PLATO Testing has received the top prize at an annual Indigenous pitch competition hosted by Lockheed Martin Canada and New Brunswick’s Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI).
Based in Fredericton, PLATO Testing develops and leverages a network of approximately 70 Indigenous software testers across Canada. It provides outsourced testing solutions to clients throughout North America, with a focus on projects that would have previously been sent offshore. The company received $5,000 through the competition.
“We were so happy when we heard our names called as the winners of this year’s competition and we want to thank everyone who made the event possible including Lockheed Martin Canada for their warm hospitality,” said Chelsea Griffith and Jenilee Paul of PLATO Testing. “Winning this competition is a real testament to what PLATO Testing has already achieved in less than three years and will help raise the profile of our Indigenous-led software testing firm as we seek to scale up from 60 to 1,000 employees in five years. Most of all, the JEDI Business Accelerator was a once in a lifetime experience allowing us to not only learn from our mentors, but also network with other Indigenous entrepreneurs and business leaders bringing new ideas to so many different sectors.”
The competition was the culmination of a Business Accelerator program led by JEDI, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering economic and workforce development for Indigenous people in New Brunswick.
“Coming to the nation’s capital and holding our annual pitch competition in the Lockheed Martin Impact Centre are experiences this year’s JEDI Business Accelerator cohort will never forget,” said Lynn Poole-Hughes, Chief Executive Officer of the Joint Economic Development Initiative. “Today we witnessed a diverse range of creative, innovative and thought-provoking business pitches and I am confident that each of the entrepreneurs have what it takes to be successful in
today’s competitive business environment. I also would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all of our partners, the Government of Canada, Government of New Brunswick, BMO and Lockheed Martin Canada for their dedication to helping Indigenous in New Brunswick realize their full potential.”