Welcome to the July Edition of the Ottawa Business Success Snapshots!
This month, we’re celebrating innovation and impact across Ottawa’s thriving business community. From hydroponic vertical farms helping tackle food insecurity, to a family-run fitness studio expanding its mission for wellness, to defence innovation setting new global training standards, there’s no shortage of inspiration from the amazing companies operating in the Ottawa region.
Discover how Growcer is growing fresh food solutions right in our backyard, how JamFit Energy Studio is deepening its community impact with a new Kanata location, and how Babcock’s BITE platform is transforming operational readiness for the Canadian Armed Forces and beyond.
Whether you’re into tech, training, or total-body wellness, there’s inspiration to be found in the entrepreneurial journeys outlined below.
Hydroponic Vertical Farms in Our Own Backyard
If you’ve ever visited Bayview Yards or attended an event on site, you may have noticed a large, shipping container-like structure on the property.
Well, you’re right to be curious – because that’s no ordinary shipping container. It’s actually a hydroponic vertical farm, capable of growing up to 4,500 kilograms of fresh, locally grown leafy greens each year.
Introducing Growcer, an Ottawa-grown agtech company founded in 2015 by Corey Ellis and Alida Burke, whose mission began after witnessing firsthand the inaccessibility of fresh, healthy food in Nunavut.
Motivated by this experience, and with an entrepreneurial mindset, the pair set out to create a sustainable solution: hydroponic vertical farms that would make local, fresh produce accessible to everyone, regardless of location or climate.
So, how does it work?
Today, Growcer is a powerhouse social enterprise, focusing on commercial applications of hydroponic vertical farms with a mission to end food inequity across the country. Currently, 62 communities are implementing over 120 vertical farms, supported by Growcer’s team of more than 30 employees and partners.
Growcer’s approach begins with strategic collaboration and empowerment. The team works closely with their growers, starting with community consultations to understand local needs, climate concerns, space availability, and budget.
Once the right growing system is determined, the team supports training, delivery, installation, implementation, and continuous assistance throughout the farm’s lifetime.
Growcer and The Ottawa Mission: A Local Partnership
In late June, Growcer announced an exciting partnership with The Ottawa Mission during an event held at Bayview Yards.
This initiative, supported by RBC, the City of Ottawa / Ville d’Ottawa and the Ottawa Community Foundation, will help bring vertical farming to Ottawa to address food insecurity and the unprecedented need to help with rising food costs in our own backyard.
Growcer will help the Ottawa Mission to reduce operating costs, increase access to fresh food, and create a scalable model to fight food insecurity that can be replicated across the country.
It’s an exciting opportunity for Invest Ottawa as well. Adding to the current vertical farm at our innovation hub, Cours Bayview Yards, the two new Growcer vertical farms that will support this initiative will be hosted at our research and development site, Area X.O.
The Ottawa Mission is expected to receive its first crop by the end of the summer, with these farms expected to produce over 9,000 kilograms of leafy greens each year going forward.
Invest Ottawa is proud to champion Growcer’s journey through our IO Venture Path. We’re equally proud to back this latest initiative to create healthier, more resilient communities, right here at home.
- Learn more about this initiative here.
- Are you an Ottawa founder? Invest Ottawa’s Venture Path program can help support you on your growth journey. Find out more.
JamFit Energy Studio Expands Its Mission for Wellness and Community
JamFit Energy Studio is on the move – both literally and figuratively, as the family-focused fitness company expands into a second location in Kanata.
Joined by her three children Kayona, Kahleel and Christiano, Lisa Sharpe leads this Ottawa-based fitness studio, which has quickly become a haven for people seeking wellness, connection, and joy through movement.
“Our journey into the fitness world didn’t start with perfect routines or six-pack goals,” Lisa wrote. “It started with real-life challenges balancing work, raising a family, and trying to find time for ourselves.”
“We know firsthand how hard it can be to prioritize health when life gets busy, stressful, or overwhelming,” she added. “That’s exactly why we started this studio.”
Second Location Adds Fitness Firepower
With the addition of a second location at 1002 Beaverbrook Road in Kanata, what began as a single location dedicated to helping people of all ages and abilities feel stronger and more connected has now grown into two.
“Yes, we’re officially open!” Lisa shared, beaming with excitement. “We’re so excited to share that JamFit’s second location opened on June 28, and it’s been an amazing step forward for our team and our community.”
According to Lisa, this second location isn’t just about securing more of a footprint for the studio; it’s about deepening JamFit’s impact.
“The new space gives us room to grow some of our most loved programs,” Lisa explained, excited about the boosted offerings, including full-day summer camps for kids in both the Kanata and Manotick locations.
