This week, several Canadian startups have made announcements, launching new features, partnerships, and more. Here’s the latest on Canada’s movers and shakers.
US-based OnDeck partners with Lightspeed to give retailers and restaurants access to additional loans
US-based OnDeck, which provides small business lending, announced a partnership with Montreal-based Lightspeed, a cloud-based point-of-sale platform for retailers and restaurants.
The partnership will allow Lightspeed users to access OnDeck loans, providing them with additional capital to grow their businesses. OnDeck said it will provide Lightspeed’s users with up to $500,000 term loans and $100,000 lines of credit.
“We are very pleased to be partnering with Lightspeed, an innovative technology company that is enabling businesses to improve their customer experience on all channels,” said Gary Fearnall, the country manager at OnDeck Canada. “Since 2014, OnDeck Canada has been focused on providing the right operating capital solutions to allow for investments in critical initiatives such as technology and hiring, and this partnership will continue to strengthen our connection to the retail and hospitality industries.”
The additional capital that Lightspeed users receive from OnDeck will support growth opportunities such as buying inventory, purchasing equipment, and enhancing their customer experience.
“Lightspeed is laser-focused on improving the competitiveness of independent businesses across North America, and for us this partnership makes perfect sense,” said JP Chauvet, president of Lightspeed. “In part, it gives us the opportunity to help our clients access our omnichannel solution, which can help improve their customer experience exponentially.”
In February, OnDeck partnered with Toronto-based Wave to streamline and automate the lending process within Wave’s platform, which provides entrepreneurs with accounting, payroll, and invoice software to run their small businesses.
Eden’s on-demand lawn care and snow removal platform is now available on web
Toronto-based Eden, which allows people to book on-demand lawn care and snow removal services, announced that users can now book services on Eden’s website.
Before today, users could book lawn care or snow removal services exclusively through Eden’s mobile app, but now users can visit the company’s website and click “order now” to book a service on their laptops, iPads, and other devices.
Eden is currently used in seven cities including Toronto, Ottawa, and Boston, and has plans to serve 20 more cities in the coming months. The company allows users to book lawn care or snow removal service without having to sign up on contract. With the online platform, users can keep track of what is being done at their homes, as well as communicate and pay service providers if they are away from home.