Jared Shaw

Custom stacks can lead to two very real problems: depending on custom development and increased tech debt. Combined, your pace slows and ultimately, your trade-off is innovation and growth. That’s why Mejuri went from a fully custom stack to Shopify. Before Shopify, Mejuri was on an entirely custom stack: custom ecommerce, payments service, and middleware that was built to connect their custom ecommerce site to their point of sale system [POS]. This led to a ton of challenges. They were spending too much time building and maintaining 3rd party integrations to coordinate channels, data, and functionality between systems. With limited resources and team members, the trade-off of building custom features was they were not able to address their mounting technical debt. Addressing those issues in-house, slowed down their pace of innovation making them unable to deploy features as fast as they needed to. That’s the ‘invisible’ cost component with a custom stack. You spend an inordinate amount of time building custom features at the cost of innovation. Brands can avoid that with Shopify. Shopify is a natively unified ecommerce and POS system so everything just works together really really well. It doesn’t require middleware or integrations. Your customer, order, and product data flows to both channels from a single source of truth. It’s simpler and allows you to move faster. Hear about from Mejuri yourself. Rohit Nathany, the Chief Digital Officer sat down with us to talk about the pain points they faced on a custom stack. As Rohit says, what better way to simplify than to have a unified ecommerce and POS solution? See the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/eyCSdVgf

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Huge News yesterday My Son Troy "Canadian 🇨🇦" Jaroslawski Professional Gaming Team was acquired!! Shopify Rebellion join Rainbow Six Siege after picking up former Soniqs roster Shopify Rebellion are here. Shopify Rebellion have joined Rainbow Six Siege’s competitive scene after picking up the former Soniqs lineup. Overall, 2024 has been a rollercoaster of emotions for the former Soniqs squad. The Americans started the year on the right foot with a Top 6 finish at the Six Invitational 2024. However, the team missed out on the BLAST R6 Major Montreal after an eighth-place finish at the North America League 2024 Stage 1. Before the start of the season’s second split, the roster parted ways with Bryan “Merc” Wrzek and Adam “Atom” Gutiérrez. To replace them, the squad added the two-time Six Invitational champion Troy “Canadian” Jaroslawski and the Esports World Cup 2024-bound Damian “Surf” Medina. Following the roster changes, Soniqs immediately improved the team’s results. The players ended up winning the North America League 2024 Stage 2 and reached the BLAST R6 Major Montreal quarterfinals. Thanks to the roster’s improvement from the first to the second stage, the team ended up clinching a Six Invitational 2025 spot. Unfortunately for the American roster, Soniqs decided to exit the Rainbow Six Siege scene shortly after the conclusion of the BLAST R6 Major Montreal. Despite the team’s results, the organization “no longer wished to invest in Rainbow Six Siege,” according to the roster’s head coach Seth “supr” Hoffman. Three days after supr unveiled Soniqs’ decision, the American roster has already found a new home: Shopify Rebellion. Shopify Rebellion is one of the most important esports organizations in North America right now. Recently, Shopify Rebellion won the Valorant Game Changers 2024 with a 3-0 victory over MIBR GC. The North American organization is also competing in League of Legends, Rocket League, Halo, Dota, Starcraft, and Street Fighter. With Shopify Rebellion joining Rainbow Six Siege, there are only two organization-less squads at the Six Invitational 2025: the former Bleed Esports roster and the former Cloud9 Beastcoast roster. If you want to stay up-to-date with all the news about Rainbow Six Siege and the Six Invitational 2025, don't forget to bookmark the site and follow us through our social media pages. https://lnkd.in/gChK6rxU

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Pumped to be in Toronto today for Shopify editions.dev with Barrel CTO Wes. If you're here - come say hi 👋🏼 If you haven’t had a chance to check out the 150+ product updates in Shopify’s bi-annual release, Summer Edition '24, check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gETbX_2P It’s hard to believe we’ve been helping brands launch on Shopify since 2009. A lot has changed in the last 15 years. It's no longer enough for brands to invest in their website alone—they need to meet their customers where they are to succeed. As an agency, Barrel has evolved from focusing solely on a client’s website to examining the entire customer journey, seeking opportunities to enhance how customers shop and experience the brand across touchpoints. Many of our clients are CPG brands, making this approach even more relevant. These days we're working on building Shopify B2B E-Commerce storefronts, designing Amazon content, creating personalized email/SMS flows, and implementing Shopify POS. Shopify has continually evolved with merchants' changing needs and customers' buying patterns. They’re not afraid to embrace partnerships like Amazon Buy with Prime while investing the same energy in POS and B2B that got their core e-commerce offering to where it is today. The Summer ’24 Edition is aptly titled ‘Unified’ and, as usual, it’s a lot to digest. The addition of a “Top 10” summary this year is a great starting point. Among my favorite updates are unified & tailored Markets experiences across B2B and retail, store credit availability, split shipping in checkout, and seamless store pickup between POS and DTC. I'm eager to dive into the Summer Edition '24 with our team over the next few days and uncover new opportunities to enhance our clients' commerce experiences. + Subscribe to my newsletter for a weekly look at what I'm building and learning in agency leadership, life, and e-commerce: https://lnkd.in/eJU8Zpt

