Over the last couple of years, the pace of change has increased, especially for consumer shopping, selling and payment habits. Businesses are in the midst of a shift in overall methods of commerce. If the steps taken are done right, it bodes well for businesses in the future.

Despite recent challenges, some businesses hit the ground running at the onset of the pandemic and thrived. What’s the secret to their success? Square, a global technology leader providing tools and financial services for businesses, collaborated with Wakefield Research to find the answers. They conducted a survey of 1,000 customers and 500 retail businesses in Canada to gather their insights for the Future of Retail 2022. From this report, businesses can learn what it takes to evolve successfully in a changing world.

Keeping pace in a changing retail world

Automation is one area that is receiving plenty of attention. While companies are seeing it as a possible solution to ongoing labour shortages, it doesn’t mean replacing employees with robots. Automation allows staff to focus on more meaningful work. It’s a big trend with an estimated 93 percent of Canadian companies saying they use, or plan to use, automation technology to decrease the hands-on time of staff.

Consumers are turning to alternative ways of shopping beyond just online, including buying through live streaming and social media. During the pandemic, they’ve been accustomed to alternate channels and want options available to them. These seamless and easy-to-use omnichannel buying experiences are expected to grow in scale in the upcoming years.

It’s a win for businesses, too. Omnichannel commerce builds customer loyalty and provides multiple touchpoints for maintaining contact with consumers. The barrier for some retailers is a lack of knowledge about technology that prevents them from selling goods via newer online or social channels.

As Darryl Julott, Managing Lead at Digital Main Street, explains: “If you’re a smaller business, you need to look holistically at your business, your customers and your current omnichannel marketing strategy to see where you have gaps and where you can actually begin implementing a full-fledged strategy. You don’t want to get so far down the road and into the weeds with no direction. Pull back before you jump in — figure out how you’d be able to correct things and make adjustments on the fly.”

Consumers seek alternative shopping channels

Even as in-person shopping rebounds, the demand for e-commerce isn’t going anywhere. Retailers will have to adapt as consumers change how they want to buy and pay. The report findings show 61 percent of consumers prefer contactless payment, while 36 percent of retailers say they no longer accept cash. That makes adopting other payment solutions like mobile wallet apps, touchless card payments and QR payments a smart move.

Though consumers say they want contactless shopping, they still want connection, which is why conversational commerce is emerging as a leading trend for retailers. It allows businesses to meet their customers where they are. The data shows 47 percent of retailers reported they currently sell or plan to implement selling via text or chat. Customers are already embracing alternate channels with 23 percent buying retail items from salons and spas through social media channels.

Social media isn’t just about connecting, the report states. It’s about customer demand and translating it into sales. “By fine-tuning their message on all social channels available, retailers have a unique opportunity to meet millions of potential new customers and reach existing ones to help drive additional sales,” explains Brandon Levy, Square’s general manager, inventory, fulfillment and merchandising.

With change comes opportunity. Businesses can stand out by offering interactive, memorable retail experiences. Stores can break out of the box and experiment with inventive ways to keep customers engaged and spending more time with their favourite brands.

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The pace that commerce has accelerated during the pandemic has changed the way businesses and consumers transact. With no sign of slowing, the continued reliance on digital payment technologies has been a keyfocus among businesses. Consumers have embraced new shopping and payment behaviours in a significant way and have come to depend on them.

Adopting digital payments has played a vital role for businesses of all sizes and in all industries. According to leading payments technology company, Global Payments, key trends have emerged and are explored in detail in their 2022 Commerce and Payment Trends Report. Payment experts, global businesses and issuers weighed in to provide their insights about which trends businesses should pay attention to this year.

Digital technology gains momentum in a post-pandemic world 

The results, presented as five key trends, are shaking up commerce in a positive way. For businesses, these insights are invaluable for evaluating current strategies and ensuring they are prepared to meet the needs of customers and partners.

1. Buy now, pay later means higher conversions

Businesses selling big-ticket items are accustomed to offering customers installment plans. This year, offering tailored and flexible buy now, pay later (BNPL) plans on smaller purchases is on track to be a top payment trend. Though primarily limited to in-store transactions in the past, the availability of BNPL has now expanded to online purchases.

An estimated 65% of merchants plan to adopt this payment option, according to Global Payments. Consumers have shown they are comfortable making larger purchases when they have the option of BNPL. Features like opt-in payment plans and BNPL plans can be offered at check-out to split their payments and set-up installment plans.

