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3 Magazine debuts with Abdullah Snobar: DMZ’s Executive Director on leadership, family and Third Culture values

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3 Magazine debuts with Abdullah Snobar: DMZ’s Executive Director on leadership, family and Third Culture values

Abdullah Snobar, Executive Director of DMZ, at 3 Magazine’s launch event.

When Executive Director of DMZ, Abdullah Snobar, was invited to be the cover and feature story of the inaugural issue of 3 Magazine, it was a chance to step into a new light—one that offered him the opportunity to share his story and celebrate the people who shaped him. 

The experience was both exhilarating and introspective, allowing DMZ’s Executive Director of 9 years to reflect on his career journey, his family and the values that have molded him to become one of Canada’s most inspiring tech leaders and the driving force behind DMZ’s success. 

3 Magazine represents more than just another media publication. At DMZ, we’re ecstatic about  this new platform because it embodies a mission that deeply resonates with our own values. 

The magazine reflects the ambitions of global citizens, captures the resilience of Canadian newcomers and explores the rich intersection of diverse cultures that define modern Canada. It celebrates Third Culture Individuals and the culturally curious, honouring those who are born in one place but enriched by the experiences of many others.

3 Magazine is a testament to the power of storytelling from diverse perspectives, much like the founders we support at DMZ, who bring unique insights to the Canadian innovation landscape.

Behind the scenes: The making of Abdullah’s feature on 3 magazine

Abdullah Snobar, Executive Director of DMZ, at the photo shoot for 3 Magazine cover story.

From the initial outreach to the celebratory launch party, the entire process unfolded in just around a month, culminating in a story that captures the essence of Abdullah’s leadership and the deep-rooted values that guide him.

The story told in 3 and written by Melissa Vincent, is one of the most authentic portrayals of Abdullah to date. It doesn’t just highlight his accomplishments; it delves into the heart of who he is, drawing a vivid picture of a leader who is as proud of his family roots as he is of his professional achievements. This feature gave Abdullah a rare opportunity to showcase the personal side of his journey—something he’s deeply proud of but doesn’t often get the chance to share.

Abdullah credits the depth and authenticity of the story to Vincent’s exceptional storytelling skills. 

The photoshoot for the magazine was another memorable part of the experience. It was a day that allowed Abdullah to step outside of his usual comfort zone, embracing a side of creativity and expression that’s not typically part of his day-to-day. 

Abdullah’s approach: Why it’s not what we do, but how we do it.

One standout piece from Abdullah’s feature article explores his philosophy of excellence, a principle that has been a key pillar behind DMZ’s unique approach in the market. Abdullah’s perspective is clear: At DMZ, it’s not what we do that’s special; it’s how we do it. 

Abdullah’s commitment to service excellence and going above and beyond for the founders we have the privilege of supporting has defined DMZ and shaped our programming in many ways. 

We pay attention to detail to ensure every aspect of our founders’ needs is met by embracing a spirit to serve. His motto? To achieve excellence, you must be ruthless on quality across the board—that’s the bottom line.

This philosophy draws from the newcomer experience. “Immigrants have nothing to lose because they’re starting from zero, but everything to lose because they have people that rely on them to survive,” Abdullah noted in his interview with 3. Whether it’s specialty food markets going above and beyond in curating products that cater to their community’s need or salons and barbershops providing personalized consultations and offering services that cater to specific cultural needs, these touches are what set the newcomer mentality — and their commitment to service excellence — apart. 

Coming full circle: Celebrating his family’s impact in his success 

Abdullah Snobar, Executive Director of DMZ, at 3 Magazine’s launch event with friends and family.

Abdullah’s family played a significant role in his upbringing and he attributes a lot of who he is today to them. Abe and Mo—both prominently featured in the piece as significant influences in his life— had always been there. 

“Growing up, I was the observer,” Abdullah recalled. “I watched my brothers, learned from their mistakes, and found my path by balancing their boldness with my own cautious curiosity.” 

Their presence at the event was a full-circle moment—a celebration of the family values that have been at the core of Abdullah’s personal and professional ethos.

Abdullah’s journey from behind the camera to the cover of 3 Magazine is more than a story of personal growth; it’s a reflection of the values that drive DMZ forward. It’s about understanding that success is not just a goal but a process rooted in resilience, empathy, and a deep connection to community.

3 Magazine is an exciting new chapter for Canadian media, and at DMZ, we are proud to support its mission and its storytelling. Abdullah’s feature captures the essence of what makes our approach unique—an unwavering commitment to excellence, driven by the values of the diverse communities we serve.

Read the full story on Abdullah by heading to dmz.to/3magazine.

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DMZ would like to give a huge thank you to the outstanding team at 3 Magazine.

Publisher: Muraly Srinarayanathas / @muralysrinarayanathas
Editor-in-Chief: Stacy Lee Kong / @stacyleekongSenior
Art Director: Adam Cholewa / @admchlw
Photo Editor: Jalani Morgan / @jalanimorgan
Photographer: Sahar Rana / @saharrranaAssistant:
Jasmine Mistry / @jaspmistryStyling:
Neil Franklyn / @neio101 @judyinc
Grooming: Ty Wilson / @tywilsonmua @judyinc
Writer Melissa Vincent / @melissajuicebox

Innovation in education: How SuperCode is redefining learning through play and coding

We’ve seen first-hand how startups have been the engines driving transformation across industries, redefining how we approach challenges entirely. 

