam Hwa Yeon, in charge of the group’s Global Business Division. “In the future, we aim to enhance brand awareness and expand customer touchpoints by developing menus that cater to local consumer preferences and strategically selecting store locations, such as The Well in Toronto.”

Dining Brands Group collaborated closely with Toronto Global, the region’s economic development agency, to establish connections and navigate the process of this significant expansion.

“Since December 2020, we’ve worked closely with Toronto Global. Catherine liaised with the team in Korea day and night, serving as a single point of contact for the site selection process and providing market information and local connections for this successful expansion. We sincerely appreciate Toronto Global’s support on our North American flagship store in Toronto.”

The flagship store at The Well is set to be a vibrant destination for food lovers and is expected to attract both local residents and visitors eager to experience BHC’s signature dishes.

As BHC prepares for its grand opening on October 17^th 2024, the company looks forward to becoming a cherished part of Toronto’s dynamic food culture, bringing the beloved flavours of Korea to the forefront of the Canadian dining experience.

ABOUT DINING BRANDS GROUP

Dining Brands Group Co., Ltd. is the new name for BHC Co., Ltd. It is a global comprehensive dining company that operates brands such as the casual dining restaurant Outback Steakhouse, the premium Korean beef specialty store Changgo 43, the leading Korean chicken brand BHC Chicken, and other brands such as Keunmam Halmae Korean Restaurant, and Super Duper.

MEDIA CONTACT
BHC Global: global@bhc.co.kr

Invest Brampton

Brampton’s 2023 Economic Development report highlights record growth, with $2.3 billion in construction and 5.36 million square feet of approved development. With thriving areas like the Brampton Innovation District and the BHive incubator, Brampton is also advancing medical innovation through its MedTech Task Force and the upcoming Toronto Metropolitan University medical school. 

Invest Durham

Durham Region saw remarkable growth in 2023, attracting $250 million in investment and creating 3,000 jobs in Oshawa alone. Industrial permits set a record at $128 million, while construction permits across the region reached $639 million. Durham Region’s population grew by 9.3% over five years and is projected to reach 1.3 million by 2051. Notable projects include the all-Canadian electric vehicle Project Arrow and Durham College’s new EV training centre. 

Invest Halton

Halton Region’s 2023 economic review showcases $2.8 billion in construction permits, 3,300 new jobs, and 2.4 million square feet of industrial development. Oakville and Burlington led the charge, with Oakville seeing record industrial growth of over 2 million sq. ft. and $175 million in construction, alongside a booming film and TV production sector. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently visited Halton Region to promote housing development on public lands to support this fast-growing area. 

Invest Mississauga

Mississauga, a key economic hub for Ontario and Canada, welcomed 1,770 new jobs in 2023. The city launched SpinUp, its first venture incubator and wet lab for early-stage life sciences companies, alongside the existing IDEA Mississauga & IDEA Square One entrepreneurship hub. Recently named the top Canadian city for tech talent, Mississauga saw the largest influx of tech workers in Canada, with 1,900 new hires. The City’s Community Improvement Plan is transforming a former industrial area into a 20-acre innovation campus expected to generate 9,000 jobs in cleantech, life sciences, and tech. Mississauga also participated in international investment missions and hosted 12 EU consuls general. 

York Region Economic Strategy/York Link

York Region, home to over 1.2 million residents across nine cities and towns, is Ontario’s third-largest municipality and business hub. With a prime GTA location, major transit investments, ready employment sites, and competitive tax rates, York is a prime destination for business and innovation. It boasts Ontario’s third-largest manufacturing sector and key industry clusters in automotive, technology, agri-food, warehousing, and life sciences. 

Learn more about the Toronto Region’s advantage here.

The announcement was made at this year’s Collision Conference.

We sat down with Phonexa CEO, Lilit Davtyan to learn more about why the U.S. and U.K.-based company chose Canada to open its third office as it continues to expand its global footprint.

Before we discuss why Phonexa is expanding into Canada, please tell us about the company’s origins and who the software is built for?

Phonexa was created by performance marketers for performance marketers. It was originally a proprietary tool and solution for one of the largest affiliate networks in the financial services industry, and it has exponentially grown since its inception in 2016. The company’s roots are humble. Founder and President David Gasparyan is a military veteran and immigrant who once had a hundred dollars left in his name.

Now, Phonexa has evolved into a global company and an enterprise-grade tracking software for performance, affiliate, and partner marketing. We power direct advertisers, networks, and performance marketers by optimizing inbound web and call campaigns and outbound call, email, and SMS campaigns – all while having the ability to enhance the consumer journey every step of the way. With a suite of turnkey marketing products and solutions, Phonexa’s customizable tools are uniquely designed to maximize performance for high-volume direct-to-consumer companies. Some examples of those industries include home services, insurance, legal, lending, and financial services, among others.

