Shahroze Rauf | News Editor
Featured Image: SenseTech Solutions Inc. first started at York, and will now benefit from $20,000 in technology and business services from Staples as well as mentorship from Club Monaco and Joe Fresh founder Joe Mimran. | Courtesy of Pixabay
SenseTech Solutions Inc., a local company that started at York, was announced as one of three entrepreneurial winners of the “This is How I Grow My Business” contest by Staples Canada.
The company has won $20,000 in technology and business services from Staples as well as mentorship from iconic Canadian designer and entrepreneur Joe Mimran, founder of Joe Fresh and Club Monaco.
The contest, held from May 27 to July 5 this year, got entrepreneurs to submit their five-year business goals. Contestants were also asked to describe how their company positively impacts the community at large.
SenseTech Solutions Inc. CEO Robert Ingino and Chief Design Officer (CDO) Ali Raza Syed say that their company started out as a project during their engineering program at York.
“In engineering you have to do this capstone project which is essentially just a final project with a group of people. As we developed our product, we realized our client was very happy with what was being provided, and even after we graduated our client was still asking for more. We formed a company based off of that,” says Syed.
According to Ingino, SenseTech Solutions focuses on providing services to people with disabilities through technology. Their products are given to charities who make use of SenseTech services to benefit their clientele.
“We have developed simulations in virtual reality worlds across projector VR, head-mount displays such as Oculus Rift or an HTC VIVE, and mobile VR. We have commissioned our product to clients in the visual impairment industry, and now we are looking to the wheelchair industry for mobility,” says Ingino.
With the resources they have won from the contest, they hope to invest further into new technology and products, as well as expand their organization’s clients.
“One of the biggest difficulties with a start-up is obtaining new clients. We believe that Staples will help us reach new customers that we normally couldn’t have by ourselves,” says Syed.
The announcement of the winners comes as a celebration of small businesses that Staples officially holds for the month of October. Alongside inviting guest speakers in Staples’ Spotlight Space, Staples will showcase local small businesses and give promotions to small business owners on Staples products.
“Entrepreneurs and small businesses help fuel our communities and we are committed to supporting their ever-evolving needs,” said Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Staples Canada David Boone in a media release on October 3.
According to the media release, Staples stores across Canada will host a Small Business Showcase at the end of the month where many new businesses and entrepreneurs will be invited to introduce and share their businesses.
“There are about 95,000 small to medium enterprises created each year across the country, though 85,000 businesses disappear within that same period. We want to help Canadian businesses get off the ground and succeed with the right tools, inspiring products and services, as well as knowledgeable staff at every location.”
