This month, we’re spotlighting three Ottawa-based companies that are scaling with vision, purpose, and creativity.

Obruta Space Solutions is advancing next-generation satellite servicing technologies with support from the Canadian Space Agency. Kinaxis is launching a new AI-powered platform that reimagines the future of global supply chain orchestration. And Moose Munchies Candy Co. is gaining national retail traction with a values-driven approach to artisanal, dietary-inclusive confections.

These founders and firms are building ambitious, high-impact businesses from right here in Canada’s capital. Read on to discover the latest success stories in this month’s edition.

---

Kinaxis: Ushering in the Agentic Era of Supply Chain Innovation 

Ottawa is touted as a global leader in AI technology and innovation. With the groundbreaking advancements of Kinaxis (TSX: KXS), a homegrown pioneer in supply chain management and AI-driven planning solutions, our city’s reputation continues to grow.

Recently, Kinaxis has unveiled Maestro Agents, an intelligent, AI-powered innovation designed to transform how organizations manage complex global supply chains.

Launched in October 2025, Maestro Agents represent a new era of agentic AI, supporting digital co-workers that actively collaborate with human planners to deliver faster, more informed, and transparent decision-making.

Unlike traditional AI tools, Maestro Agents are embedded directly into Kinaxis’ Maestro platform, enabling them to understand live constraints such as supplier capacity, inventory levels, production schedules, and customer priorities.

“Kinaxis agents are already helping our planning team collaborate more effectively with customers and contract manufacturers,” said John Finnigan, Senior Director, Advanced Planning at Jabil. “With human-in-the-loop safeguards, we’re reaching decisions faster today and see strong potential to build a more resilient and networked supply chain.”

This powerful technology empowers planners to move beyond static reports and manual processes, making data-driven decisions in real time.

Kinaxis also introduced the Maestro Agent Studio in a limited capacity and plans to launch an agent marketplace in 2026, further expanding collaboration and innovation opportunities for supply chain professionals worldwide.

As Kinaxis continues to push the boundaries of AI and automation from its Ottawa headquarters, it not only strengthens its global leadership in supply chain orchestration but also reinforces Ottawa’s position as a world-class technology hub.

• Read the full press release.
• Learn more about Kinaxis’s Agentic AI solutions
• Discover how Invest Ottawa supports groundbreaking tech companies through our tailored business growth support and services.

Obruta Space Solutions Lands $1 M Award to Advance Satellite Servicing Technology

Ottawa’s innovation ecosystem continues to shine. Ottawa-based Obruta Space Solutions has been awarded $1 million from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to develop its next-generation Rendezvous, Proximity Operations & Docking (RPOD) Kit.

This cutting-edge technology enables spacecraft to approach, inspect, refuel, or repair other satellites, a game-changer for space sustainability, in-orbit servicing, and debris mitigation.

Founded and headquartered in Ottawa, Obruta has already completed a 17-month on-orbit software test campaign. With this new funding, the company will ramp up development, increasing its technology readiness level and establishing a world-class testing facility to validate its vision-based RPOD systems under simulated space conditions.

“We’re thrilled to announce that Obruta has been awarded a $1,000,000 contribution through the Canadian Space Agency’s Space Technology Development Program,” the company shared in a recent LinkedIn post. “This funding will accelerate the development of our vision-based system for autonomous spacecraft Rendezvous, Proximity Operations, and Docking — the RPOD Kit!”

A Proud Milestone for Ottawa’s Space Innovation Ecosystem

This achievement further reinforces Ottawa’s growing reputation as a national hub for space and advanced technology innovation. Through Invest Ottawa’s Venture Path program, Obruta has received support for intellectual property strategy and commercialization — helping the company scale globally while remaining firmly rooted in Canada’s capital.

The CSA award also aligns with national priorities in space sovereignty and next-generation satellite servicing, positioning Obruta as a key player in Canada’s in-orbit infrastructure.