The Phonexa Suite consists of 8 core products. It unifies various marketing activities in a single integrated platform. By bringing these business functions together, Phonexa connects technology, and typically disconnected subscriptions, under an all-in-one suite.

What prompted the decision for Phonexa to expand into Canada?

Phonexa’s new office in Toronto marks yet another significant milestone for our company as we continue to experience rapid growth powered by our outstanding team and customer-centric innovations. Toronto is a central hub for Canada’s business, tech, and financial sectors, and this strategic expansion highlights Phonexa’s dedication to innovation and growth in a city celebrated for its dynamic ecosystem. The region’s vibrant business landscape and top-tier infrastructure will enable Phonexa to enhance collaboration and advance our affiliate and performance marketing products and solutions to better serve our global clientele. We’re excited to expand Phonexa with the diverse tech talent found in Toronto.

Phonexa’s global headquarters have been in Los Angeles since the company was founded in 2016. We opened our second headquarters in the United Kingdom in 2017. Phonexa celebrated the expansion of its existing Los Angeles headquarters last year by crowning the 16-story building with a sign and taking over the top three floors. Establishing a footprint in Canada was the next great step in our company’s journey. We’ve been incredibly pleased by the support received across government levels, including Mayor Olivia Chow, her staff, and the entire Toronto Global team.

How will the expansion into Canada benefit Phonexa?

The expansion will enable Phonexa to tap into new markets and build stronger relationships with Canadian clients across performance, affiliate, and partner marketing. Additionally, having a presence in Canada will allow us to better serve our North American clients by providing localized support and services. Our move into Canada represents a significant milestone in our growth journey. It underscores our dedication to innovation, our ambition to serve new markets, and our commitment to delivering exceptional value to our clients, employees, and partners. We look forward to the opportunities this expansion will bring and are confident it will drive significant growth and success for our company.

How will the new offices impact Phonexa’s existing workforce?

The new offices will complement our existing operations and provide growth opportunities for our current employees. We plan to facilitate knowledge transfer and collaboration between teams across regions, fostering a culture of innovation and shared expertise. Additionally, we expect to create numerous job opportunities locally, contributing to the growth of the Canadian tech workforce.

Phonexa’s Toronto office will serve as a second home to the company’s technology and marketing teams. Phonexa employs 200 people worldwide, including a significant staff in Ukraine. From Phonexa’s 14-person global C-level, 12 of its executives are women or from ethnic minorities, and we’re looking forward to growing on those figures.

Through Phonexa Cares, the company’s community outreach initiative program, we plan to work closely with the Canadian government to arrange relocation for any of Phonexa’s global team members looking to move to Canada. This has already happened for some of Phonexa’s staff, including CTO Alexey Sidora, who recently relocated his family from Ukraine to Toronto amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine.

What investment is Phonexa making in the new Toronto offices?

We aim to create an inspiring and productive work environment that attracts top talent and supports our teams in delivering exceptional results across the performance, affiliate, and partner marketing space. We are also committed to investing in community initiatives and partnerships that drive technological advancement in the region for performance marketers.

What impact does this expansion have on Phonexa’s clients and partners?

For our clients and partners, this expansion means enhanced service delivery and greater accessibility to our solutions and expertise. The presence in Canada will allow for more personalized interactions and faster response times. Additionally, our increased capabilities and resources will lead to more innovative and effective solutions, driving success for our clients and partners.

How does the move into Canada align with Phonexa’s long-term vision and goals?

Expanding into Canada is a strategic step toward achieving Phonexa’s long-term vision of becoming a global leader in software solutions for performance marketers. It aligns with our goals of fostering innovation, expanding our market reach, and enhancing our service offerings. By establishing a strong presence in Canada, we are positioning Phonexa to better compete in the global market and drive sustainable growth for the company.

What challenges do you anticipate in this expansion, and how do you plan to address them?

While we anticipate some challenges integrating into a new market, we are confident in our ability to address them. We have a dedicated leadership team for market entry strategies. Additionally, we plan to leverage local expertise and build strong relationships with Canadian businesses and tech communities to ensure a smooth and successful expansion.

What is the one thing Phonexa is excited about for the second half of this year?

Phonexa also owns and operates MailCon, the largest in-person gathering and conference for email marketers. We’re excited to share that Phonexa will be heading to the Big Apple in a big way when MailCon returns for a one-day conference at Convene in Times Square, New York, on Sunday, July 28, one day before Affiliate Summit East.