2. Adapting to changing customer expectations is key

Meeting a customer’s expectations these days should include the ways they prefer to pay at checkout. The pandemic amplified the need for businesses to allow customers to pay digitally, both online and in-person. As such, the acceptance of digital wallets, QR-code payments, payment links, and online invoicing have proven to meet the needs of digital-savvy consumers and businesses alike—addressing concerns for safety and expectations of convenience.

As online shopping habits continue to form, businesses should also review their ecommerce platforms, ensuring their product pages are optimized and the checkout process is frictionless.

3. Customers expect a connected buying experience

When mapping a customer’s buying journey, businesses should aim to look at the bigger picture–from beginning to end. Connecting every point of the buying process to support a strategic commerce ecosystem has been shown to deliver better outcomes. Integrating gift and loyalty programs, for example, help attract new customers, retain existing customers and drive revenue.

Brand affinity and familiarity are driving factors for many purchase decisions. That’s why digital commerce strategy should focus on adopting ways to create a superior experience for customers while also providing key metrics and analytics to help run and grow business. Often, businesses rely on many different providers to deliver what they need which can be inefficient–a better option is to choose a single-source provider that can provide a robust suite of options at the start.

4. Data security remains a priority

Handling customer data means businesses should adhere to the latest guidance and follow proper protocols for data security. It’s a topic that will drive some of the greatest challenges for businesses this year.

Cybersecurity Involves ensuring data privacy policies, procedures, and protections are met. Technology Can help protect data. For example, tokenization—where sensitive data is modified and stored with “tokens” which have no real relationship between the token and the original card number–provides an added layer of security to protect data.

It’s recommended that businesses re-evaluate their policies and procedures at least once per year and consult with a payments partner for recommendations and solutions.

5. B2B payments get digitized

Businesses transacting with other businesses are continuing to see the reciprocal role that digital commerce plays. With more of the workforce remote, businesses need to ensure payment obligations are being met with suppliers, driving the need to digitize B2B payments. It’s estimated that digital B2B payments are expected to increase from 121.5 billion in 2020 to 200 billion transactions by 2025, according to Capgemini.

The benefits of a streamlined digital B2B payments approach includes better cash flow management, greater efficiency and less money spent on paper supplies and postage to name a few.

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Community boosters are worth a lot. Schools, arenas, parks, and libraries in Strathmore share stories of people pulling together to get the project finished. More businesses are discovering that the community is proud to help them grow, too.

Investments in agri-business, manufacturing, and renewable energy are setting records for the largest volume of capital investment in Strathmore’s history. It’s a town focused on the future and growth that welcomes a variety of startups but has retained its rural roots and a commitment to its community.

More businesses are discovering what Strathmore offers

That is just one reason why Borea Construction has been so pleased with its partnership with Strathmore. It is constructing two major solar projects in the area and has received an incredible level of support from the town. “Strathmore is really willing to go farther to help us succeed,” says Chelsea Million, the company’s talent advisor. When explaining what sets Strathmore apart from other places, she cites the successful job fair hosted locally, the quality of local candidates, and the town’s willingness to share resources in order to help meet the firm’s goals.

The town has a long tradition of being innovative and solution-focused. Its Marigold Library System, established in 1981, was a game-changer. The not-for-profit municipal collaboration provides state-of-the-art library services, now serving over 300,000 people across 44 municipalities. It joined forces with Western Irrigation District (WID), which supplies irrigation water to almost 100,000 acres of farmland, to build a new shared headquarters this year. It’s a prime example of Strathmore’s strong collaborative spirit.

Focus on success and innovation

Local businesses are expanding their reach. Origin Malting drew on five generations of farming expertise when they launched their malting plant in 2016. As pioneers of soil conservation and traceability, they brought a focus on sustainability to their operations. Producing the finest malt for craft brewers has brought customers from across North America.

We have great people that work hard here. Some of the finest people you’ll ever meet…they work right here. We’re much like a family I guess.

An unexpected start-up has its origins in a local farm as well. G&S Airport Conveyor, which builds and maintains baggage conveyor systems for airports around the world, started out of a garage on an area farm. Since moving into Strathmore, the company has grown and invested in newer, more advanced technology. Owner Jim Goertz appreciates how business-friendly Strathmore is. He also likes the inviting small-town feel, something that makes it easy to attract and retain employees. It’s a desirable place to work and to live in. “We have great people that work hard here. Some of the finest people you’ll ever meet … they work right here. We’re much like a family I guess.”