In the realm of education, this is no different. DMZ startups like SuperCode are pioneering new ways to teach essential skills, making complex learning not only accessible but fun. SuperCode offers a platform for children that teaches coding through immersive multiplayer 3D worlds, empowering young coders to build, code and play.


Born out of both concern and excitement of the internet and the world it created for children to grow up in, CEO and Founder Paul Greenberg wanted to create a safe and meaningful platform that would help kids develop their creativity while learning essential digital skills.

We sat down with Greenberg to understand how SuperCode is changing the landscape of coding education and empowering organizations to seamlessly deliver a deeply engaging, compelling and effective learn-to-code solution.

From doom scrolling to coding.

In a world where children’s attention spans are often seen as shrinking, SuperCode takes a different approach than the all too common flashy in-your-face dopamine rush route. By following the “Low Floors, Wide Walls, High Ceilings” philosophy, a concept developed at MIT, SuperCode ensures beginners can start easily, explore a wide range of possibilities and grow their skills over time. Plus, SuperCode’s Senpais, in-app mentors, provide guidance and support to help kids stay engaged throughout their learning.

“The magic of SuperCode lies in its ability to foster flow-state learning—an immersive experience where SuperCoders lose track of time as they dive deep into their creative projects. This is not a community of young people with diminishing attention spans; rather, SuperCode is a community where kids regularly become so absorbed in their work that they forget about everything else,” said Greenberg.

Fuelling the next generation of tech-enthusiasts.

SuperCode goes beyond just teaching coding; it fosters a deep and lasting passion for coding and creativity. But don’t just take their word for it—this sentiment is echoed time and time again by their users’ parents.

Laura Harger, the mother of a 10-year-old SuperCoder of almost 4 years, said “SuperCode has fostered my son’s love for coding and has helped him develop coding skills in a safe and fun environment.”

Vance McPherson, the father of an 11 year old SuperCoder, had a similar experience. “My wife and I, who are both professional educators, are truly amazed. SuperCode came recommended by a developer friend and it far exceeded our expectations. Our son is loving it and is more excited for the Weekly Jams than I think I’ve ever seen him excited about anything.”

And the positive feedback has not just been from parents, but the SuperCoders themselves.  Since the launch of SuperCode Club, their model subscription, there has been a near 100% attendance rate in the weekly hosted jam events. Plus, SuperCoders are keen to log on multiple times in a single week, demonstrating a real interest in learning to code.

Rallying the troops.

Greenberg is a strong believer that we all have a responsibility in fostering digital talent, promoting coding education and democratizing access to tech.

“If we want to tackle the problems of tomorrow, we need to ensure we’re creating a rich pipeline of high-quality talent to take on future leadership roles within our institutions. The entire ecosystem—banks, schools, and corporations—plays a critical role, which is why we’re actively working with the community to reach more children,” said Greenberg.

SuperCode has teamed up with Nuclear Promise X, a nuclear engineering startup, to create opportunities for young girls to explore coding in a fun, supportive setting. This partnership is part of a broader trend, with various organizations, including government bodies and extracurricular programs, embracing SuperCode as their go-to platform for STEM and coding education.

By coming together, organizations can not only level the playing field to ensure every child, regardless of their socioeconomic status, has the chance to develop the skills necessary to thrive in a digital world.

Move over Minecraft and Roblox.

Unlike popular platforms like Minecraft and Roblox, where coding is an optional add-on, SuperCode places coding at the heart of the experience. 

 

The platform seamlessly integrates building, coding and playing within a single app, making it uniquely engaging for young learners. It’s not just a coding tool; it’s a vibrant community that fosters creativity, learning and a safe digital environment for kids.

In a world where screen time often gets a bad rap, SuperCode flips the script—turning mindless scrolling into meaningful coding. It’s not just another app; it’s a launchpad for the next generation of tech talent. 

 

Interested in partnering with SuperCode to access their ready to use platform? Reach out at partners@creatubbles.com

 

Interested in fuelling SuperCode’s growth? Reach out at investors@creatubbles.com

Navigating Next: Empowering the future of Black Innovation

DMZ’s annual Black Innovation Summit is a one-day event that brings together exceptional minds in the tech industry to drive change, build connections, and lead the way in developing strategies for Black entrepreneurs to succeed on a global scale.

This year, we are embracing the theme “Navigating Next”, which builds on our ongoing support for Black founders. We are uniting the tech community to explore the next steps in fostering sustained growth and success for Black entrepreneurs. In an era marked by geopolitical uncertainties and rapid technological advancements, the Summit will address the strategies necessary to navigate and thrive in a constantly evolving global environment.

The Summit aims to amplify Black excellence and chart a new course of empowerment and progress within the Black community and beyond by bringing together a diverse group of thought leaders, innovators, and allies. This impactful event will include a Black Innovation Breakfast, roundtable discussions and the Black Innovation Pitch Competition, where 10 Black tech founders will pitch their businesses to secure funding. 

In our efforts to support the future of Black innovators, our Steering Committee members, composed of leaders, executives and corporate partners, are brought together to ensure the Summit reflects the diversity of entrepreneurs within Canada’s tech landscape. Our aim is to reduce bias and create an environment that supports and promotes inclusivity.

We’re spotlighting the dedicated individuals behind the Committee to recognize them for their efforts as the trailblazers that they are.