MailCon arrives during a pivotal period due to the deliverability issues plaguing mailers, performance marketers, affiliate marketers, and lead generators. Businesses have found it challenging to adapt to technological and automation advances and stay ahead of the curve, especially due to Gmail and Yahoo’s new bulk email sender requirements. All of that will be strategically discussed, as the event features an all-star lineup of speakers, panel discussions, networking opportunities, Phonexa product announcements, and much more. MailCon assembles a diverse group of email marketing influencers. Nearly 6,000 mailers, affiliates, advertisers, and networks have attended MailCon since its inception, and 70% of event attendees are directors and C-level marketing decision-makers.

To learn more about Phonexa’s all-in-one marketing automation solution, schedule a consultation, email info@phonexa.com, call (818) 800-0000, or click here for a self-guided interactive tour.

Phonexa offers the following solutions in its suite of performance marketing products:

• LMS Sync (lead tracking and distribution)
• Call Logic (call tracking and distribution)
• E-Delivery (email and SMS marketing)
• Cloud PBX (cloud phone system)
• Lynx (click tracking)
• Opt-Intel (suppression list management)
• HitMetrix (user behavior recording and analytics)
• Books360 (automated accounting)

TORONTO – June 19, 2024 – Hireguide, a rapidly growing Silicon Valley HR-Tech company focused on improving a billion annual interviews, chose Toronto for its latest expansion.

Hireguide has already started building its Toronto team to support Canadian companies with navigating complex hiring processes. Hireguide has scaled from one to ten Toronto team members in the last 18 months. The company plans to double its presence in Toronto over the next three years.

Hireguide chose Toronto to access the abundance of skilled talent and prolific Canadian client base. Toronto is home to more than half of all Fortune 500 Companies as well as innovative scale-ups. The diversity of the region’s economy and talent base makes the Toronto Region the ideal location for a people-focused company like Hireguide to expand its services.

Time-zone alignment with the U.S. was another factor in Hireguide’s expansion decision, allowing the company to continue seamlessly serving its U.S. customers from Toronto.

Hireguide is a B Corp Company, a certification designated to for-profit corporations with a high social impact. Hireguide is making clearer and fairer interviews accessible to everyone, offering smaller companies the opportunity to apply to use Hireguide’s expert services for free.

Inclusive hiring is at the forefront of Hireguide’s values, making Toronto the perfect environment to make an impact. The Toronto Region has a skilled and educated workforce, with 67 per cent of the regional population having achieved a post-secondary degree – higher than any U.S. metro area.

The talent pool in the region is also among the most diverse in North America. Over half of the Toronto Region’s population is foreign-born, however, a startling lack of foreign-born workers are employed in their chosen profession. Skills-based, structured interviews offer fairer access to economic activity.   

“The best companies know that you can’t just spot excellent talent, you need an excellent process to reveal it. We’re using AI and hiring science to do just that,” said Scott Parish, CEO and Founder of Hireguide.

Toronto Global, the Toronto Region’s investment attraction agency, was instrumental throughout Hireguide’s expansion journey, assisting every step of the way to ensure a smooth transition.

“Toronto Global has made doing business in Toronto so easy. They supported everything from setting up bank accounts, establishing a Canadian subsidiary, moving an Engineering leader from Ukraine, and introducing us to customers. It was a complete solution,” said Parish.

“Hireguide operating in Toronto will have a tremendous social and economic impact. Clearing up interview and hiring barriers in the region will allow for faster job growth, ultimately benefiting employers and workers alike. We are thrilled to have worked with an organization with such an imperative mission and look forward to seeing its continued growth in our region,” said Stephen Lund, CEO of Toronto Global.

“Congratulations to the HireGuide team on their expansion in Toronto. Our City is home to one of the most highly skilled and diverse workforces in the world. I am excited to see how Hireguide helps more workers find work and more employers find talent in our city and beyond,” said Oliva Chow, Mayor of Toronto.

Hireguide is a new company, but its impact is spreading. The HR-Tech company has helped over 5,000 Recruiters and Hiring Managers in global companies like Bell, Enbridge, Nike, and more.

Find hundreds of free interview guides, cheat sheets and training at hireguide.com. Book a demo to see the future of interviewing today.

About Hireguide

Great hires start with great interviews – they are the gateway to opportunity at work but resume based interviews are too slow, biased, and poorly predictive of performance.  Hireguide is an end-to-end interview management system that helps companies make hiring decisions faster, fairer and twice as predictive of performance.  Uniting AI and hiring science makes it easy to adopt best practices at every step.  Hiring has always been a journey, finally it’s a smooth one. 