Strathmore is well-positioned to keep the momentum going. “Strathmore offers start-ups a great place to grow. Our team offers personalized support you can’t find in large centers” says Mayor Pat Fule. “We’re a friendly, welcoming community that helps each other to succeed.”

The post Small Towns Are Friendly — And Startups Succeed with Lots of Friends appeared first on HiveInnovates.

Canadian startups need to think internationally in order to succeed. Learn how the DMZ can help mitigate the risk involved in expanding to new global markets.

Despite Canada’s small market, many Canadian startups are not exploring the potential that global expansion may bring to their company.

While every founder wants their company to access new customer bases and capital, only about 12 percent of small businesses in Canada currently export their goods and services. However, for companies who want to look into expanding, it might be time to start looking global from the get-go.

“The majority of tech startups don’t realize it, but they are in a business that can be global from day one,” says Abdullah Snobar, the Executive Director of the DMZ. “We need to help tech startups and early entrepreneurs see themselves as exporters, even if they don’t have a physical product.”

The DMZ has helped to raise over $1.5 billion in seed funding for startups and has provided mentorship and support, utilizing its worldwide network, to turn Canadian startups into world-class, global tech businesses.

Looking beyond Canadian borders

According to Snobar, for Canadian startups in a small domestic market, considering global expansion is a necessity, not a nice to have. This was the case for Softdrive, a DMZ incubator company, where only 3 percent of their total addressable market was in Canada.

“The US has about 24x the amount of organizations than Canada, making it critical for Softdrive to expand internationally,” says Leonard Ivey, Founder of Softdrive. “If we don’t, we’d be stunting our growth significantly and mitigating our chances of success.”

However, there are a few barriers that make global expansion difficult for Canadian startups. For pet-tech company Charmy Pet, navigating the regulations to comply with federal agencies like the CFIA and U.S. FDA was one of them—but the support of the DMZ and their connections made the process much easier.

“We were fortunate to have the support of the DMZ and their in-house supply chain experts to help us expand,” says Zach Sheng, Co-Founder and CEO of Charmy Pet.

Building a reputation in a new market, while trying to find support, trustworthy global partners, and dealing with cultural differences, can be difficult. “It can take a few years for a startup to build a solid reputation in their local market and transferring that trust to a global market is challenging,” says Mohsen Omrani, Co-Founder and CEO of OPTT. “A good way to bridge local trust to a new market is being associated with reputable organizations, like incubators and VCs, with proven track records.” It helps to have a team like DMZ in your corner where these past experiences can be used as leverage.

How the DMZ’s network can help

But Snobar says one of the biggest barriers to expansion is the founder’s own mindset. “If they don’t want to go global, then they’ll find every excuse not to go. But there’s always risk anywhere you operate,” says Snobar. “If you don’t look to expand into a new market, someone else will.”

For those who do want to expand globally, the DMZ offers founders a deep understanding of different local ecosystems, countries, and economies through their network of global offices and incubators in over 10 countries. For example, if a Canadian startup wanted to expand into India, the DMZ could connect them to other founders and partners in their field who are already involved in the Indian market. This is due to the DMZ being an enabler to global expansion—they can help founders access peers who’ll understand their journey and their struggles.

“There’s never been a more important time than today to think about how to take your business and expand to your full potential,” says Snobar. “The whole team is glad we’re helping in that journey with creating opportunities for founders entering these new markets.”

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Canada aims to increase immigration following slowed population growth due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Immigration is vital to Canada’s economic and social well-being. Individuals who come to Canada on work permits, study permits and as landed immigrants become the Canadian citizens of the future and help the country address skills shortages and demographic challenges.

But travel restrictions associated with COVID-19 massively slowed immigration in 2020, including last summer, when Canada recorded its slowest population growth from international migration since such data became available in 1946, according to Statistics Canada.

Canada relies on immigrants for economic growth and to fill labour shortages due to an aging population. The slow population growth means that Canada will depend even more on immigration for its post-pandemic economic recovery.

As part of its recovery plan, the Canadian government aims to welcome 401,000 permanent residents this year, which is a challenge, says Jack Kim, a partner in the Toronto office of the immigration law firm, Fragomen. “Because of COVID-19, there has not been that new wave of students and workers coming to the country who will become permanent residents and then citizens. So that is something we are going to have to watch over the next few years,” Kim says.

