Post by Harp Girn, Vice-President, Small Medium & Corporate Sales

Small and medium sized businesses are the backbone of our economy. According to the Government of Canada, in 2018, 97.9 percent (1.18 million) businesses were small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). With COVID-19 impacting organizations across the globe, around 14 percent of SMBs face collapse and closure. As some businesses prepare to reopen while others remain completely remote, SMBs face unprecedented challenges. Decreasing this risk is critical for the functioning of the economy.

As part of our mission to empower every individual and organization on the planet to achieve more, Microsoft wants to help Canada’s SMBs digitally transform their operations to enable their recovery and better navigate an unknown realm. The Canadian workplace environment keeps evolving and we must ensure that SMBs stand well-equipped to thrive in these challenging situations.

Microsoft is doing everything we can to keep SMB employees productive and connected, now and forever. We strive to support them with the right tools, so they feel empowered to hire more talent and achieve more. We make significant investments in proper technical training to help them with the transition. And we show our support by spreading the word about Canada’s amazing startups and technology-driven companies. Which brings us to the Great Canadian Innovators yearbook!

In 2018, we released our first yearbook. To celebrate our SMBs, startups, and partner communities, we’re releasing a 2020 version of Great Canadian Innovators yearbook. The new edition features a collection of 15 remarkable, technology-driven Canadian companies innovating in their field leveraging AI, IoT, BI, and more.

This book includes innovators from coast to coast. Let’s get started!

Explorance sets the tone for the whole yearbook with their amazing story. The world’s largest provider of journey analytics solutions, Explorance’s unique culture and innovative solutions have attracted Fortune 500 companies and learning institutions and earned them accolades as the #2 best workplace in Canada.

A digital pioneer in the baking industry, FGF Brands is North America’s largest bakers with a variety of products. Also known as a technology company that bakes, they use top-notch technology to produce wholesome, natural, high-quality foods.

HYAS, with the help of Azure, helps Fortune 50 and 100 companies with unique threat attribution solutions designed to pinpoint the perpetrators of cybercrimes.

Kognitiv Spark is an industrial task support company that uses augmented reality, artificial intelligence and IoT data to digitally connect experts and remote workers in real-time to facilitate complex troubleshooting and task guidance.

Meanwhile, MindBridge used the Azure cloud platform to build the world’s first financial auditing solution leveraging artificial intelligence to reduce costly errors.

With a dealer network in 16 countries, Napoleon’s R&D-driven approach delivers global results.

OneOcean is the world’s most successful integrated navigation solutions provider in the maritime sector. Over 20,000 marine vessels worldwide rely on OneOcean solutions to navigate more efficiently.

PUG Interactive uses gamification, creativity, and fun to inspire more customer loyalty than traditional loyalty tactics.

PureFacts’ wealth management solutions create more transparency using artificial intelligence, big data, and business acumen.

RamSoft a remote imaging and radiology solutions company empowers healthcare providers to collaborate on patient care.

SPUD.ca is a local organic food delivery company that uses artificial intelligence to reduce food waste to almost zero.

Tactio Health’s senior-friendly, scalable solutions for digital care and connectivity have been adopted on four continents.

ThoughtWire is specializing in smart spaces promises to deliver innovative solutions to smart hospitals, spaces, cities, and buildings.

Trevali Mining Corp. is a mining and metals company that uses artificial intelligence and business intelligence to run remote sites efficiently.

vGis uses holograms and augmented reality to display infrastructure—like pipes, lines, cables, and other assets—in-field and in real time. vGis enables construction teams to “look before they dig.”

The Great Canadian Innovators Yearbook 2020 is an extremely valuable and meaningful handbook, highlighting extraordinary innovations and ideas. It recognizes the great entrepreneurs and leaders collaborating with Microsoft to bring outstanding solutions to their fullest potential through the power of AI, cloud-based analytics and computing, and augmented reality.

“Honoring and celebrating Canadian SMBs and startups is something we always do – their creativity and commitment to providing the best services inspires us and deserves recognition.”

In this fast-paced world, competing against other companies and winning in the technology industry is a major accomplishment. Even with such a great start to their business journeys, these innovators still have so much exciting potential to achieve.

Today, I proudly share these 15 inspiring stories of companies committed to staying resilient, creative, and productive, despite a world pandemic. I hope you continue to support SMBs and find their stories as inspiring as we do. We are in this together!