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Take Two is cutting staff and canceling projects while they wait for GTA6 to come out. They seem to be undertaking a year of efficiency not unlike Meta's in 2023. Sigh. I had hopped that Take Two was better than this. ----- Feb. 6, 2023: GamesIndustryBiz: "Take-Two misses sales guidance, downgrades forecast again. Zelnick says shortfall isn't on developers as publisher looks to trim expenses without sweeping layoffs" GamesIndustryBiz: https://lnkd.in/gtSUr4sy Feb 8, 2024 : IGN: "Take-Two CEO Says They Have 'No Current Plans' for Layoffs Amid Cost Reduction Program. Strauss Zelnick says they "haven't put any meat on the bones of" the cost reduction plan quite yet." IGN: https://lnkd.in/gM7tgBMA March 7, 2023 GamesIndustryBiz: "Take-Two cuts jobs at Private Division Publisher says impact on US dev teams is minimal, and it has started legal processes outside of US that could result in further layoffs" GamesIndustryBiz: https://lnkd.in/gRTN67MU March 28, 2024 GamesIndustryBiz: "Take-Two to acquire Gearbox from Embracer for $460 million. Randy Pitchford to remain leader of the Borderlands developer" GamesIndustryBiz: https://lnkd.in/g8_b7pwz April 17, 2024 GameDeveloper: "Take-Two is making layoffs weeks after dropping $460M on Gearbox Interactive. The publisher will spend up to $200 million on a cost reduction program that will also include project cancellations." GameDeveloper: https://lnkd.in/gV97WPwr ----- April 17, 2024 GamesIndustryBiz: "Take-Two laying off 5% of staff. In addition to approximately 580 jobs cut, publisher's latest cost reduction program also involves cancelling projects, streamlining organizational structure" ( Brendan Sinclair) (April 16, 2024) "Take-Two Interactive is embarking on another cost cutting program, and this one will see the company layoff about 5% of its employees by the end of the year. "As part of these efforts, the company is rationalizing its pipeline and eliminating several projects in development and streamlining its organizational structure, which will eliminate headcount and reduce future hiring needs," Take-Two explained in an SEC filing stating that the board of directors approved the new program today. In its latest annual report, Take-Two reported having 11,580 full-time employees, which would put the layoffs at approximately 580 people. Take-Two expects the cost reduction program to cost up to $200 million, with as much as $140 million in charges coming from the cancelled games, up to $35 million in employee severance and similar charges, and as much as $25 million more in office space reduction expenses. Take-Two has posted net losses for seven straight quarters. Its last quarter reporting a net profit was the three months ended June 30, 2022, the quarter before the publisher closed on its acquisition of Zynga." GamesIndustryBiz https://lnkd.in/g4rD93_4 #gameindustry #gamelayoffs #disturbanceintheforce #gamedev #taketwo

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Despite the pessimism around Vancouver’s tech scene, I’m optimistic about its future. IMO, if you want to see real change, you have to be delusionally optimistic. Sure, there’s a lot of work ahead, but I’m bullish on Vancouver. 🚀 My take on Vancouver tech for BetaKit:

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Such a great blog post which I suggest every founder read. So many golden nuggets in here. But one that stands out: What are some qualities that you see in the most successful founders? Well, I love smart people, with high IQs, and high EQs, that’s great. But, of the founders that I see, the highest correlation with success is with their grit quotient. They’re not necessarily the smartest people in the world, but their grit and determination are unbelievable. They never give up and always find a way to blast through any obstacle they face. It’s the mentality of “succeed or die” – it’s that kind of determination that wins. #gritcotient #grit #founder #highperformancemindset

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As a web developer, I’ve noticed something interesting: people feel more confident when shopping on websites built with Shopify. It’s amazing to see the level of trust Shopify has earned among online shoppers. What surprises me is how often I hear people specifically mention that a site is built with Shopify and how that immediately boosts their confidence in making a purchase. It’s a testament to the platform’s reliability and user-friendly experience. In a world where online trust is everything, choosing the right platform can make all the difference. That’s why I’m proud to build with Shopify—it’s a platform that not only supports businesses but also helps customers feel secure in their buying decisions. #Ecommerce #WebDevelopment #Shopify #CustomerTrust #OnlineShopping

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In the current tech landscape, the value of a name can change dramatically, overnight. Protecting your name and your brand has never been more important, something BetaKit learned first hand. Take this from someone who saw her own name take on a life of it's own more than 13 years ago. Important reminder for Canadian companies to consider locking down their .CA top-level domain, even as a hedge against future brand co-opting. Not sure if you should? Search the .CA of your company name and see what happens. I'm talking to you Cohere.