Remote work affecting immigration

Another lasting impact of COVID-19 will be the increase in remote work, according to Kim. “Because work has usually been centred around an office, this led to immigration to Canada, Kim says. “With the increase in remote work, what does that do downstream? For example, Canada relied heavily upon a steady flow of people coming from the United States in the last few years, can we continue to rely on this?”

Fragomen is a leading immigration firm with more than 55 offices in more than 25 countries. Its Toronto office serves corporate clients, finding solutions to issues like how to mobilize a large number of employees effectively in Canada or how to tackle an employer compliance inspection. It also serves individuals who may need help with questions such as how they can remain permanently in Canada. The office also assists with immigration needs outside of Canada and with consular support services for those wishing to travel to the United States and other business destinations.

Fragomen a top immigration services provider

Fragomen has won many awards and is distinguished as the top immigration services provider in many major markets and as a leader in diversity and inclusion. The firm also prides itself on providing pro bono work, including assisting non-governmental organizations tackling immigration issues or working with charities like SickKids Foundation, with its program to bring children in need of medical care to Canada.

The firm also has a partnership with Talent Beyond Boundaries, which helps place skilled refugees in jobs in stable countries around the world. “This is a new way to resettle refugees under different pathways,” says Kim. “We are happy to help with something that can change someone’s life.

“One of our core tenets is giving back to the community. Our Toronto office reflects the diversity of the city and a lot of us come from communities that need help. Immigration only happens in a world where there is some stability and a certain amount of people who care. I think we need to do all we can to help.”

The post How Immigration Can Boost Canada’s Post-pandemic Economic Recovery appeared first on HiveInnovates.

How do we find an investment that provides income for today and growth for tomorrow? A differentiated TD ETF provides an all-in-one solution.

We all need income to fulfil our everyday needs. Canadians approaching retirement, or already retired, may require income beyond what their government and various pension plans provide. For many, that means drawing a regular income stream from their investments.

Income-bearing investments tend to be in fixed-income securities, such as bonds and GICs (guaranteed investment certificates), which are tied to interest rates. Lower interest rates over the past decade have made it harder to earn income through fixed-income securities. Even the slightest interest rate drop can trigger a major drop to one’s regular income stream.

Add to this scenario rising inflation and its effect on purchasing power. “Inflation is something investors haven’t had to worry about for the past decade, but it’s going to make this a more challenging period for fixed-income investing than it has been for the last 40 years,” says Ben Gossack, Vice President and Director, Portfolio Manager within the Fundamental Equity Team at TD Asset Management Inc. “Inflation is that silent hand that takes money out from under your mattress.”

Lower yields and inflation cause challenges to long-term investors

Investors need alternate ways to generate income

To offset lower yields and rising inflation, investors need to think about long-term growth. “Income is important, but so is having a growing income stream,” says Gossack. “One way to do that is to build up one’s nest egg, but that gets harder to do as you get older.”

The market offers numerous investment alternatives to help solve this income/growth dilemma, either through individual securities or mutual funds. However, there are often trade-offs. For example, high-dividend-yielding stocks, utility companies, and consumer staples provide income but not growth. Others, like growth stocks, provide growth but not a lot of income.

There are also many exchange traded funds (ETFs) designed for income or growth, but here too investors may need to compromise. “The income solutions the industry has provided through ETFs have typically been high-dividend-yielding stocks or covered call strategies, where you’re giving up future potential upside for income today” says Gossack.

TGED seeks to provide stable monthly income plus long-term growth

The TD Active Global Enhanced Dividend ETF (TGED) is designed to secure a stable monthly income with a focus on total return. Established in May 2019, this differentiated ETF invests primarily in dividend-paying equity securities in developed markets around the world, and in some emerging markets.

“Effectively we’re trying to provide individuals with a healthy income without sacrificing growth, so over the long run we’re aiming to give the investor a great total return, which includes a four percent yield in the meantime,” says Gossack.

The fund employs an active stock selection approach, seeking quality large cap companies that generate free cash flow, have strong balance sheets, and are poised to take advantage of multi-year secular growth trends. “We then build income streams on top of that through active call writing and put writing,” says Gossack.