Brooke Graham

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Manager, ​​LifeLabs

A visionary EDI strategist and facilitator, Brooke Graham brings transformative leadership to LifeLabs, a nationwide organization with over 6,500 employees. With a wealth of experience spanning Indigenous communities to global financial firms, Brooke drives impactful change and fosters equity. Her collaborative and empathetic approach prioritizes authentic and accountable relationships, harnessing the power of community to deliver meaningful solutions.

Brooke’s leadership and dedication to driving change has fueled her commitment to initiatives that promote, encourage, and enable equity in innovation which leads her to be a valuable member of the Steering Committee to an event that celebrates the resilience and innovation of Black entrepreneurs.

 


Efosa Obano

Founder & Manager, Black Founders Network

Efosa Obano founded and manages the Black Founders Network, supporting Black entrepreneurs with capital, community, and capacity building. He also leads the African Impact Initiative, investing in early African innovators. With extensive experience in leveraging technology to create social impact, investing with impact, and building early-stage ventures, Efosa has been recognized by the UN and received the Ontario Minister’s Award of Excellence for his contributions.

Efosa holds a strategic management degree from the University of Toronto, where he was honoured with the Young Alumni Award for Outstanding Achievement. Efosa’s experience in supporting Black entrepreneurs positions him as a powerful advocate and voice for the Black entrepreneurial community.

 

Iran Karimian

Head of Accelerator and Startup Ecosystem, Google Canada

With over a decade of experience, Iran Karimian is a dynamic leader who heads the Accelerator and Startup Ecosystem at Google Canada. She has successfully collaborated with some of Canada’s largest brands, including Google, YouTube, Kraft Heinz, and the Royal Bank of Canada. Today, Iran spearheads startup and developer ecosystem efforts at Google Canada, where she leverages Google’s people, programs, products, and technology to empower startup teams nationwide. Iran’s passion for fostering innovation and supporting initiatives that drive equity and growth are what make her an incredible asset to the committee. 

With the theme of this year’s Summit being “Navigating Next”, how do you envision the role of Black entrepreneurs evolving in the tech industry over the next decade, and how do you see the Summit playing a role in supporting this vision?

“With the growth and empowerment of black entrepreneurs, we’ll see an increase in diverse leadership, with Black entrepreneurs holding key leadership positions across the tech landscape, shaping the industry’s direction and priorities. We’ll see strong economic empowerment, with successful Black-owned tech ventures creating jobs, generating wealth, and uplifting communities, contributing significantly to economic growth.” 

 

Lise Birikundavyi

Co-Founder / Managing Partner, BKR Capital

Lise Birikundavyi is the managing partner at BKR Capital, incidentally becoming the first black woman in Canada to manage an institutionally-backed VC fund. Lise is an innovative finance specialist who has worked with several international institutions and acts as guest lecturer for prestigious organizations, including Oxford University, the International Olympic Committee Accelerator managed by the Yunus Sports Hub and the Canadian Private Capital Investment School at Ivey. Lise also mentors and supports highly promising and impactful start-ups in emerging markets. Lise’s groundbreaking achievements uniquely positions her to provide invaluable insights and leadership, making her an ideal fit for the Committee of the Black Innovation Summit.

 

Michael Younder

Senior Manager, Partnerships and Innovation, Scotiabank

Michael Younder is a technology enthusiast specializing in partnerships and product development. At Scotiabank’s Digital Factory, he focuses on enhancing the fintech ecosystem and supporting strategic initiatives across departments. With a strong background in relationship building and digital transformation, Michael collaborates with leading organizations to drive change. His passion for technology and innovation makes him a valuable contributor to the Black Innovation Summit’s Steering Committee. 

 

Mohammed Muraj

Counsel, Torys LLP

With an extensive background in technology and blockchain, Mohammed collaborates with startups, Fintechs, and other clients on significant transactions, helping them navigate the evolving governance and regulatory landscape. His strategic insights and hands-on approach are valuable in supporting the Black Innovation Summit in its mission to recognize and celebrate standout Black entrepreneurs who are driving innovation and change.

How can the tech community at large better support the inclusion and success of Black entrepreneurs beyond the Summit?

“Inclusion and access for underserved communities does not occur as a by-product but requires constant and well thought out long-term efforts. The tech community (like other communities) needs to continue to engage with underserved communities to identify obstacles faced by such communities and make resources available to them to overcome the systemic challenges and obstacles they face.”

 

Monique Miller

Purpose Programs Manager, Unilever

Monique is a versatile professional who thrives by leveraging interpersonal skills to drive collaborative change. Holding a Masters Degree from the London School of Economics, Monique has worked in North America, Africa and Europe with a focus on improving the human experience through partnerships in the domains of governance, public health, education, entrepreneurship and the private sector. An award winning educator, Monique is passionate about spreading knowledge, and ‘aha moments’. As the Purpose Programs Manager at Unilever, Monique supports the expansive impact of the Dove Self-Esteem Project in Canada and the ever growing network of Black female entrepreneurs through SheaMoisture’s Dreamfund. 

 

Tinashe Wingfield

Managing Director, Cadence Foresight Innovations

A strategic visionary with over 20 years of experience, Tinashe is a dynamic leader in crafting and implementing projects focused on strategy, systems design, and impact evaluation. She has garnered recognition for her pioneering work in designing transformative strategies, conducting impactful evaluations, and fostering organizational change. Born in Zimbabwe and raised in Burundi, Kenya, and Canada, Tinashe brings a global lens to all her work.

