Welcome again to our monthly feature celebrating companies operating and thriving in Ottawa.
From companies working to develop innovative tech solutions to brick-and-mortar businesses in the heart of Ottawa’s communities, each company is on a unique journey as part of Ottawa’s business community – and each has a story worth telling.
So, join us in starting the new year by celebrating Esprit-ai, OMG Social Media Agency and Signiant in the January edition of Ottawa Business Success Snapshots.
Esprit-ai Extends to BC through an Innovative Pilot Project with Menno Place
IO Flex program participant Esprit-ai is partnering with a leading campus of care in British Columbia to help improve the quality of life for patients in long-term care through its leveraging cutting-edge technology.
The Ottawa-headquartered AI-driven solutions provider recently teamed up with Menno Place, one of British Columbia’s largest senior care facilities, to launch an innovative three-month pilot project.
At the heart of the pilot project is Esprit-ai’s cutting-edge technology which uses camera-free sensors to monitor residents’ movements and sleep patterns without invading their privacy or disturbing their sleep.
This approach gives care staff the ability to monitor in real time, to better track sleep quality, identify when residents need repositioning to prevent bedsores, quickly respond to falls, and attend to restless residents. The goal is to reduce falls, a leading cause of injury among seniors, while also improving overall health outcomes and quality of life.
The collaboration marks Esprit-ai’s first venture in British Columbia, signalling an exciting milestone as the company grows its service area beyond the Ottawa region.
In a recent press release shared through the Esprit-ai website, CEO Patrick Tan shared how the relationship will help Esprit-ai’s technology to improve the quality of life for Canadians in long-term care.
We are thrilled to collaborate with Menno Place and support their team with our cutting-edge AI solutions,” he said. “Our technology is designed to help care teams identify risks early, providing a higher level of proactive care and ensuring better outcomes for residents.”
Home to over 700 residents, Menno Place serves as a valuable testing ground for the innovative system. The pilot will focus on data-driven solutions to common challenges in senior care, paving the way for broader implementation.
As the pilot progresses, Esprit-ai’s work with Menno Place stands as a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration in tackling pressing challenges in long-term care.
- IO Flex gives founders access to a select roster of the best business resources for every phase of their business, including Early-Stage Advisors, cost-saving start-up perks, a network of like-minded peers and more. Find out more.
OMG Social Media Agency: From Startup to Success with Starter Company Plus
A recent graduate from Invest Ottawa’s latest Starter Company Plus program cohort, OMG Social Media Agency Founder and CEO Caitlin Spearing is closing out 2024 and starting 2025 by achieving significant milestones —officially incorporating the agency and positioning it for continued growth.
According to Caitlin, OMG Social Media Agency was established to make social media management more accessible and affordable for small business owners looking to spread the word and get noticed on social media channels.
“I saw a need in the Ottawa community for affordable social media,” says Caitlin. “I wondered to myself; how can I deliver just as high quality of service at a price-point to the individuals I find most inspiring: other entrepreneurs?”
Caitlin says affordable packages can help make effective and efficient social media management a reality for small business owners, and OMG Social Media Agency’s services free up entrepreneurs by taking social media management off their plates so they can focus on doing what they do best.
“With what the OMG team creates, we aim to reduce over 80 hours of marketing work a month from the business owners’ plate,” Caitlin explains. “Now, there is still some work they need to do, but we aim to essentially give them 70 plus hours back in their month, allowing them to focus on revenue-generating activities.”
Levelling up through Starter Company Plus
The agency’s growth in the final quarter of 2024 has been remarkable, with the company going from being a one-person operation to a team of five. And according to Caitlin, it’s just the beginning.
“Due to our growth rate of onboarding new clients and increasing the work we do for existing clients, we will probably hire more creative individuals throughout 2025,” Caitlin added.
Caitlin credits the Ontario government’s Starter Company Plus program delivered by the Invest Ottawa team with helping her to transition the business from being a solely operated entity to operating as an employer.
“The program was of utmost importance on our journey from a sole proprietorship to an incorporated company allowing us to start taking steps to provide the dream workplace culture that some creative industries are missing, which would include benefits, competitive salaries and more.”
Making an impact in the community
To cap off a year of growth, the agency had the opportunity to become a category sponsor for the Businesswoman of the Year Awards in the Entrepreneurial Leader, Emerging Category with Caitlin also acting as co-chair for the event.
Caitlin also earned the Community Recognition Award for the second consecutive year, highlighting her dedication to supporting women in business and promoting the Women’s Business Network of Ottawa.
What’s next for OMG Social Media
Looking ahead, OMG Social is set to continue its growth trajectory, with plans to expand its client base, team, and revenue in 2025.
“Invest Ottawa helped take me from an entrepreneur with an idea to a business owner,” Caitlin reflects. “It gave me an understanding of what is needed to make my business a continuing success.”
- To learn more about OMG Social Media Agency, visit their website and Instagram page, and connect with Caitlin on LinkedIn here.
- Made possible by the Ontario government with additional support from Logan Katz LLP, the Starter Company Plus program can help you start, expand, or purchase an early-stage, non-tech business. To learn how you can join the next cohort- visit the Starter Company page here.
Signiant Secures Major Investment to Drive Global Growth in Media Software Innovation
Earlier in January, Signiant announced a significant majority growth investment from Battery Ventures – a global, technology-focused investment firm.
This investment sets the stage for Signiant to grow its market leadership and expand its offerings through both organic and inorganic growth.
Widely recognized for its cutting-edge SaaS solutions, Signiant provides software for fast, secure movement of large files over private and public networks.
Its SaaS platform connects more than 50,000 companies such as sports leagues, studios, post-production companies, broadcasters, and gaming developers, and the organization has earned the trust of name-brand clients such as NBCU, Warner Brothers Discovery, Ubisoft, and the National Hockey League.
With a significant presence in Ottawa, Signiant’s connection to Canada’s thriving tech ecosystem is evident. With a global team contributing to its success, Signiant’s innovative solutions reflect the region’s commitment to fostering excellence in Ottawa’s growing media & entertainment technology sector.
This growth investment marks an exciting chapter for Signiant and reinforces its position as a leader in the media technology space.
With Battery Ventures, the company plans to enhance product development, expand go-to-market efforts, explore potential future acquisitions, and strengthen its impact on how media companies navigate the increasingly complex digital landscape.
Invest Ottawa’s Global Expansion team has supported Signiant in many capacities, including talent discovery and employer branding. Now that Signiant is positioned for success in Ottawa and beyond, the team will be supporting them in their exciting growth journey ahead.
- To learn how Invest Ottawa’s Talent Team supports growing technology companies in the Ottawa region – check our Global Talent Program
- To learn about how we help businesses thrive in Ottawa – check our Global Expansion program.
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