Here’s where differentiation really comes into play. “A lot of ETFs in the market approach their covered call writing with a systematic philosophy,” explains Gossack. “As such, they roll their contracts on a monthly schedule and limit their upside to a few percentage points above the current price levels,” he says. The downside of this approach is that systematic covered call strategies are often proven to sacrifice growth for income and will lag the market on a total return basis.

“Our approach on the other hand is completely flexible,” says Gossack. “We are not forced to write any contract, so we write ours when we see the best opportunity from an active fundamental lens,” he says. While Gossack notes this approach is more complicated, it enables the fund to enhance its income from these option premiums and leave upside for stock prices to appreciate to capture growth. In addition, it is rare to find an ETF that writes puts in addition to covered call writing. “Put writing allows us to get paid to buy stocks we like at lower prices” says Gossack.

This three-pronged approach is designed to provide an all-in-one solution to investors looking for income and growth. “Not many income strategies have stocks that do not pay out dividends,” says Gossack. “That’s unique to us because we can convert these companies into synthetic dividend payers through our active call writing.”

Despite the market turmoil and the COVID-19 pandemic sell-off, TGED has maintained its regular income target of four percent and achieved a 19.6 percent return for 2020.

The fund is available on the retail market to all investors. To learn more about TD ETFs, visit TD.com/ETFs. To hear more from Ben Gossack and for a deep dive on TGED, listen to our TDAM Talks ETFs Videocast:  Income or Growth? Seek both with TGED.

The information contained herein has been provided by TD Asset Management Inc. and is for information purposes only. The information has been drawn from sources believed to be reliable. The information does not provide financial, legal, tax or investment advice. Particular investment, tax, or trading strategies should be evaluated relative to each individual’s objectives and risk tolerance.

Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investments in ETFs. Please read the prospectus and ETF Facts before investing. ETFs are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. ETF units are bought and sold at market price on a stock exchange and brokerage commissions will reduce returns.

TD ETFs are managed by TD Asset Management Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Toronto- Dominion Bank.

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

^®The TD logo and other trademarks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank or its subsidiaries.

The post TD Is Offering a Differentiated ETF for Income and Growth appeared first on HiveInnovates.

What comes to mind when you think of the future of our planet and sustainable development? Will the agriculture sector in Canada evolve, and if so, how?

Our biggest challenge for the future is tackling climate change. Farmers know the impacts of floods, droughts, and fires, which are becoming more frequent. On top of that, degraded water and soil health can take a toll on our communities and wildlife.

Currently, agricultural emissions account for 10 percent of emissions in Canada, and they are projected to rise further, driven by growing global demand for food.

Our Government will continue working in partnership with farmers to ensure they remain competitive and that our water, air, and soil are sustainable for generations to come.

We have set ambitious but necessary targets – putting measures in place to help Canada exceed its 2030 emissions targets and set the country on a path towards net zero by 2050.

Luckily, Canadian farmers have a strong environmental record to build on. Over the past century, Canadian agriculture has made tremendous advances in innovation and science. As an example, one can look to the Prairies to see carbon sequestration in action: through adoption of soil conservation practices such as no-till and crop rotations, agricultural lands can provide a natural climate solution by storing carbon in soil as they have done for the past 20 years.

Just as importantly, farmers will also benefit from the economic impacts of adopting those practices on their farms.

The industry will also gain a competitive advantage as a leader in sustainable production, meeting rising demands from our global customers for products with a smaller environmental footprint.

There’s great potential to continue making progress. Together, these efforts will support our vision of Canada as a world leader in sustainable agriculture – environmentally, economically, and socially.

What can Canadians do to directly support our agriculture sector in achieving its sustainability goals?

We will continue supporting farmers and food businesses to help reach our emission reduction targets. To support these goals, much of our Government’s efforts go towards building a sustainable model for food production, which in turn means stable and prosperous businesses.

More and more, everyday Canadians are finding ways to support this movement. From community food banks that are investing in new cold food storage units across Canada, to businesses giving second life to food by-products, to partnerships between potato farmers and scientists to monitor water and soil quality, initiatives like these are helping steer the sector towards a sustainable future.

Closer to home, the three Rs – reducing, reusing, and recycling – go a long way towards reducing food waste. To support this cause, our Government initiated the Food Waste Reduction Challenge to help make the most of the food we have available to us, keep our environment clean, and lower household expenses. 

What misconceptions or “knowledge gaps” are most common on the subject of environmentally conscious agri-food and what it means to eat a sustainable diet?