Today, Tinashe leverages her extensive experience to drive impactful initiatives that inspire change, inspiring her to join the Steering Committee for the Black Innovation Summit to continue supporting initiatives that promote, encourage, and enable equity in innovation.


The Black Innovation Summit was made possible thanks to our partners Scotiabank, Telus, Magna, Torquest, Unilever, Torys, Accenture, the Government of Ontario, the City of Toronto, BKR Capital, and The Peak.

 

Head to dmz.to/BIS to learn more about the Summit, and stay tuned to hear the results of the pitch competition.

DMZ welcomes Incubator Cohort 7 companies

Our latest cohort is composed of exceptional startups that stood out among hundreds of promising applicants from around the world.

Some highlights of this cohort: 

  • 10 startups representing diverse verticals: EdTech, Fintech, HRTech, Social Impact, and more
  • Over 50% of Cohort 7 are woman-founded
  • The majority of startups operate as B2B SaaS companies
  • Our startups’ home bases span across the U.K., U.S. and Canada

For the next 18 months, startup founders will benefit from extensive support as they scale their products, ramp up customer acquisition, explore global expansion, gain access to cutting-edge resources and much more. Startups also benefit from continuous guidance with access to a world-class network of mentors, industry leaders, professional services, investors and legal advisors.  

Keep reading to learn more about the visionary startups leading the future of tech.

 


Aravenda provides a cloud-based consignment software solution for small businesses or enterprise users. Aravenda seamlessly integrates with Shopify and Clover to simplify workflows, eliminate common system errors and streamline inventory management while expanding the reach of consignment businesses globally. 



Loba is innovating health and wellness by modernizing traditional pill and supplement management through technology and the psychology of building healthy habits. By connecting a Loba device to WiFi, users can easily manage their pill and supplement schedule, set reminders, add new medications, track habits, and more.


Omnia focuses on the digital optimization of business operations such as supply chain management and e-learning solutions. By assessing a company’s current tech utilization, Omnia designs a custom optimization strategy to enhance workflow management and streamline operations across various industries. This company ensures its implementations drive significant value and ongoing support by prioritizing the understanding of client needs.


Quantibly is an innovative impact analytics platform revolutionizing data-driven decision-making in the social sector. With advanced AI and automation tools for data collection, analysis, and visualization, Quantibly empowers organizations in 82 countries to gain actionable insights into their financial and non-financial impacts.



Rescounts is an innovative, cost-effective platform that offers all-in-one event management services. The platform helps customers connect with various events in their area, and purchase tickets from anywhere. Rescounts also helps users keep track of their purchased event tickets and maintain a schedule of their upcoming events.  



SmartConcil is a platform that simplifies financial decisions based on Reconciliation automation. It proves security and real-time traceability over financial data, allowing finance teams to focus on what really matters.



Snoooz AI is an AI-powered Out-of-Office (OOO) assistant that can send personalized OOO responses, automate OOO tasks, route messages to backups and create coverage plans. This comprehensive tool simplifies your OOO management, handling everything efficiently.

 

Soundspace connects people with creative workspaces through a network of membership-based music networking, rehearsal, producing, and recording facilities. Memberships to Soundspace locations are available monthly, and artists book their time on their chosen location’s communal calendar. 


SuperCode is an app where kids learn to code by creating and playing interactive worlds together in live online events. Their focus is on exposing kids to key coding and problem-solving concepts in a way that is deeply fun and engaging motivating them to dig deeper and start to develop confidence in their skills.

 

Talin is the definitive automation solution for the staffing industry, integrating every essential application with scalable generative A.I. technology. The startup’s technology executes the most tedious staffing and recruiting workflows in minutes, acting as a co-pilot for placing candidates and signing new clients, all from a single platform.

 

Get to know more about our Fall ‘25 cohort of startups by visiting DMZ’s Current Startups page. Are you an early-stage tech founder interested in growing your business? Discover how DMZ’s Incubator can help here. 

Introducing DMZ’s 14 new Experts-in-Residence

In the heart of every startup’s journey at DMZ lies a secret weapon: our Experts-in-Residence (EiRs).

EiRs are more than just advisors; they act as an extension to our startup teams, working shoulder-to-shoulder with our founders to guide them through the intricacies of scaling their businesses. As experts in their field, they are each handpicked for their comprehensive knowledge and extensive business backgrounds.

We’re thrilled to announce the addition of 14 new EiRs to our esteemed roster. Each brings with them deep industry insights and a rich entrepreneurial background, further enriching our ecosystem and enhancing the support available to our startups.


Meet DMZ’s newest EiRs:

Check out the full roster of DMZ EiRs here.

Introducing Mentors

Recognizing that our EiRs provide essential strategic and long-term advice, we’ve seen the need for additional hands-on, tactical guidance to address the multifaceted needs of our startups.

This led us to introduce Mentors, volunteer-based positions, aimed at filling the gaps in our advisory services with their practical, “how-to” expertise, thereby ensuring a broader and more dynamic support system for our founders. 

This addition not only enriches our advisory capacity but also provides a flexible pathway for engaging with a diverse array of industry experts eager to guide founders.


Meet DMZ’s newest Mentors:


Levelling up through leadership

As we evolve our mentorship program, we’re also evolving our leadership structure to further this vision. Alex Thibault has excitingly stepped into the position of Chief EiR, steering our strategic direction in mentorship and founder support.

