Ecom North

Our team is growing! 🌱

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This idea was born over a coffee with Andy Wang ☕ I believe one of life's hacks is to learn from and surround yourself with the best and brightest💡 I'm hosting a Retreat in Whistler, BC with the GOATs in DTC 🚀 I'm capping it at 30 founders, we have 10 spots left... Apply by Dec 15: Link in the comments Victor T. Rosa Li Mike Fata Tammy Phan Marnie Rabinovitch Consky (she/her) Karen Danudjaja Andy Hoang Hannah Todd Nick DUrbano Ethan Song Yiqi Wu Adam Blasco Adi Gullia Sharif Virani James Zhao Nicasio Co III Stallion Express Ecom North

Had another amazing week connecting with our TechTO community across #Canada. There’s so much support for builders out there. But, it’s clear that we need to help them navigate all these options better. -I met up with Kyle J Winters and Alexandra McGregor so they can give me an update on NEXT Canada. The network is up to over 400 ventures launched and over 5,000 jobs created. (https://lnkd.in/gXu7QuD2) -Loved meeting with Michelle Sabourin, CPA, CA and learning more about the new TD Innovation Partners (TD IP) initiative from TD focused on supporting technology businesses in the earliest days of their ventures. (https://tdip.td.com/) -On Tuesday night, I had the opportunity to connect with our #Commerce community at our quarterly TechTO Retail where we have Sharif Virani/Ecom North, Roy Aubeelack/Unilever, Sylvia Ng/ ReturnBear present and amazing 🇨🇦 brands like Stimmie, Wholly Veggie, @nosh balls Gingerbug, Rawcology Inc., Mave & Chez and Partake Brewing demo. -I had great discussion with Sylvain Carle and Phil Rivard about the #Montreal ecosystem and initiatives like Mouvement des accélérateurs d'innovation du Québec (https://mainqc.com/en/). -Started exploring some collaboration ideas for 🎉 Startupfest 2025 with Philippe Telio (https://lnkd.in/gx93TPyv) -Had an open discussion about Founder resilience and mental health with Toronto Business Development Centre founders and had a chance to learn more about their programs who bring founders from international markets to Canada with Sen Sachi and Yogananth Gopalakrishnan. (https://www.tbdc.com/) -Had lunch with Kayla Isabelle from Startup Canada and got a chance to learn more about the Startup Canada Tour (https://lnkd.in/gQujAkE8) -Caught up with Jon French the Director of University of Toronto Entrepreneurship (UTE) and to learn more about their upcoming programming including Entrepreneurship Week happening in March (https://lnkd.in/gVC_Eghy) -I also got to work with Sean Wise (prof of entrepreneurship at Toronto Metropolitan University) to coach cohort members of ChaiTech on their pitches as they prepare for their upcoming demo day. ChaiTech is a program focused on supporting Jewish innovators across Canada. Congrats to those behind it Daniel Warner/Chris Carder/ Karen Nussbaum Learn more and apply for the January cohort: https://www.chaitech.ca/ Oh and ... we launched a new #brand (https://www.techto.org/) and we acquired Peerscale a peer network that every #CEO #COO or #CTO of a company with significant traction in #GTA should be a part of! (Learn more here:https://lnkd.in/gJ3v8vPh) Another busy week but it's so exciting to see all the hard work people are putting into supporting Canadian #entrepreneurs. On my end... I've shaken a lot of hands in 2 months. I'm going to go heads down for a bit now and do some strategic planning work but let me know who else I should meet in Jan! #Canada #TechTO #Entrepreneurship #BuildingAloud #CanadianStartups #Startups

📣📣 We have two events that you won’t want to miss this week for our Toronto community and it’s NOT the Taylor Swift Concert! 🎤🎤 This Monday is our monthly TechTO event at Rotman! Join TechTO for in-depth conversations with tech leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs. This edition features Jacqueline Good Founder of Magnestar Inc. , Cobi Druxerman Co-Founder & CPO of DevCycle, Jason Zoltak Co-Founder & CEO at Tofu and Tim Sherstyuk 🧑💻🌎 Founder at Typescouts Runs starting at 6pm. You can get tix here: https://lnkd.in/gg9hcz6i - this edition will be hosted by Alex Norman + Alexandra Reilly. 🛍️🛍️This Tuesday! Kelly Brawn and I are back for another edition of TechTO Retail and this time we’re introducing you to a new host Sharif Virani from Ecom North 🤩. We have a power lineup including Sylvia Ng CEO of ReturnBear, Roy Aubeelack Head of Technology at Unilever Canada and Steve Ballantyne from Station Cold Brew !!! We also have a TON of marketplace brands that you’ll have a chance to discover. Event starts at 6pm Tuesday at OneEleven. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gTb-eEE5 Can’t wait to see you! #Toronto #Events #Community #Networking #Startups #Business #TaylorSwift