When it comes to eating sustainably, Canadians have many choices when it comes to shifting to “greener” food options. Canada’s agri-food sector is equipped to provide a range of nutritious foods produced using sustainable methods, from our well-established meat and dairy sectors to the emerging plant-based proteins market.

Canada has also become a global leader in producing plant-based protein alternatives. The prospect of blending high-quality proteins into baked goods, fortified beverages, and meat and egg alternatives is an exciting one for the industry. It shows we can be a leader for both sustainably produced animal- and plant-based proteins – there is a future for both kinds of agriculture.

Speaking of alternative proteins, the team at Enterra Corp. is rising to the challenge of feeding the world in innovative ways. In their facility north of Calgary, they raise black soldier larvae, which is fed 130 tonnes of surplus food from the region – each day! The larvae are then made into nutrient-rich pet food and plant fertilizer. Enterra is a local food hero for making a viable business model out of food-waste reduction, and our Government is here to support them and other entrepreneurs through initiatives like the Food Waste Reduction Challenge.

As it pertains to our future environmental security, what commitments or achievements are you most proud of the Canadian agriculture sector for?

The ongoing environmental performance of our sector is something I’m deeply committed to. On top of funding to help reduce emissions in the agriculture sector and adopt beneficial management practices, our government is investing in nature-based solutions and environmental clean technology: notably, our plan for a Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy includes the $185-million Natural Climate Solutions for Agriculture Fund and the $165-million Agricultural Clean Tech Program, to name only two investments. As we expand on the groundwork for climate-smart agriculture, it is my hope that the returns will extend far beyond my mandate.

To oversee this, I entrust the next generation to helping ensure our shared environmental security. The Canadian Agricultural Youth Council comes to mind, with dedicated members bringing their valuable experiences from diverse communities across Canada. With more voices at the table, more Canadians will have a say as we continue crafting a serious plan for our future food systems. 

For anyone who wants to look further into the issue of food loss, the Taking Stock report is a good place to start. The portal includes simple tips on how households and consumers can keep their food fresher for longer, as well as initiatives underway to help families cut down on food waste in their everyday lives.

As the portal outlines, partnerships are well underway between governments, non-governmental, and industry organizations on food waste-reduction initiatives. The goal is to make it easy for more Canadians to play their part, whether or not they work in the agriculture sector.

The post Planting the Seeds to Our Sustainable Future appeared first on HiveInnovates.

Viridis Terra International is a Canada-based company that specializes in ecosystem restoration and sustainable management with a mandate to combat the global problems caused by land degradation and climate change.

Restoring degraded ecosystems

“Our activities focus on the restoration of degraded ecosystems, lands, and soils, as well as the formulation, implementation, and sustainable management of large-scale forest landscape restoration projects,” explains Martin Beaudoin Nadeau, Founder and CEO of Viridis Terra International.

It was the organization’s dedication to environmental stewardship that led Viridis Terra to launch the TreesOfLives^® fund. The fund is based on a model that focuses on three pillars essential to a green economy: partnering with landowners, forest landscape restoration, and an investment platform that uses artificial intelligence based on data collected in the field.

When people invest in the TreesOfLives^® fund, Viridis Terra is then able to offer technology and expertise to help landowners create models to sustainably restore and develop degraded land. In turn, the forests and the land become fertile, grow, and produce, which contributes to carbon sequestration. In this way, those who invest in TreesOfLives^® are removing a significant portion of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and are thus helping to offset their own carbon emissions — all while assisting local communities in enjoying a better quality of life.

Eventually, the commodities grown by the landowners are sold to buyers looking for zero-deforestation and certified sustainable products. Profits from these sales are shared between the landowner and the investor.

A meaningful investment option

TreesOfLives^® is an impact investment vehicle that’s open to both individuals and organizations. Through their contributions, the fund can finance large-scale restoration projects in partnership with landowners and communities. The estimated targeted return on investment for the fund is more than seven percent.

Martin Beaudoin Nadeau

Founder & CEO, Viridis Terra International

Viridis Terra founder and CEO Martin Beaudoin Nadeau discusses the exciting launch of the TreesOfLives^® fund.

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Why did Viridis Terra launch the TreesOfLives^® fund? 

The reason we launched the TreesOfLives^® fund is that we want to create a green economy around land restoration and to bring capital to these landscapes that are degraded. The fund lets us do that on a very large scale and lets us have a huge impact on fighting climate change and the degradation of natural landscapes. At Viridis Terra, we’re driven by a commitment to fighting against the effects of climate change sustainably, leading to a better future for all.