“We need more tech companies that will grow and become the titans of tomorrow. I want to help entrepreneurs as they try to become those titans.”- Alex Thibault, Chief EiR


Alex brings a wealth of experience in tech, capital markets, mobility, and more, offering crucial insights and expertise in M&A, operations, and finance. His success as a tech entrepreneur and investor, with ventures in fast-growing tech companies, supports DMZ’s mission to build the next generation of leading tech startups.
In the Chief EiR role, Alex will focus on enhancing our advisory strategy, nurturing the growth of our EiRs and Mentors, and fostering a culture of collaboration among advisors to increase our impact.

With these new additions and enhancements to our support network, we’re excited about the potential our revamped startup advisory framework holds in providing unparalleled support to our startups. 

Ready to scale your startup at DMZ and connect with our industry-leading experts? Apply for our Incubator today.

 

Paving a new era for startup legal support: DMZ’s IP Clinic unveiled

Coming from a tech startup incubator, we get it — the entrepreneurial journey is a rollercoaster ride, and legal potholes can be deal-breakers. That’s why DMZ’s Startup Legal Support (SLS) team and Toronto Metropolitan University’s Lincoln Alexander School of Law have worked together to launch a new Intellectual Property (IP) Clinic, a game-changer in the dynamic world of startup legal support.

As a company grows, so do the legal challenges.

Despite the fact that 70% of businesses earn enough revenue to surpass eligibility for free legal aid, most still grapple with affording the substantial costs of hiring a lawyer. DMZ emerges as a pivotal solution for these startups, acting as their legal compass. In doing so, DMZ not only helps startups maintain their competitiveness but also contributes to making legal services more accessible.

Through the generous support of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Lincoln Alexander School of Law and DMZ have collaborated to introduce the IP Clinic, a new initiative aimed at providing startups supported by Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) with comprehensive legal services. Nicholas Hill, Head of Startup Legal Support and Legal Advisor, spearheads these services with the support of three TMU law students, Ikra Saeed, Isabella Spiliakos and Shany Raitsin, who work under his supervision.

Intellectual Property isn’t a luxury, but a strategic necessity for startups.

As a strong proponent of the DMZ’s IP Clinic, Dr. Sari Graben, Associate Dean Research and Graduate Studies, notes that the Clinic plays a vital role in advancing the competitiveness of Canada’s startup ecosystem. “Our grant and innovative idea to launch IP legal services for startups aligns seamlessly with Lincoln Alexander Law’s vision to enable lawyers to tackle novel challenges in an increasingly innovation-based economy.”

The IP Clinic will enhance the accessibility of legal resources and knowledge to over 500 entrepreneurs within Toronto Metropolitan University’s Zone Learning Network. To date, the Clinic has been instrumental in servicing over 70+ startups, producing over 200 deliverables. “This IP Clinic marks a crucial step forward in our mission to empower startups with the legal knowledge they need to thrive,” says Nicholas Hill. “We’re excited about the positive impact this will have on our entrepreneurial community.”

As DMZ’s SLS opens up this new avenue of legal support, we have seen just how coveted IP services really are. Moreover, the IP Clinic’s value doesn’t just stop at startups.

We’re exposing law students to real-life case studies.

Beyond providing startups with essential legal assistance, we’re helping students navigate the legal ins and outs of the startup world. These students don’t stand on the sidelines, they’re gaining first-hand exposure to complex legal documentation and practical experience from Intellectual Property assignments to brand protection.

To sum it up, introducing IP legal services like those provided by DMZ sparks groundbreaking transformation, propelling the overall growth and success of these innovative ventures, and elevating their competitiveness to compete on the world stage. The collaboration of legal experts, aspiring law professionals and startups creates a recipe for entrepreneurial success in Canada’s startup ecosystem.

To learn more about DMZ’s legal support for startups, visit dmz.to/SLS.

Year in Review: DMZ Wrapped 2023

The stats are in! Let’s take a look at our feats this past year.

This year truly soared to unprecedented heights, from supporting more than a hundred dynamic startups here at our HQ to helping international founders making groundbreaking strides in innovation and global expansion.

Raise a glass with us as we toast to the incredible accomplishments and milestones that defined our community’s success in 2023.


We’ve always been at the forefront of supporting startups, and this year was no exception. Throughout 2023, we proudly supported an array of startups spanning diverse industries. From PropTech, Automation SaaS, Supply Chain and Logistics to FinTech and Cybersecurity, we’ve had the privilege of nurturing the growth of businesses driving impact across many unique verticals.


Among many exciting announcements in 2023, we were proud to become UBI Global’s official research and selection partner this year and revealed the top-ranking incubators and accelerators worldwide on stage at the World Incubation Summit in Belgium.

Our year in review wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Collision 2023. Marking the start of Collision week, DMZ’s Insiders Event showcased top startup pitches and awarded $65,000 in funding to the winning founders.


The event included an esteemed audience of industry leaders and saw David Walmsley, Globe and Mail’s Editor-in-Chief, deliver a memorable keynote speech.

If you’ve been keeping up with us this year, you’ll know that DMZ marked 2023 as the year of the camel startup. DMZ’s prominent presence at Collision featured a 7-foot camel, a stage with partner and founder panels, global showcases, a “Shark Tank” style pitch competition and more, and prize giveaways over the three-day conference.