Media Contacts

Hireguide:

Scott Parish

CEO & Founder
+1 415 818 2201
scott@hireguide.com

Toronto Global:

Julia Sakas

Director of Marketing and Communications

+1 647 926 3524

jsakas@torontoglobal.ca

Toronto, Canada – June 17, 2024 – Ayudante, a distinguished leader in digital marketing and a Google 360 Sales Partner in Japan, is extending its reach to Toronto, Canada, to offer its unparalleled services to customers across North America.

Ayudante is dedicated to empowering businesses with innovative digital marketing and analytics strategies that yield data-driven and impactful insights. Leveraging expertise in creating solid data foundations and actionable strategies that drive results, Ayudante has established itself as a trusted partner for businesses seeking to thrive in the digital landscape.

Ayudante’s expansion to Toronto represents a significant milestone in its mission to deliver excellence in digital analytics services on a global scale. By setting up its operations in Toronto, one of the world’s most dynamic and fastest-growing cities, Ayudante aims to cater to the evolving needs of North American businesses, providing them with the strategic guidance and innovative solutions needed to succeed in today’s competitive market.

Ayudante chose Toronto for its first international office due to the ease of doing business across North America and the region’s diverse economic landscape. Ayudante worked closely with Toronto Global – an investment attraction agency in the Toronto Region – throughout its expansion, leveraging Toronto Global’s guidance in incorporating and making connections in Toronto.

Ayudante offers comprehensive digital marketing and analytics consulting services designed to elevate customer’s digital presence and drive measurable growth for businesses. Digital consulting services include search engine optimization (SEO), online advertising, Google Analytics, Google Marketing Platform, and Google Cloud Platform.

“We are excited to embark on this new chapter of our journey and look forward to forging lasting partnerships with businesses in Toronto and beyond. Our team of seasoned professionals is ready to collaborate with Canadian businesses to unlock the full potential of your digital marketing efforts and achieve your business objectives.” – Naohiro Yamaura, COO, Ayudante

“We are thrilled to see the increasing activities from Japan to Canada from different sectors. The fact that Ayudante chose Toronto as their North American hub tells us our diverse and growing ecosystem is the best choice for international companies.” – Stephen Lund, CEO, Toronto Global

“On behalf of the Government of Ontario, we welcome Ayudante to our province’s thriving tech and innovation ecosystem. With over 420,000 world-class tech workers and 72,000 STEM graduates per year, Ayudante will benefit from our talented workforce located in of the largest tech clusters in North America. We look forward to being part of your growth – and thank you for choosing Ontario.” – Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

Ayudante is committed to delivering the same level of excellence and innovation that Ayudante Japan is known for – March Networks, Living in Ottawa, Softbank, Uniqlo, Subaru, Fujifilm, Sony Music are just a few of their many notable customers.

Ayudante Canada

333 Bay Street, West Tower, 14F

Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2R2

Ayudanteinc.com

Jose Uzcategui: jose@ayudante.ca

Jasper Poon: jasper@ayudante.ca

Thinc’s team were honoured to be hosted at the Residence of the British Consul General in Toronto, Fouzia Younis MBE, on Wednesday, May 22^nd, where they welcomed a range of guests from the Toronto trade and business communities for the official launch of Thinc’s Canadian office – the company’s first outside of the UK.

Thinc brings more than 30 years of experience in the UK supporting businesses on their growth journeys, with deep expertise in business technologies allied to a trusted, collaborative ethos.

Managing Director and Co-owner Dominic Ball spoke of his delight at joining Toronto’s business community, and shared Thinc’s ambition to amplify the potential of the region’s SMEs.

In his speech, Ball explained why Toronto was first choice for the company’s expansion. He reflected on the importance of SMEs to the economic success of Canada and the UK, and the spirit of innovation and enterprise shared by Toronto and Manchester, where Thinc was formed and is headquartered.

He also revealed Thinc’s commitment to be an active participant in Toronto’s economy and community, having established a legal entity for the business in the region. As the team expands, Thinc intends to tap into the region’s thriving talent pool.

“We’re passionate about technology. But we’re more passionate about its impact. Across our offices we have three decades of experience working with leading business technologies, cloud hosting, cyber security and managed IT services. But for Thinc, it’s always been about people. Connection, collaboration and long-lasting relationships are the keys to a successful partnership,” said Ball.

“When we were planning for expansion, we were looking for a market that offered opportunity but also where our principles would resonate. The Toronto region’s reputation for technology, innovation and enterprising spirit is, of course, recognized the world over. As somebody from Manchester, UK, it’s hard to overstate how exciting that is.”