🚨 FEATURE FRIDAY! We’re gearing up for Retail Toronto by TechTO happening next Tuesday (November 19th)... So today, we’re shining a spotlight on the amazing team behind the scenes making it all happen! Leading the charge is our friend Marie Chevrier Schwartz, CEO of TechTO and former founder of Sampler, who’s on a mission to bring big ideas to the Canadian tech and retail ecosystem. We had the pleasure of learning about Marie through our very own Sharif Virani, and it’s been SO inspiring to see her energy and passion in action. Joining Marie is a stellar team of movers and shakers Jason Goldlist, Alex Norman, Alexandra Reilly, Phoenix Ho, and Jared Gordon. 💪 At Retail Toronto, you'll also hear from inspiring speakers: 🎤 Roy Aubeelack (Head of Technology at Unilever Canada) 🎤 Sylvia Ng (CEO at ReturnBear) 🎤 Steve Ballantyne (Founder of Station Cold Brew ) 🎤 Kelly Brawn (Director of Product Marketing at Roots) You’ll ALSO get to: 💡 Pick up tips and tricks from some of the smartest minds in tech, retail, and branding. 🤝 Meet awesome people who are shaking things up in the industry (and maybe your next business bestie!). 🛍️ Check out a cool marketplace featuring some of the hottest CPG brands. 🍴 Snack, sip, and soak up the vibes at the beautiful OneEleven! If you don't want to miss a chance to connect with industry leaders and explore what’s next for retail and tech... Get your tickets through the link below!

This is Suneal Pabari. Also known as the Founder of The Roasters Pack— 10 years of packing, labeling, and building a coffee community from the ground up.☕ What once started in his parents' Oakville home.. Has grown into a unique coffee subscription that brings OVER 50 different Canadian roasters into the homes of coffee lovers discover new flavors EVERY YEAR. Watch til the end to find out how Suneal hustled his way to a $50k Canada Post prize through sheer determination—and a lot of self-voting! 😆

🌪 🌟 I've been at TechTO for just over a month now and WOW! It's been such an exciting time. Over the last 30-ish days my goal was to profoundly understand the state of our Canadian tech ecosystem so here's what we did: ☑ Met with over 350 builders in Toronto across the special invites I got to visit or learn about the builders who leverage places or organizations like OneEleven, MaRS Discovery District, Antler, DMZ, BDC, University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management, Schulich School of Business - York University, WPP, YSpace York University, ChaiTech, Founders Fund, Peerscale, Hustle Fund etc.. ☑ Hosted two events in Vancouver + Toronto and had several calls with strong community leaders in those cities who can help us maximize our presence and impact. More on that to come.. ☑ Met with several organizations who are doing great stuff for our ecosystem including Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, Wave HQ, Humi, Export Development Canada | Exportation et développement Canada, NEXT Canada, National Bank of Canada, Ecom North, Fuckup Nights Toronto, Scale Without Borders, WPP, Firework, TrueNorthCTO, MTL New Tech and talked to them about how we can amplify their work ☑ Came up with some crazy ideas and made them happen with my super teammates Alexandra Reilly + Phoenix Ho including chartering a bus to SAAS NORTH Conference next week in partnership with GuruLink and several accelerators who were able to offer ticket + transportation for the next generation of builders to attend Anyways.. it's been BUSY but, we're not done! We have TWO major announcements coming in the coming weeks and you will want to stay tuned! Canadian tech LET'S GO! 🚀 Tell me, who else should I meet tag them below and DMs are open if you're doing something cool we should know about! ❤️ #TechTO #CanadianTech cc: Jason Goldlist Alex Norman Jared Gordon

🚨 FEATURE FRIDAY! Meet Apricotton, where bras actually GROW with girls.💝 When Jessica Miao took her little sister, then 12-year-old, Cindy bra shopping, it was awkward, uncomfortable, and overall, a total struggle to find something that fit. Cindy had to try on 15 (!!) bras just to find only two that worked. She then ended up outgrowing these bras... in months! Jessica, along with friend and Co-Founder Chloe Beaudoin knew finding bras shouldn’t be this hard, so they created Apricotton. With three soft colors, an elastic waistband, adjustable crisscross straps (to keep them hidden), and removable pads, Apricotton bras are designed to be comfortable through every single stage of puberty. Apart from all these thoughtful features, my fave thing about this brand is their mission to be "big sisters" to young girls. Every order arrives ✨hand-wrapped✨ with a note from Jessica or Chloe, making it more than just a regular package, but basically a gift from an older sister — a gift to help you feel confident, celebrated, and supported, right from the very start. The only bad thing I can say is...I wish I had these when I was a pre-teen! BUT I’m so excited to see women making a difference for young girls in a time of their lives where support is so needed. Bra shopping can be extremely scary and embrassing (I still remember my first time!🫠) and it shouldn’t be! 🌟Girlhood🌟 and everything that comes with it, should be something we constantly celebrate. So thank you, Jessica and Chloe, for reminding us of this! Written with lots of love by an Apricotton appreciator, Coeli Fortun🌻

Aaron Spivak made his return to the stage at the Ecom North Summit on September 6, 2024, and we couldn’t be more excited that he's back! From mixing juice in the basement with his mom and brother to building Hush into an 8-figure brand helping over 150,000 people sleep better... Aaron’s journey shows us what hard-earned success really looks like. ❗Spoiler: it’s not just about the numbers. It’s about getting through tough days, prioritizing your health, learning from every challenge, and surrounding yourself with the right people. 👇 Check out Aaron’s powerful keynote in the comments! And of course, a big shoutout to our awesome Growth Advisor Sharif Virani who welcomed Aaron back to Toronto and to our first ever Summit in this video.💚