Our commitment to empowering international startups reached new horizons through global partnerships, such as DMZ’s collaboration with the Japan External Trade Organization’s (JETRO) Global Acceleration Hub, marking a significant milestone as its first Canadian partner.


This year fueled collaborations with both existing and new partners that packed a heavy punch for the startup innovation landscape. 2023 saw us join forces with 25 new partners and continue great work with existing partners, including Amex Canada, Scotiabank, Desjardins, and Groundbreak Ventures.


With over 860 student entrepreneurs supported and a whopping 1,294 individuals attending Masterclasses, we’ve unlocked a new level of potential for the next generation of tech pioneers.


Embracing diversity in our programs has always been a cornerstone of our efforts, and this year we’re proud to share that 20% of our Incubator companies were founded by Black entrepreneurs and 24% by women.


Hot off the press! DMZ and our startups were talked about… a lot.
Our startups shone brightly, garnering an astounding 35,400 media impressions over the year!


There was never a dull moment at DMZ’s bustling entrepreneurial hub. With 7,000+ visitors over the year, our team hosted 123 groups for tours and 127 events at our HQ in Toronto.

Coffees were flowing year-round, with 8,685 cups served this year, igniting our creative sparks while our startups and staff worked hard. But that’s not to say we didn’t also play hard – 1,926 ping pong matches were held in our games room.

Our staff also embarked on our own entrepreneurial endeavours this year, 3D printing a total of 1,129 camel structures.

What a year! 2023 was an opportunity for DMZ to recalibrate – to hone in on evolving our programs and operations – and we’ve made significant progress in this direction. Now, on the brink of our 14th birthday this upcoming year, there’s a whole lot more to look forward to. Stay tuned for another promising year ahead.

Want to play a role in contributing to DMZ’s 2024 stats and milestones? Discover DMZ and our programming here. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to get the latest tech news, updates, and special offers.

Introducing DMZ’s new cohort of Incubator startups

Out of hundreds of applications from around the world, we’ve hand-selected 13 tech startups to join us for the next 18 months.

Some highlights of this cohort include:

  • Representation from diverse verticals: FinTech, EnterpriseTech, GovTech, Smart Automation and more
  • More than 30% of companies are women-founded and over 30% Black-founded
  • AI-enabled technology comprises over half of this cohort
  • Startups from Peru, Nigeria, Iran, India, the United Kingdom, Italy and Canada
  • A new selection process called Deep Dive sessions – where subject-matter experts undergo rigorous assessments with startup founders to evaluate each company’s focal areas, ensuring top-tier selection.

Throughout the program, startups will receive comprehensive support to execute their go-to-market strategy, acquire lighthouse customers, gain media exposure, explore global expansion, prepare for the next round of funding and much more. DMZ will be with them every step of the way, giving them hands-on coaching, access to our world-class community, professional services, business savings and more.  

Just when we thought we had seen the best of the best, our newest cohort has seriously raised the bar, leaving us in awe of their track records and potential. 

Keep reading and join us in extending a big DMZ welcome to Cohort 6!

Cleanster logo
On a mission to make quality cleaning services more accessible, Cleanster connects property managers and homeowners with professional cleaners. Their solution matches users with locally vetted service providers to clean their spaces at an affordable price and integrates with leading property management software for users to manage their property care operations.

Flowjin logo
Flowjin is an AI-powered tool that empowers content creators and businesses with the tools to drive social media growth. With Flowjin, users can easily identify high-performing content and quickly create customizable clips for social media, ensuring users maximize content and save time.

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Handy.ai is an intelligent SaaS platform that provides AI-powered virtual specialists to drive customer and employee success. Offering tailored solutions to clients, Handy.ai can be leveraged for customer success, employee engagement and partner success.

Hilo logo
HILO is at the forefront of revolutionizing Customer Experience (CX) in buildings with a one-stop, user-configured, personalized, and AI-enabled platform to improve and simplify people’s lives where they work and live. HILO empowers building operators to retain current tenants, attract new ones and streamline operations.

Loopify logo
Loopify360 is an all-in-one marketing and sales hub for small and medium-sized enterprises, offering a range of solutions and tools designed to find and retain customers. Their AI-powered marketing platform provides tailored solutions, delivering optimal return on investment.

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PoliTraQ combines stakeholder profiles, meeting notes and briefing materials into a single, all-in-one advocacy management system. Their solution helps public affairs professionals implement and manage advocacy campaigns, monitor legislation and track advocacy impact.

ReInvest Wealth logo
ReInvestWealth offers a cost-effective solution for small business accounting needs. Their professionally trained AI accountant provides daily bookkeeping and expert financial advice, addressing common pain points like slow processing and overlooked tax refunds. 

ShipVista logo
ShipVista streamlines multi-channel order management and fulfillment for online retailers. By offering real-time carrier rates, automated label printing, and integration with multiple carriers, it saves time and money while enhancing sales.

Sugar security logo
Sugar Security makes advanced cybersecurity testing easy and affordable for small to mid-sized businesses. Through their cloud-based software, Sugar Security empowers businesses to identify security vulnerabilities in their organizations through enhanced vulnerability scanning.

Syzl logo
Syzl is revolutionizing the food industry by transforming idle commercial kitchens into bustling hubs for culinary entrepreneurs. Their platform enables food makers to find compliant, safe and flexible workspaces and empowers kitchen owners to leverage unused stations to earn extra revenue.

Vidboard.ai logo
VidBoard simplifies video production by creating AI-enabled avatar models. Their platform offers a cost-effective and scalable solution, eliminating the need for studio visits, multiple professionals, equipment and third-party costs.