Guest speakers on the night were Stephen Lund, CEO of the international business development partner Toronto Global, and David Rumer, Area Vice President, Canadian Partners and Strategic Alliances for Sage, the leader in accounting, financial, HR and payroll technology for small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Toronto Global and Sage have provided instrumental support to Thinc in planning and executing its launch in Toronto. Thinc has also been indebted to the support it has received as a member of the British Canadian Chamber of Trade and Commerce.

Thinc’s Toronto office is located at MaRS Waterfront, one of Toronto’s most innovative tech hubs and home to a host of start-ups and innovators. To learn more, visit the Thinc Toronto Office webpage.

How Toronto SMEs can tap into Thinc’s expertise.

As SMEs grow, they can often find that their business and accounting systems no longer meet their needs. Thinc is here to help them find scalable solutions that unlock the potential of their people.

With its office open in Toronto, the Thinc team is ready to speak to people from local SMEs about their ambitions and how they can be realized with technology. Representatives have been attending a range of technology and vertical-focused events in Toronto and will continue to do so over the course of the year.

Experts from Thinc are available for comment, editorial and interview opportunities. Please contact Thinc for any inquiries or visit its website to learn more.

About Thinc 

Thinc is headquartered in Manchester, England – the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, the world’s first stored-program computer, and Alan Turing’s studies into artificial intelligence. For the past three decades, Thinc has been empowering UK-based and multinational SMEs to grow, whether that’s moving on from older ERP solutions or scaling up for international expansion.  

Thinc helps ambitious SMEs scale up to reach their full potential. With headquarters in the UK, and offices in Canada, Thinc provides the cutting-edge finance software, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, managed IT support, cyber security solutions, and cloud management to unlock business’ full potential.  

Thinc is an official Sage Intacct partner, with a range of Sage certifications across its team. Sage has awarded Thinc its highest award for Service Excellence.   

Resources 

Images and logos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GG-H-4gQ–QJuhJk-awOKrPU01bL8uBy?usp=sharing

Case study: Cydar Medical. With Sage Intacct, Cydar Medical has streamlined its financial processes and powered its international expansion utilising Sage Intacct. https://www.wearethinc.com/case-studies/cydar-medical/  

Thinc Media enquiries 

Neil Condron, Head of Content, Thinc

+44 333 554 6895

neil.condron@wearethinc.com

Julia Sakas, Director, Marketing & Communications, Toronto Global 
+1 647 926 3524 
jsakas@torontoglobal.ca  

Contact Thinc 

Thinc
Nucleus at MaRS
Waterfront Innovation Centre
Suite 200
Box 87 – 155 Queens Quay East
Toronto, Ontario
M5A 0W4
info@wearethinc.com 
www.wearethinc.ca 
Tel: +1 647 3671159

In recent years, government organizations have invested over $80-billion in transit capital projects to enhance public transportation infrastructure, alleviate congestion and foster sustainable urban mobility.

The backbone of Toronto’s transportation system is its public transit network, operated by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). The TTC boasts an extensive network of buses, streetcars, and subways, connecting various neighbourhoods and suburbs within the Toronto Region. In fact, The TTC was awarded the 2017 American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) award for Transit System of the Year, signifying Toronto’s public transit as a role model for other major cities around the globe.

However, as the regional population expands – growing by over 350,000 people between 2016 and 2021 – the demand for reliable and accessible transit has intensified. In response to these challenges, the government has rolled out several initiatives to improve public transportation in Toronto. One notable endeavour is the ongoing expansion of the city’s subway system.

The Ontario Line

The Ontario Line heralds a transformative era for Toronto’s transit system. With its strategic alignment, the line promises faster and more reliable service to reduce travel times and congestion across the city.

Adding a whopping 15 new stations to the city from Exhibition Place to the Ontario Science Centre, the Ontario Line is poised to stimulate economic growth, job creation, and improve access to essential services. In essence, it represents a pivotal step towards a more accessible, connected, and prosperous Toronto.

Buses and Sustainability

Furthermore, Toronto has prioritized the enhancement of bus services to address the needs of commuters in areas not served by rail transit and promote environmentally sustainable transportation. The city recently hired 160 new staff to maintain service on TTC buses and combat lower ridership since the pandemic. “People would come back if the service is better and if they feel safer. That’s why the 160 staff got hired,” said Mayor Olivia Chow to the Globe and Mail.

Operating the largest fleet of electric buses in North America, the Toronto Transit Commission is leading the way to sustainability with a target to achieve a 100% zero-emission fleet by 2027. 