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🚀 TechPOS: Paving the Way for Retail Success Across Canada 🚀 In a rapidly changing industry, TechPOS is proud to be the trusted partner for cannabis retailers from coast to coast, providing advanced technology that addresses today’s unique retail challenges. With a portfolio spanning over a thousand stores, our mission is simple: to deliver a seamless omnichannel experience that puts our retailers’ success first. Our team combines the best of technology leadership and cannabis expertise to drive real, lasting results. Here’s how TechPOS is empowering retailers 👇 🌐 Unified Omnichannel Experience TechPOS connects online, in-store, and mobile shopping into one smooth journey, offering features like click-and-collect and curbside pickup. This flexibility makes it easier for customers to shop where and when they choose, enhancing convenience and boosting loyalty. 📊 Data-Driven Decisions for Greater Profitability Through deep analytics, TechPOS gives retailers insights into customer preferences, purchasing trends, and inventory optimization. 🏆 Loyalty Programs That Build Lasting Connections Our integrated loyalty programs reward customers across channels, keeping them engaged and coming back. With mobile app integration, customers receive exclusive offers and reminders that make every shopping trip worthwhile. 🎥 In-Store Digital Displays that Drive Engagement Dynamic digital signage allows retailers to capture attention and promote key products in real-time. TechPOS technology keeps promotions and inventory in sync, creating an engaging in-store experience that aligns with real customer demand. 🔍 Advanced Demand Forecasting for Optimal Inventory TechPOS’s advanced technology ensures high-demand products are always available, reducing excess stock and avoiding costly shortages. This approach means less waste and maximized sales, tailored to customer needs. 🔮 Next-Level Immersive Shopping with AR & VR As technology evolves toward virtual reality, TechPOS is poised to lead. With a team that has collaborated with Microsoft’s AR experts, we’re bringing immersive shopping experiences to the forefront. Imagine visualizing products before purchase – that’s where retail is heading, and we’re excited to set the course. 🤖 24/7 Intelligent Support with Chatbots Our smart chatbots provide round-the-clock assistance, ensuring that staff have the support they need when they need it. TechPOS is at the forefront of an industry transformation, combining advanced technology and deep cannabis expertise to empower retail stores with the tools they need to scale successfully. We’re here to create real solutions for real challenges, prioritizing our retailers' growth and profitability. Ready to elevate your store? Partner with TechPOS and join us on the journey toward the future of retail. 🌱💼 #TechPOS #CannabisRetail #RetailInnovation #CustomerFirst #DataDriven #IntegratedPayments #RetailSuccess #Omnichannel #AdvancedTechnology #CannabisIndustry #Canada

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The 3 top secrets about SR&ED If you’re a founder in the Canadian tech space - this snippet is for you! 1. In 2019, SR&ED provided >$3 billion in tax incentives to over 20,000 businesses. A quick 1-liner on SR&ED: It is the single largest federal program to support R&D in businesses in Canada. 2. 80% of SR&ED claims were received by companies with <100 employees I really want to hammer this home 2% of claims came from Solopreneurs Since this is from 2019, I fully expect this number to be higher for 2023-2024 57% were for companies with 1 to 19 employees…again based on 2019 data The takeaway - You might be small But you’re a powerhouse of innovation 3. You had an innovative-as-heck idea, spent time and experimented on it; but it failed You can still claim SR&ED on it. I LOVE this because it is the correct long term approach. Be rewarded for your innovative attempt, not its outcome. — Like this snippet? Please let me know what you thought in the comments below. Also, follow me for more insights. Want to get started with SR&ED for your business? Drop me a note for a no-obligations consultation.

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How I went from $0 to $10 Million In Sales: For those who may not know me yet, my name is Cristian Maierean, and I proudly serve as the founder and CEO of GamerTech Toronto. We've established ourselves as Canada's premier custom PC builders, extending our services on an international scale. In the upcoming months, I'm excited to share the story of my journey, detailing how I progressed from operating out of my parent's garage to becoming the leading custom PC vendor in Canada. In less than four years, GamerTech has achieved over $10 million in sales and cultivated a vast online following. I hope to inspire many of you to embark on this narrative with me, and perhaps, inspire you to pursue your own dreams. Here's a brief look at how it all started: Since childhood, I've had a profound passion for computers and PCs, a field that has always fascinated me. During my third year studying software development at Seneca, when COVID-19 struck, I found myself facing an uncertain summer. Although coding was my primary interest, I also needed to find a way to earn. With some scholarship funds, I built an exceptional computer and, rather than keeping it, decided to sell it on Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace at a slight markup. I invested about $20 in ads, and to my surprise, the computer sold the very next day. This success prompted me to continue building and selling PCs. The demand was strong, and the profits were encouraging. It became clear to me that there was significant potential in this venture. Just a week later, I took the leap and established my own PC building company and brand. I created an entire website in one day, set up all the listings, and spent that entire summer repeating the process. If you're eager to hear more about this entrepreneurial journey, please follow me here on LinkedIn. I'll be sharing more insights and milestones over the next few months.