Zagitas logo
Zagitas serves as a digital assistant in the office. Their solution automates manual business processes through the integration of AI, robotic process automation, chatbots and business intelligence technologies.


Want to join the next cohort of changemakers? DMZ is now accepting applications for its March 2024 cohort. Apply here. 

 

 

 

Hear from Roadmunk’s Co-Founder & CEO, Latif Nanji, on his rollercoaster ride from emergence to exit

Latif Nanji, Co-Founder and CEO of SaaS platform Roadmunk, connects the dots of his entrepreneurial journey at the DMZ’s Founder Dinner, uncovering his rollercoaster ride from emergence to exit.

Founded in 2012, Roadmunk is product management software that solves how product innovators build and communicate their strategy. Roadmunk has an impressive track record, from being listed as one of Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50 and their acquisition by Tempo in 2021 to serving over 3,000+ customers, including Amazon, Visa, Nike, Adobe and Morgan Stanley, to name a few.

Latif’s history is also not one to miss. Before Roadmunk, he co-founded several companies, including Pokerspace, an online social network for poker players, and Pragmatic CEO, a Toronto meet-up group for tech entrepreneurs. He also spent five years as a Product Manager at Miovision, working on intelligent traffic infrastructure, where he developed his passion for helping product managers build the right things for customers. Latif enjoys biohacking, rock climbing, scuba diving and angel investing in his spare time.

Looking for inspiration to build the next big thing? Check out Latif’s insights on his rollercoaster ride from emergence to exit from our latest DMZ Founder Dinner – an event series designed to bring DMZ’s community together for an evening of food, drinks and connections. ​​Watch Latif’s full founder talk below, or keep reading, to discover his top tips for being a successful entrepreneur and building an acquirable business.  

Go team!

“One of the early things I instantiated in the business was a core value called ‘Start with empathy.’ It was a family-like core value, and I thought it was a great idea.

Eventually, I realized that the mentality I had was one of protectionism — a high empathy and high loyalty culture. There’s nothing wrong with these values, but as an investor, I want to know if you are going to make the hard decisions.

Sometimes the teams need to change their structure or formation, just like they do in a sports team, to get to the outcome. If you want to level up through the divisions in soccer, you are going to different players as you progress. It’s not that you can’t thank the players before, but the new ones have to come in.”

The secret to reliable hiring: homework

“There were a few key things we did to fix our ongoing issue of short-lived new hires:

  • Anyone who walked through our doors looking to be hired was assigned homework on neutral ground that had nothing to do with our company or product.
  • This homework was assigned in an open-ended exercise that allowed us to have a dialogue and observe how responsive a potential hire is, how they write emails and how they ask questions.
  • We invited team members from other departments to sit in on meetings and presentations to get a chance to spar with candidates and provide feedback. This was the single most important thing we did when hiring in the early stages of the business.“ 

Students don’t interview the teacher

“We had to hire a software architect in 2020. I interviewed him, and I thought he was great, but I didn’t think he was that impressive from a cultural perspective.

I had my two top senior engineers interview him, and they came back to me and said, ‘We don’t think he’s the right fit.’

My COO walks in, and he asks us what we were doing. I said, ‘We’re interviewing.’ He said, ‘No, you’re not; students don’t interview the teacher.’

It was a simple concept, but it felt like a hammer hitting me in the head. So, we brought in the VP of Platform at Ritual and two external CTOs, who gave him a test on how to scale Google Drive. They came back with a report and said, ‘If you don’t hire him, we will.’ 

This was a great lesson in making sure not just other people that feel like they’re more senior, but people that have experience in the domain that understand your business and your business needs, are part of that process.” 

The key to winning the valuation game is pacing

“The problem isn’t with raising a little bit more money; it’s when you get further down the valuation trap.

If you raise five, six, seven million bucks when you only need  $1m, your post-money is maybe between $30 to $35 million instead of $5-10m. That means in the next 24 to 36 months or less, you’re going to grow >$30 million in valuation. That’s where things get really complicated. Going incrementally at a reasonable pace is how I think the best startups function before they see some version of a breakout growth path.”

Hear from Roadmunk’s Co-Founder & CEO, Latif Nanji, on his rollercoaster ride from emergence to exit

Want a front-row seat at the next DMZ Founder Dinner to hear from other inspiring founders? Apply now to join our next Incubator cohort at dmz.to/incubator.

 

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4 ways you can take your website copy from good to great

DMZ guest blog by: Karina Barker, DMZ EiR


As one of the DMZ’s tactical EiRs, I get the incredible job of working with founders to help them amp up their copywriting. Not only do I offer strategic advice around brand positioning, voice, content, etc., I also get to roll up my sleeves and do the writing alongside the founders.

Over my time in this capacity, I’ve noticed several common questions emerge as startups work to articulate their value proposition. While their vision might be clear in their minds, crafting website copy that has customers sitting up and taking action can be more of a challenge.

With more than 16 years under my belt as a copywriter and communications specialist, I’ve written for every kind of organization, from government, to startups, to Fortune 500 companies. I’ve seen firsthand how small mistakes can limit your copy’s impact—and how some simple tweaks can make all the difference. Seriously!

Here are 4 tips you can use to take your website from good to great:

 

1. Nail your homepage headline and sub-headline

According to the Nielsen-Norman Group, users leave websites on average after about 10-20 seconds. That means you’ve got less than 10 seconds to make your value proposition clear and convince visitors to stay. 

