It’s no San Francisco or New York, but Vancouver’s tech community has produced some innovative companies that are shaping the digital space in profound ways. And there’s a good chance you’ve heard of none of them.
Well, fret no more – here’s a list of the most exciting local startups. Given the hierarchal nature of the list, it might seem as though we’re ranking these startups for best to not. We’re not – we’re merely highlighting just a few great ideas. There are plenty more where these came from.
Indochino
Originally conceived by University of Victoria students Heikal Gani and Kyle Vucko in 2006, the online men’s retailer has become a very popular destination for those looking to buy a suit without breaking the bank. The service offers a wide range of styles and each article of clothing is fully customizable for everyone’s unique body type and stylistic preferences. And their call centre is manned by a delightfully gruff Irishman who, somehow, makes Indochino that much more enjoyable.
Weddingful
When in doubt, go after the wedding crowd. Weddingful is Yelp for DIY wedding planners – a social wedding community where all local vendors – from hairdressers to limo drivers to wedding bands – are categorized and ranked based on user preferences. The site services all major Canadian and American cities and is a streamlined guide for what can be a complex and crazy event planning process.
Shnarped
Have you ever wanted to, like, fist-bump Daniel Sedin? Now you can…sort of. Shnarped is a social platform that “connects you to the pros,” allowing hockey fans to track player news, stats, tweets and highlights in a personalized feed right on their mobile device. But its key feature is the “pound,” an interactive service that lets fans send a virtual fist-bump to their favourite players. According to Scharped’s about page, over 80 NHL players use the service, which is exciting not just for obsessive hockey geeks but for geeks of other areas of interest (music, fashion, Stark Trek) if and when the technology is repurposed.
Picatic
This is by no means the first ticketing startup, but Picatic is the only ticketing company that lets organizers determine the ticket cost for their events. Theirs is a one-stop-shop for event planning: Build the event home page, customize your ticketing options (VIP, early bird, etc.) and manage all social marketing through Picatic’s platform. Best of all, organizers can crowdfund for their events as well. This may never take Ticketmaster down, but it’s a cost-effective alternative for smaller promoters.
Tangoo
Do you suck at planning dates? Do you after wander the Granville strip, confounded as to which bar’s best on Saturday night? Have visiting relatives learned to plan their own nights out? You’re not alone, and soTangoo – dubbed “Your Pocket Concierge” – was born. Featured on Dragon’s Den last year, the mobile platform helps users plan the perfect outing of restaurants and venues, tailored to everyone’s unique tastes. No longer will you flop on that first date (unless, of course, you’re a bore).