Similarly, investments in pedestrian infrastructure, including sidewalk improvements and pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, aim to encourage walking as a viable mode of urban transportation. One example is the Queensway Complete Street project – expected to start construction in 2027 – which plans to widen sidewalks, implement improved bus stop waiting areas and add protected bicycle lanes on both sides of the street between Mimico Creek and the Humber River.

Not to mention Toronto’s PATH network, which connects 30 kilometres of indoor walkways along restaurants, shops and attractions, allowing for a pedestrian-friendly option during the colder months.

GO Transit

Through Metrolinx, the government has prioritized the enhancement of regional transit networks like GO Transit, which serves as a vital link connecting Toronto with surrounding regions. GO Transit plays a crucial role in alleviating congestion on highways and providing commuters with convenient and reliable options for travelling to and from the city. Recent initiatives, such as the GO Expansion program, aim to increase service frequency, extend rail corridors, and introduce electrified trains, all geared towards offering faster and more efficient service for passengers.

Investments in the improvement of GO Transit’s bus network further enhance connectivity between urban centers and suburban communities, ensuring that commuters have accessible and flexible transit options contributing to the region’s economic growth and job creation. Through these efforts, GO Transit continues to evolve as an integral component of the Toronto Region’s broader transportation ecosystem.

Introducing a High-Frequency Rail

High-Frequency Rail (HFR) in Canada holds immense promise for revolutionizing the Toronto Region’s transportation landscape. This proposed 1,000-kilometre project will connect Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Montréal, Trois-Rivières and Québec City. HFR’s connectivity with existing transit networks, including the TTC and GO Transit, would enhance intermodal travel options. Additionally, HFR’s potential to alleviate congestion on highways and reduce greenhouse gas emissions aligns with Toronto’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

The economic benefits stemming from enhanced mobility and increased tourism opportunities underscore HFR’s potential as a catalyst for regional development and prosperity. Overall, the implementation of High-Frequency Rail in Canada promises to usher in a long overdue modernization of accessible transportation and environmental sustainability for residents, businesses and visitors alike.

What’s next for Toronto’s Transportation?

While these efforts represent significant strides toward a more efficient and sustainable transportation system, challenges remain. Funding constraints, logistical hurdles and recovering from reduced ridership due to COVID-19 are among the factors that influence the pace and scope of transit projects.

Looking ahead, the City of Toronto and Province of Ontario must continue to prioritize investment in public transportation infrastructure while embracing the innovation and technological advancements of the modern age. Collaborative partnerships between government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and community organizations will be essential in driving forward the agenda of sustainable urban mobility.

In conclusion, transportation in Toronto is undergoing an era of transformation, fueled by ambitious initiatives and a commitment to meeting the evolving needs of a growing city. Through strategic investments, forward-thinking city planning, and community engagement, Toronto can strengthen its position as a global leader in economic development through improved transportation. As workers and visitors navigate the streets of the economic capital of Canada, a future of a more accessible, efficient, and sustainable transit system is underway.

Qaiser Habib currently serves as the Head of Canada Engineering at Snowflake. Habib is a veteran engineering leader and a well-recognized expert in the Canadian market, currently focused on building and leading the Canadian engineering presence for Snowflake. Habib is a champion for community engagement and is committed to cultivating the leaders of tomorrow through university relations and hands-on mentorship.

Shannon Katschilo currently serves as the Country Manager of Canada at Snowflake. Katschilo brings over 15 years of client connection-building and employee stewardship to her role, scaling Snowflake’s presence in the market and taking a data-first approach to improving experiences at all levels of operation. Katschilo is passionate about female mentorship and sponsorship and prioritizes bringing an equitable lens to data-driven decisions by creating opportunities for women and underrepresented groups to take on leadership positions within the field.

SK: Can you give us the backstory on your career and how you landed at Snowflake?

When I made the decision to join Snowflake in 2022, I saw an opportunity to bring my 15 years of client connection-building experience and employee stewardship to a leadership role and be at the forefront of the rapidly evolving data and AI landscape.

I’m laser-focused on expanding the company’s customer base and partnering with Canada’s most iconic brands to strengthen their data foundations to accelerate AI adoption. Since landing in Canada, Snowflake’s achieved significant revenue growth, making Snowflake Canada one of the fastest-growing markets globally for the company.

Throughout my career, I’ve always been committed to knowledge-sharing in the industry by devising and chairing meetings, hosting client events, and regularly presenting at conferences and webinars. I’m also passionate about female mentorship and sponsorship and prioritize bringing an equitable lens to data-driven decisions by creating opportunities for women and underrepresented groups to take on leadership positions within the field.