Your homepage headline and sub-headline are the first things visitors will see when they land on your page. That means these are your best shot to convince a visitor to stay (and hopefully convert). 

One of the most common mistakes I see companies make is focusing their website on them. 

A common format you’ll see is: We offer [this service] by doing [this thing]. Or, similarly: At [company], we help [this type of person] do [this thing].

But the goal of your website isn’t to share information about you. The goal of your website is to attract and convert customers. And that means you need to turn the spotlight on your customer —and talk about them.

Take a look at this homepage headline from Wealthsimple. 


Image: Wealthsimple

They don’t say “We help you do money right.” 

Instead the headline is direct and it implies “I’m going to do money right (with Wealthsimple’s help).” That subtle shift makes the reader see themselves in the headline.

The subheading then goes on to clearly articulate the actual “thing” that Wealthsimple offers (“powerful financial tools”) and the action-packed benefits that the customer can expect to derive (“grow and manage your money”).

While Wealthsimple makes it look easy, this kind of copy can take time and work (not to mention testing). If you don’t know where to start, a great first step is “voice of customer” research. Interview your customers, survey your product testers, read your online for views and search for the words your target audience uses to talk about benefits. This gives you a foundation to begin crafting and testing your headlines.

 

2. Don’t underestimate the power of social proof

Social proof is a powerful form of persuasion. When you include social proof in your webcopy, you tap into one of humanity’s deepest desires: to belong. 

We all put a lot of value on what we see people we trust doing and supporting. When we’re trying to decide between all the different options out there, we look to see what other people are doing. In fact, 91% of consumers read reviews before making a purchasing decision.  

If you’ve ever wondered why brands are willing to pay influencers big bucks for endorsements, this is it.

Here are some ideas for how to include social proof for businesses, even if you’re just getting started:

  • List any awards or prizes that your business has received
  • Share press/media/interviews covering your company
  • Run a social media campaign (and offer incentives) to encourage users to rate or review your product 
  • Request reviews or testimonials from existing customers
  • Create case studies based on real-life clients—or if you haven’t worked with any clients yet, craft use case studies that use a character that customers will identify with. (Note: always be clear if a study is based on a hypothetical rather than real world client.)
  • Share logos of high-profile clients that you’ve worked with
  • Share the number of users you’ve reached or clients you’ve served

Certain types of social proof will be worth more to certain audiences. Think about what can do to move the needle the most, and work towards collecting and presenting that type of social proof.

 

3. Keep your calls-to-action consistent

A call-to-action (CTA) is the moment when all of the work you’ve put into the rest of your copy gets put to the test. The CTA is where you encourage visitors to take your desired action. 

In order to craft a successful CTA you need to: 

  • Know what you want a visitor to do. Sign up for a free trial? Subscribe to your newsletter? Book a call with your sales team? 
  • Make it stand out. Pick the right spot, colour, visuals to draw visitor’s eyes to your CTA.
  • Be direct. CTAs are usually imperatives that begin with an action word. “Sign Up Now,” “Learn More,” “Start Your Free Trial.” Your CTA is not the place to get too wordy. 
  • Offer incentives. Make it easy for visitors to say yes by adding a line or two below your CTA: reassure visitors (e.g. cancel any time) or offer a desirable incentive (e.g. 10% of your first order)
  • Create urgency. Make visitors take action while they’re on your site. Use time words (e.g. sign up now, grab your instant download) to create a sense of urgency or signal time constraints (e.g. limited time offer)

But one of the most common mistakes I see is a lack of consistency in your CTA copy. If you want visitors to follow through, your CTA must be crystal clear–and repeated over and over. 

You can’t possibly miss Hubspot’s CTA. Not only is it in bright orange, it’s repeated word-for-word in their header and navigation bar. Even though their CTA is a little on the longer side, you know exactly what you’re supposed to do next (“Start free or get a demo”):


Image: Hubspot

In essence, when crafting your CTA, ask: What should the user do, and why? Your CTA should work in tandem with the rest of your webcopy to drive that message home. Inconsistent messaging (or multiple, competing CTAs in close proximity) can confuse your target audience or, worse, make them lose trust in your business. 


4. Boost interest with a unique brand voice

Once you’ve nailed the technical copywriting pieces, you can take your website (and your brand) to the next level by honing your brand voice. 

While it can seem daunting, developing your brand voice doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some tips to get you started:

  • Reflect your audience. Go back to customer profiles and reflect on the voice used by your ideal clients. Is your target audience young and sassy or mature and sophisticated? 
  • Name three characteristics of your ideal brand voice. Authoritative? Trustworthy? Quirky? Cool? Passionate? Informative? Pick three attributes that capture the essence of your business. 
  • Define the dos and don’ts of your brand voice. Once you have your three characteristics, you can get more detailed on how this translates to your copy. For example, if you pick “trustworthy” as one of your attributes, your dos and don’ts may include: 
    • Do: use honesty, direct language, be transparent, share mistakes, follow-through
    • Don’t: push the hard sell, use jargon, over promise, trash talk competitors

As you grow, you can build out your brand voice into a document to share with anyone who is handling communications for your business. And remember, as you grow and change, your brand voice may develop too. 

If you need help with your copywriting, I’d love to chat! Learn more about how DMZ’s EiRs can support your business here. 

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