April 5, 2023: How Investors Make Investment Decisions

What is Drop?

Drop is a mobile rewards platform that connects to the member using debit or credit cards for instant points. We in turn anonymize that data and package it up as predictive insights.

What was the insight/inspiration that led you to launch it?

Consumers are hungry for value, and they want their spending to work harder for them. Drop provides them with the opportunity to earn their credit card rewards, plus additional points on our platform.

Those gift cards earned through Drop are part of a journey to financial empowerment for our members - and I feel really good about being involved in that.

How has it been received by the market? Why do you think it has been so well received?

We have over 5 million members across Canada and the US, and we are connected to over 100M cards. We have the right technology and platform to maximize our member's ability to earn at brands like Sam's Club, Walmart, Overstock, Uber, and more. It's just seamless.

What has been the hardest thing on your journey so far?

It has been a wild few years in tech, and certainly, it has been challenging to manage a company and the trajectory of the market. In all of my career, I do think the last 3 years have been the toughest to navigate.

What has been the most pleasant surprise?

People are resilient.

Working through the ups and downs of the last year, the best thing to see is the human spirit emerge with a level of resiliency that feels unprecedented. I am grateful to be surrounded by good humans.

What is your super strength?

I can connect ideas to execution through creative solutions and processes at an incredible speed. Not exactly what you want in a Marvel character, but operationally this can become a competitive advantage.

Who is the unsung hero on the team? Why?

I can think of a lot - we have some 10x engineers that make dreaming and building a total breeze. Our Customer Support team is full of people that work extra hard to make the member experience fabulous... and the sales team has an incredible knack for finding the merchants our members are clamoring for...

What are you trying to achieve over the next 12 months?

Market domination... we want to have the best card-linked offers in the market for our members, and our partners.

What is your proudest accomplishment outside of your job?

I mentor a group of young women who work in STEM, and they are fierce, smart, and full of hope. These conversations make me worry less about our future.

Who are the Canadian startups you like?

I am a big fan of many CEOs/Founders and their companies - to name a few:

• Sampler - the ultimate product experience platform

• SkyWatch - making commercial satellite imagery accessible

• Jiffy - home maintenance booked when you need it

• Eirene - arrangement services led with compassion

Learn more about Amber and her journey here

Amber will be taking the stage at our upcoming RetailTO Event on May 24!

Learn more and register for the event while tickets last!

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Become an Insider today and gain access to exclusive networking events like our upcoming Insider Social on April 13. 

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Quick Takes returns this week on April 6

Quick Takes returns LIVE with a brand new episode tomorrow April 6 at 12:00 pm ET/9:00 am PT across the TechTO platforms.

Catch up on past episodes here, and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Need meeting or event space for a few hours? A day? A week or more? We can help.

Introducing StartWell - the happiest place to bring your people together in downtown Toronto.

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We’re sure you and your guests will enjoy StartWell’s premium boutique hotel-style experience from the moment they step into our buildings on King Street West.  With a complimentary espresso bar at reception, our friendly baristas will welcome and orient your guests whilst preparing their favorite beverages.

Once in your booked suite, you’ll find everything you need to collaborate happier – including easy-to-use presentation materials, turn-key audio-visual technology, and video conferencing tools.  In addition to bookable space, our campus offers a wealth of call booths, lounge areas, and hot desks - so your guests can always leave the room to stretch their legs, take private calls or enjoy a barista-crafted coffee from our complimentary reception cafe.

Unique in Toronto, StartWell’s boutique meeting space campus occupies three buildings and includes an in-house and full-service media production company - with studio spaces for producing hybrid event live streams as well as beautiful-looking and sounding video podcasts, software walkthrough videos, and high-end photography. 

We would love to have you over for a coffee and meeting - enjoy a massive 50% discount on your first booking at StartWell using our special discount code ‘TechTO’ when using our public calendar.

See you on campus soon!

**Book a campus tour here

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• #ICYMI - Catch up on past newsletters if you hadn't yet subscribed! 

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• Raise News: Sepura, a nearly five-year-old, Victoria, British Columbia-based startup that recently introduced an eponymous home appliance that sits under a sink in place of garbage disposals, has raised $3.7m in seed funding, led by sink-maker, Blanco >> READ MORE

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Lead Data Scientist, BlueDot (Ontario | Remote)

Why is this cool? BlueDot protects people around the world from infectious diseases using human and artificial intelligence. Their DaaS platform combines medical and public health expertise with advanced data analytics to track, contextualize, and mitigate infectious disease risks. As the Lead Data Scientist, you will lead the technical direction for data science and advanced data analytics across strategic projects and cross-functional teams, and much more! >> APPLY HERE

Software Developer (Mid-Level), Helcim (Calgary, AB)

Why is this cool? Helcim is a payments company that gives small and medium sized businesses a better way to accept debit and credit cards. Thousands of merchants across Canada and the US choose Helcim for their payment needs because of their customer service and innovative software solutions. Helcim is searching for an experienced Software Developer to be responsible for helping develop the next generation of payments technology >> APPLY HERE

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Check out the interesting content, events, and happenings for the community here:

• *EXCLUSIVE TECHTO INSIDERS SOCIAL: April 13, 2023 >> Learn more about how to attend on our website >> LEARN MORE

• TechTO Together RETURNS TO MONTREAL: April 25, 2023 >> Hear from the top leaders and innovators from the Montreal tech ecosystem. Ticket includes food and a drink! >> REGISTER HERE

• TechTO Together is back at OneEleven: May 1, 2023 >> The same TechTO networking, programming (and After Parties) you love >> EARLY BIRD TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE

Want to showcase your company, events, and opportunities to 60,000 subscribers across the Canadian Tech Eco-system? Reach out to [email protected] to learn more!