QH: What has the engineering team been up to since you opened the Toronto office in 2022?

Since first opening our Canadian headquarters in 2022, making Toronto home to one of Snowflake’s five global Engineering Hubs, we’ve grown our headcount and footprint significantly. To support our strategic growth in the Canadian market, we’re on track to double our engineering team in 2024 and we opened a newly expanded headquarters in April 2024, which is more than double the size of our original office space and reflects the evolving needs of our team. 

Snowflake Canada’s Toronto Engineering Hub is powering ground-breaking innovations including the Snowflake Native App Framework and the transformation of how customers globally are building applications. This technology eliminates the need for organizations to move or copy their data during application development, which increases security and helps maintain governance controls.

We’ve seen incredible momentum around Snowflake Native Apps, which we are proud to announce is generally available on AWS and Azure. More than 90 Snowflake Native Apps (as of January 2024) are currently available in Snowflake Marketplace, which opens up opportunities for businesses to create entirely new revenue streams.

SK: What Canadian relationships or partnerships have been instrumental to Snowflake’s growth?

There are a myriad of factors and partnerships that have come together to promote Snowflake’s success and growth in the Canadian market. 

Internally, hiring the right talent and fostering a strong culture has been paramount. It’s imperative to hire from diverse backgrounds and expertise to have people who think differently and can identify problems to create solutions that train AI with an inclusive and broader lens. I also prioritize recognition and spotlighting talent within the workplace to boost visibility and retention.

Externally, building strong relationships with our customers and practicing a customer-first approach has been instrumental. I’ve dedicated my efforts to expanding the company’s customer base and collaborating with some of Canada’s most renowned brands to fortify their data infrastructure and facilitate AI adoption.

Additionally, our strategic partnerships with established industry cloud providers like AWS, Microsoft, and Google have played a crucial role in our growth trajectory. These key relationships continue to fuel our innovation and drive our success in the Canadian tech landscape, with the Snowflake platform being multi-cloud and cross-cloud across all three.

QH: Toronto continues to be one of the world’s top tech talent hubs. Tell us about your hiring efforts and what you look for when selecting a candidate. 

At Snowflake, our hiring efforts are focused on attracting top-tier candidates who align with our values and our dynamic team culture. We prioritize diversity, experience, empathy, and a genuine commitment to serving our customers and collaborating effectively with colleagues. 

From a hiring standpoint, we believe in being ‘engaged employers’ and focusing on the candidate experience.  This involves getting to know each candidate, understanding their potential fit within our team, assessing their unique strengths and assets, and ensuring alignment with our corporate culture.

We encourage and engage in open and honest conversations with candidates. This approach allows us to cover key topics such as soft skills, hard skills, and culture fit comprehensively. We understand that assessing these aspects requires depth and exploration beyond a single conversation, which is why we encourage our team to delve deep into different aspects of a candidate’s profile to assess the overall fit.

Snowflake’s Toronto office is continuing to hire for positions across engineering, sales, and more as the organization scales to meet increasing demand from customers. The region has a rich tech talent pool and top universities including the University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo, which we have deep relationships with. Our ultimate goal is to create a workforce and workplace where every team member thrives, and our hiring process reflects that commitment.

SK: Goldman Sachs, Kash Rangan, compared Snowflake to a Ferrari- bigger, better faster, analyzing data. How has the Snowflake platform evolved to deliver more value to customers? 

Snowflake is pioneering the next wave of AI innovation by providing enterprises with the data foundation and cutting-edge AI building blocks they need to fuel powerful AI and machine learning apps while keeping their data safe and governed.

An example of a recent innovation that I’m very excited about is Snowflake Cortex, which empowers all users to securely tap into the power of generative AI with their enterprise data — regardless of their technical expertise.

Snowflake Cortex is Snowflake’s new fully managed service that enables organizations to discover, analyze, and build AI apps in the Data Cloud more easily. With Snowflake Cortex, businesses can now build custom LLM-powered apps within minutes and maintain flexibility and control over their data. This also supports the democratization of generative AI, a key development in making AI accessible so every organization can harness it to drive value. 

QH: What industry trends are you currently seeing in data and AI, and how will these trends impact Canadian organizations [OR] the country’s tech talent? 

Several key trends in the data and AI landscape are impacting Canadian organizations and businesses in 2024, and beyond. 

We are seeing an explosion of large language model (LLM) apps, with the biggest surge in apps that put a natural language conversational layer on top of business problems, making it dramatically easier to talk to your data, generate insights, and even talk to your customers with intelligent chatbots. LLMs are growing exponentially as businesses leverage them to bring customer engagement and operational efficiency to a new standard. 

