SASKATOON, SK (September 15, 2017) – Vendasta, the leading platform for selling digital solutions to local businesses, today announced that they have been selected as one of Canada’s ten most-promising technology companies to participate in the Lazaridis Scale-Up Program.
The Lazaridis Scale-Up Program, now in its second year, provides tech companies with personalized mentorship, connections, networking, knowledge, and the support they need to maximize their value in Canada while growing their companies on a global scale. There is a competitive selection process, and applications are reviewed by a panel of Canadian and American venture capitalist and ecosystem leaders. Short-listed candidates must then take part in a video interview before being chosen. Ultimately, two Saskatoon-based tech companies were among the chosen few—Vendasta and 7Shifts.
Vendasta joined the Lazaridis Scale-Up Program in order to sustain its rapid growth, which has already been recognized by PROFIT 500 and Deloitte’s FAST 50 and FAST 500 lists as some of the most remarkable growth for a tech company in North America multiple years in a row. Currently, there are over 1,100 resellers using the Vendasta platform to sell to 670,000 local businesses around the world.
Vendasta’s internationalization strategy has recently begun with expansion into Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Mexico. In early 2017, the Vendasta Marketplace—which allows agencies to provide new digital products and services at scale to local businesses—was launched, increasing the amount of solutions that Vendasta offers for resale and opening up new opportunities for international markets. In addition to offering more products and services, Vendasta has also hired a Senior Director of Revenue and Senior Manager of Partnerships to build business partnerships across Australia and Europe, as well as North America.
Jeff Tomlin, Vendasta’s CMO and co-founder, says, “Vendasta has experienced amazing growth over the past few years and has been recognized as one of Canada’s and North America’s fastest growing technology companies. Achieving that growth and reaching scale is by no means trivial! From the very beginning, we’ve looked to our customers for feedback and listened to and learned from those that have been there and done that. We’re so excited to be a part of the Lazaridis Scale-Up Program and to work with their network of global experts as we look to expand our reach.”
Through the Lazaridis Scale-Up Program, the CEO of each selected company—plus one other executive team member—will participate in five immersive weekends over the course of six months. The program prepares companies for securing their next round of funding.
About Vendasta
Vendasta is the #1 platform for agencies selling digital solutions to local businesses. By offering a Marketplace of resellable products and services and an automated marketing system, agencies are empowered to acquire, retain, and grow their client base. Over 1,100 resellers use the Vendasta platform to sell to 670,000 local businesses around the world. Vendasta has been named one of the 50 fastest growing technology companies in Canada and one of the top 500 fastest growing in North America by Deloitte the past two years in a row. Vendasta has also been listed on the Canadian Business Magazine’s Profit 500 for the second year running. For more information, visit https://www.vendasta.com.
About the Lazaridis Institute
The Lazaridis Institute is focused on a specific national challenge – the need for more globally competitive technology companies in Canada. The Institute helps Canadian technology companies reach their next level of growth through world-class support in the Scale-Up Program, through front-line training in the Tech Sales Apprenticeship initiative, and through a global network of business and technology experts who provide mentorship, connections, and valuable experience. The Institute conducts leading-edge research in innovation, management and disruption in the technology ecosystem. As part of the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University, the Institute is creating direct links between international research, best practices in global scaling, and curriculum to prepare the next generation of business leaders to face tomorrow’s challenges in the tech industry. www.lazaridisinstitute.ca
Media Contact Information:
Catriona Barcoe
Marketing Coordinator
+1 306 955 5512 ext. 153
cbarcoe@vendasta.com