What’s Next for Obruta

With the CSA funding secured and a successful pilot phase completed, Obruta is now preparing to scale. Next steps include validating the RPOD Kit in simulated and real-world environments, expanding autonomous servicing capabilities for commercial and defence clients and building a globally competitive satellite-servicing ecosystem anchored in Ottawa’s tech infrastructure.

• Read the full announcement from the Canadian Space Agency:
• Learn more about Obruta: https://www.obruta.com
• Are you an Ottawa founder? Invest Ottawa’s Venture Path program can help support you on your growth journey.

Moose Munchies Candy Co. Builds a Sweet and Sustainable Future

“Think if Willy Wonka and Disney had a brainchild, that’s me, and my vision for the business.”

Not quite the description of your typical business, but that’s how Gillian Manton, founder of Moose Munchies Candy Co., describes the world she’s building.

From her home base, this single mom of two is creating a value-driven treat brand offering nut-free, gluten-free, and corn syrup–free fudges, artfully designed to make people smile and essentially to make them feel good.

But according to Gillian, the dream is about more than just the treat itself.

“Moose Munchies Candy Co. will be the treat-yourself, dietary-inclusive, giftable option our guests reach for first Canada-wide, with plans to eventually take on a European and Australian market,” she explained, “as well as offer a fun and family-focused immersive experience at our factory into the world of candy.”

With roots in Ottawa’s south end, a background in youth leadership and entrepreneurship programs, and support from Invest Ottawa’s E-Commerce Accelerator program, Gillian is growing her dream into a national – and eventually international movement focused on accessibility, sustainability, and community connection.

Retail Momentum

And the dream business is getting serious traction. Gillian recently secured listings with Foodland, Sobeys, and Walmart Online as a partner supplier, a major leap for the brand.

Based on her success in getting her product into the right hands, Gillian’s advice to fellow consumer packaged goods (CPG) and food founders is to teach out to your local supplier program coordinators and get started.

“The experience has been incredible, and I am very fortunate that the food industry is very welcoming and supportive,” she said. “It is still incredibly competitive, but when you succeed, so do the local supplier programs… the teams within them are there to help and support you on your journey, even if it’s just into two locations.”

Growing with Invest Ottawa’s E-Commerce Accelerator

Moose Munchies is a recent graduate of Invest Ottawa’s E-Commerce Accelerator program. According to Gillian, that’s where she found support to level up her digital operations and marketing.

“The program helped me streamline my online presence and improve my website to help increase online sales,” she explained. “It also helped build my online presence on social media, better understand business operations. You have to wear a lot of hats and unfortunately the reality is that you can’t be good at all of them, so Invest Ottawa has been instrumental in filling in pieces that needed to be recognized and put into practice.”

She also emphasized the sense of belonging as being a key value point in the program: “Being surrounded by like-minded people that are all on their own journey for business and personal success is a wonderful atmosphere to be a part of.”

Rooted in Community and Sustainability

Moose Munchies is proudly women-owned, rurally operated, and deeply values-driven. From charitable giving to sustainable sourcing, Gillian is building a business that reflects her values — and her vision for the future.

That includes charitable work supporting CHEO, local food banks, cancer research, and plans to scale with biodegradable film and FSC-certified paper packaging.

“We have a strong commitment to being just as involved in our local community as well as showing our national pride across Canada,” she said.

Looking Ahead

“We look forward to growing our production facility and capabilities to where we can scale to Canada-wide and beyond,” says Gillian. “For now, we are learning, connecting and observing as we plan our foundation for an ambitious future.”

Shoppers can keep an eye out for seasonal flavours like Egg Nog and find store locations via the “Find Us” section of the Moose Munchies website.

• Follow Moose Munchies Candy Co.
  moosemunchiescandyco.com
  Instagram & Facebook: @moosemunchiescandyco
• Want to grow your own business with Invest Ottawa?
  Visit our website to learn more about the E-Commerce Accelerator program – and sign up to get notified about our next cohort.

---

Looking to start or grow your business?

From idea to start-up to established — discover and explore Invest Ottawa programs and services that can help grow and scale your business no matter where you are in the business lifecycle.   Find the right program for your business.