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Now this is interesting.... expanding the pool of angel investors

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Shopify showed the world that simplifying something complex can generate $8B in annual revenue. Here’s how I’m bringing that lesson to the company I co-founded: When Shopify started, they were turned down by almost all VCs - The market was deemed way too small.    What those VCs missed - Shopify was creating its own market. The VCs didn’t see this because they were only looking at existing markets. Now, Shopify is closing in on $8B annual revenue. “Market sizing gets much larger as friction is removed.” Tobi Lütke, co-founder and CEO of Shopify. Because taking something complex, making it simple, and inviting new players into the e-commerce space. Expanding the market size… This is essentially what we’re trying to do with private market investing at Stableton. Private companies that have reached the growth equity or pre-IPO phase are typically fast-growing, well-funded, often profitable and can provide strong returns to investors. The problem: It is out of reach for most investors, including banks and wealth managers. And even here, most of them typically only participate in primary funding rounds. The only way to invest is by participating in secondary transactions, which are complex deals many investors are unaware of. We’re taking this complex problem and making it simple. We’ve built a portfolio of the Top 20 pre-IPO tech companies by making 50-100 secondary transactions per year. As the go-to partner for pre-IPO investing, we can enable financial firms and their end clients to participate and subscribe to this portfolio, much like an ETF. This way, they get exposure to some of the most attractive private assets without ever engaging in a single secondary trade. From complex to simple. Want to learn more? Check out Stableton’s Navigator newsletter for the latest investing trends and insights: https://lnkd.in/eBE5GxAK #secondaries #innovation #growthequity

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Are you keeping up with Vancouver's tech scene? 🚀 It's a hub that's constantly buzzing with innovation, and the opportunities for tech pros are just as dynamic! Vancouver has become a beacon for tech talent, with its vibrant startup ecosystem and influx of established tech giants. This city is not just about its stunning landscapes; it's also where cutting-edge tech meets community and growth. For those in tech, this means a landscape ripe with potential. From AI to clean tech, the city is home to a diverse range of sectors seeking skilled professionals. Whether you're a developer, engineer, or tech leader, there's a place for you to shine and grow. At TEEMA, we're excited about connecting talent with opportunity in this ever-evolving market. We've seen firsthand how the right match can spark innovation and drive success. So, if you're ready to take on new challenges and make an impact, let's chat. Vancouver's tech wave waits for no one, and the time to ride it is now! 🌊 👉 Visit teemagroup.com to explore how we can help you navigate this thriving tech landscape. #VancouverTech #TechCareers #TEEMA

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Hi All, check out some thoughts from tech thought leader, Laura Mingail, on the future of entertainment. If you enjoy this, you can expect to see more insights coming from her in the coming months. #FutureOfEntertianment, #storytelling, #AI, #VR, #AR

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We just had a record breaking month, and we are not slowing down at Maple. We've just sent out an email to our entire user base, committing to some major product launches in May. At Maple, we pride ourselves on shipping great features, at a high velocity, for the families who use us. So here is what we have cooking: - A new calendar integration. Finally, Microsoft Outlook will be available in Maple. -A significant overhaul is coming to how people will use Maple, taking a year of feedback and delivering on making Maple easier to get in and out of your favorite tools. -Introducing new customizations, including cover photos on your folders. -AND we have made Maple Plus free to use for 7 days before committing to a monthly or annual cost!!!! To kick off May, we are rolling out our first investment to bring your family up front and center. This is both a healthy reminder of who you are doing all this hard work for, and it makes a far more pleasant experience for our tablet users- who now can benefit from Maple being a collage of family photos when it is just resting on your countertop. A modern take on your family photos sitting on your fridge. You are going to love these updates.

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Pixels and Pints! It was my first time to come to one of the most legendary meetups in Calgary organized for over a decade by the OG community builder Tony Grimes. The purpose of Pixels and Pints is simple: provide a venue for web developers and digital creatives to sit down, relax and talk shop. There are no presentations, tutorials or pre-defined discussion topics; just a few pints and good conversation. All are welcome: designers; coders; copywriters; analysts; anyone who spends their day pushing, publishing or just plain programming pixels. Why the pints? Because after a long work day, you probably need one.

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It appears to me that the need for competently managed, high-IRR, early-stage Canadian micro VCs is becoming acute. https://lnkd.in/gi2uuspE

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