“We’ve introduced even more fun adult fitness classes from energizing group fitness classes like Step, Cardio Kickboxing, Warrior Bootcamps, and Soca and Sweat Cardio dance-inspired workouts, to strength training with a callisthenics twist – all designed to help people reconnect with movement in a way that feels enjoyable,” she added.
A standout part of the expansion, Lisa explained, is the launch of Kids Jamnastics in Kanata – a program already popular at their existing Manotick studio.
“It’s our signature children’s gymnastics and movement program focused on confidence, coordination, and fun,” she said. “It’s a safe, playful space for kids to explore movement while building strength and self-esteem.”
And the team hasn’t stopped there. JamFit continues to expand its adaptive and accessible programs to meet people where they are – offering everything from senior-friendly sessions to family fitness programs and subsidized classes for low-income families.
“For us, opening this second location isn’t just about having more space, it’s about deepening our impact and bringing more people into the JamFit family,” says Lisa.
Business Growth Boosted by Starter Company Plus
A seasoned professional in IT and data, and a single mother who’s balanced raising three children with starting a business, Lisa credits the Starter Company Plus program delivered by Invest Ottawa with helping lay the groundwork for JamFit’s growth.
“The workshops and mentorship provided practical tools for everything from marketing and financial planning to understanding customer needs and refining our business model,” she said. “Beyond the skills and knowledge, the program helped us build confidence in our ability to launch and grow JamFit.”
Looking ahead, Lisa sees even more possibilities on the horizon and is excited about how the company is growing to meet the needs of an even wider community.
“We’re preparing to launch workshops and adaptive fitness programs tailored specifically for adults and children with special needs,” she shares. “These programs are very close to our hearts, and we believe they will make a meaningful difference by providing inclusive, supportive spaces for everyone to move, grow, and thrive.”
The family is also partnering to help build a community farmers market at Beaverbrook Mall in Kanata, creating yet another avenue for community connection where people can gather to enjoy art, fresh local food, locally made products, and an opportunity to connect.
“Looking ahead, our goal is for JamFit to be a true community hub, a place where health, connection, and support come together for people of all ages and abilities,” Lisa says.
“We’re excited for what’s to come and can’t wait to share these new programs with our community.”
- Applications for the next Starter Company Plus cohort open in early August. Learn how this Ontario government entrepreneurship program, delivered by Invest Ottawa, with support from Logan Katz, can help you launch and grow your business. Sign up for the waitlist to get notified when applications open!
- To learn more about the fitness programs offered at both its Manotick and new Kanata location, including full-day summer camps for kids and more, visit their website at JamFit.ca.
Babcock Introduces BITE: Elevating Defence Innovation Through Immersive Training
This month, we’re excited to highlight Babcock’s latest innovation — the Babcock Immersive Training Experience, or BITE.
Officially debuted at Canada’s foremost defence, security, and emerging technology event CANSEC 2025, BITE showcases a new era in operational readiness for the Canadian Armed Forces and emergency services.
A bit about Babcock
With a longstanding global presence, Babcock provides critical support and engineering services across the defence, aerospace, and security sectors. The company’s Canadian operations have played a key role in delivering innovative solutions tailored to our national security priorities.
BITE demonstration at Warminster, Babcock Immersive Training Experience
As part of Babcock’s commitment to defence innovation, BITE introduces a hyper-realistic, technology-driven platform designed to help defence and emergency response personnel learn faster and train more effectively.
This groundbreaking system bridges the gap between classroom instruction and live operations by replicating complex, high-stress scenarios, including battlefront conditions with tailored soundscapes, seismic effects, climate variations, generated aromas, and dynamic visual stimuli.
The Ottawa connection
Following its successful CANSEC debut, Babcock has partnered with Invest Ottawa to bring BITE to Area X.O, the city’s leading R&D complex for advanced technologies. This collaboration highlights Ottawa’s role as a hub for defence innovation and underscores Babcock’s commitment to supporting Canadian and allied operational excellence.
Through its partnership with Area X.O, Babcock aims to demonstrate BITE to Canadian, NATO, and international defence organizations, further solidifying Ottawa’s reputation as a centre of technological leadership. The adaptable system can be customized for current and future mission-specific requirements, ensuring a future-proof solution for critical training.
With BITE, Babcock is elevating training standards and showcasing how Ottawa’s defence innovation ecosystem is driving impactful outcomes for Canada’s national security and allied operations.
- Read Babcock’s press release here.
- To learn more or book a BITE demonstration at Area X.O, visit the Training section of Babcock Canada’s website.
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