360insights CEO says you don’t have to be in Toronto or Vancouver to grow a strong tech company

This week on The Disruptors, co-host Bruce Croxon sat down with Jason Atkins, the founder and CEO of 360insights, to discuss how his company has disrupted the corporate incentive industry in Canada.

During the interview, Atkins talked about how 360insights, a cloud-based incentives software platform, uses technology and analytics to help businesses gain insights on how their products are doing, as well as manage incentives programs like sales spiffs and rebates. “We’re now able to tell brands who bought what, for how much, and why,” said Atkins.

Atkins started 360insights in Whitby, Ontario, a town that is not generally highlighted among Canada’s innovative hubs like Waterloo, Toronto, and Vancouver. In his interview, Atkins — who has nearly 225 people on his team — spoke about how he has created a culture of innovation in Whitby through his company, suggesting that people don’t need to work in a major city to be a part of a strong company.

“We don’t have to be downtown. It’s [Whitby] a prime location to be able to connect both with the hub and around the world without having to pay the prices,” said Atkins.

Croxon said that Atkin makes a good point by building his company outside of the major tech hubs. It’s not just about the location, but also about the culture and people you are surrounded by. “This is a really valuable lesson for young entrepreneurs,” said Croxon. “Surround yourself with the right people and you can make anything work because it’s [360insights] is a killer company, but their culture is incredible. People do not leave this company once they start working there.”

Watch the whole interview below:

BetaKit is a production partner on The Disruptors. Tune in to BNN every Thursday night at 7pm for full episodes!

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Amira Zubairi

Amira Zubairi is a staff writer and content creator at BetaKit with a strong interest in Canadian startup, business, and legal tech news. In her free time, Amira indulges in baking desserts, working out, and watching legal shows.

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