Additionally, we are seeing organizations get finer-grained about their data governance. There is a shift in focus from stringent data lockdowns to more nuanced data governance approaches. Businesses are exploring ways to make data accessible for authorized uses that align with their values and policies, reflecting an evolving approach to data management.

Lastly, the rise of the unified data platform is reshaping how enterprises are managing and utilizing data. Modern organizations are seeking centralized platforms that break down silos, facilitate integrations, ensure governance and security, and promote collaboration across departments. The growth of Snowflake Native Apps reflects this demand for unified data platforms, offering advantages in efficiency and collaboration.

SK: How do you keep an edge in a competitive tech environment? What are you reading now? Podcasts? Workouts? 

To stay competitive, I maintain open lines of communication with customers, as their feedback is crucial for product development to ensure we meet their needs and bolster their data and AI initiatives. 

Upskilling is another area of emphasis to maintain a competitive edge for my professional growth, alongside the professional growth of my teams. The evolving tech landscape demands continuous skill enhancement for everyone. From my perspective, as AI becomes more prevalent, employer-led upskilling programs will be critical for improved productivity. 

Physical well-being and community involvement have also been priorities throughout my career – from cold plunging to delivering presentations at local schools and forming partnerships with organizations like Toronto Womxn in Data Science. These experiences continue to be valuable for learning best practices, sharing experiences, and making meaningful contributions.

For more information about Snowflake Inc. visit https://www.snowflake.com/en/.

zeb’s product-centric digital transformation strategy customizes solutions that utilize advanced AWS features and AI-driven insights to optimize operations and reveal new business opportunities, ensuring unparalleled success and significantly enhances ROI for clients, establishing a new benchmark in digital excellence. 

“Our mission in Canada is simple yet ambitious: to empower businesses to harness AI for transformative success. Many companies know AI’s value but struggle to implement it. Our expertise across various industries allows us to seamlessly integrate AI, revolutionizing how businesses operate. We partner with major platforms like AWS, Databricks, ServiceNow, and Salesforce, identifying and bridging the gaps in their systems with AI solutions. Simply put, we don’t just use AI; we use it to strategically enhance businesses.” said Mal Vivek, CEO of zeb. 

zeb’s presence in the Canadian market will enable it to cater to the evolving needs of Canadian businesses effectively. By fostering collaborations with local industry players and academic partners, zeb is committed to driving digital transformation and unlocking growth opportunities for organizations in the region. zeb has partnered with the region’s economic development agency, Toronto Global, to make valuable connections and expand in the Toronto Region.

“Our partnership with Toronto Global marks a significant milestone in our journey to expand a strong foothold in the Canadian market. We are excited to support Canadian businesses by combining strategic planning with a AI-powered methodology.” said Divya Gopinath, Country Head of zeb in Canada.

“Groundbreaking tech companies like zeb choose the Toronto Region for its competitive tech talent and resourceful business ecosystem. zeb’s innovative AI solutions will be a fitting addition to the Toronto Region’s fast-growing AI community. We would like to congratulate zeb on its presence in Mississauga and look forward to continuing our work with them to foster connections across the region.” said Stephen Lund, CEO of Toronto Global.

For more information about zeb and its digital transformation services, visit www.zeb.co 

About zeb 

zeb is a leading digital transformation strategy company and AWS Advanced Tier Partner that offers clients a holistic, product-centric approach to digital transformation by combining strategic planning with a proprietary AI-powered implementation methodology. With over 15 years of experience and a team of more than 1,500 technologists, we are committed to harnessing bleeding-edge technologies to provide our clients maximum ROI from their technology platforms. 

Headquartered in Bear, Delaware with presences in Dallas, Toronto, and Chennai, we serve clients across the globe in various industries and possess the domain knowledge and expertise required to address the unique challenges of businesses. At zeb, we are passionate about driving innovation through an in-depth understanding of our clients, their businesses, and their challenges. We are dedicated to being an end-to-end partner in our clients’ digital transformation journeys. 

Media Contact
Dhanasekar Gangatharan 
Marketing Practice Head 
dg@zeb.co 
www.zeb.co  

Toronto Global is the first point of contact for international businesses looking to accelerate expansion, make connections and access talent in the Toronto Region, Canada’s business, tech and financial capital. Our business-driven team has provided complimentary concierge services to more than 250 companies – including Sanofi, Netflix, Infosys and Unilever – setting the stage for success in the fastest-growing, most educated and diverse market in North America.