What makes the TreesOfLives^® fund different than other similar sustainable, environmentally-oriented funds?

Our fund is different because not only does an investor get financial returns, they also get a personal return for themselves by offsetting their own ecological footprint. Investors become key players in fighting the climate crisis. It’s a meaningful way to make an impact.

Who can invest in the fund?

Individuals and companies can both invest. Investing in TreesOfLives^® allows investors to offset their carbon footprint with certified carbon credits. Furthermore, these investments can help remove substantial amounts of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and a portion of their investment can be used to further offset their carbon emissions. Also, by investing with TreesOfLives^®, investors can indirectly transform the cost of restoration and smart reforestation into an impact investment. Investors can really make a difference.

*Disclaimer* Expected yields are based on data from similar projects carried out by Viridis Terra and its partners in the past in the same areas where Viridis Terra carries out its restoration activities. However, yields are not guaranteed and may vary considerably due to various factors. See our legal documentation on treesoflives.com for full details.

For more information on investing in the TreesOfLives^® sustainable impact investment fund, visit treesoflives.com.
To learn more about Viridis Terra, visit viridisterra.com.

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Water security is essential to tackling climate change and protecting the bottom line, and CDP’s leadership helps companies respond and adapt.

The world is running out of water. Less than 1.2 percent of the world’s water is available for human use, and a 56 percent shortfall of the available global water supply is expected by 2030, according to the UN.

“Businesses and their operations are exposed to disruptions and other risks from increased water-related disasters,” says Christina Copeland, Associate Director of Water Security at CDP North America. And CDP’s Global Water Report 2020 found that the financial impacts of ignoring water risks are five times higher than addressing them.

Harnessing corporate climate change data and advocating for corporate sustainability

As an international leader in corporate sustainability reporting, CDP runs the largest and only integrated global environmental disclosure system. Each year, CDP supports thousands of companies, cities, states, and regions to measure and manage their risks and opportunities on climate change, water security, and deforestation. Its annual disclosure process scores companies and cities based on their journey from awareness to environmental leadership.

“Twenty years ago, CDP envisioned a world with a thriving economy that works for people and the planet in the long term,” says Copeland. “Over the past two decades, we’ve led a global movement that has transformed business as usual, spurred innovation and action on climate change, and forged the connection between environmental sustainability and global prosperity.”

The cost of taking action on water security is five times less than the cost of business as usual

Facing risks and embracing opportunities to create a better world

Today’s top businesses recognize that in order to remain competitive, they must act collaboratively. CDP disclosure helps influential decision-makers reduce risk, capitalize on opportunities, and drive action toward a more sustainable world.

Its Global Water Report 2020 highlights the incredible impact of inaction. “$301 billion (USD) of business value is at risk unless companies improve and innovate around water use,” says Copeland.

Beyond these risks, there are also opportunities when investing in water security, estimated at $711 billion (USD). “Companies need to transform their business models for a water-secure world,” says Copeland. This could mean investing in innovative solutions, developing new products, and harnessing value from wastewater. Many businesses are already taking bold action to enable water security, from Unilever to PVH.

It’s time to take action on
water-related solutions

Canadian companies still have a long way to go. “Of the 106 companies to make our Water A List in 2020, none were Canadian,” says Copeland. “There’s a serious need for more measurement and management on water quality from Canadian businesses.”

Copeland also notes that setting and making progress against pollution-related targets is vital to ensuring clean water for all. “We must consider water and climate change holistically. The current usage, storage, and distribution of water and the lack of wastewater treatment contribute 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions,” she says.

Now is the time to take action on water-related solutions. It’s essential for climate action and it makes business sense.

The post How CDP Is Helping Companies Build a Water-Secure World appeared first on HiveInnovates.

Thanks to a symbiotic relationship between Toronto’s financial services industry and its fintech innovators, the region is one of North America’s leaders in financial technology.

While many Canadians are familiar with California’s Silicon Valley, few realize that Canada itself is set to become a world leader in fintech. With a world-class hub of innovation, technology, and finance, Toronto is leading the way in fintech innovation.

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A growing reputation

“Toronto is the second-largest financial centre in North America,” explains Jennifer Reynolds, President & CEO of Toronto Finance International. “It’s taken some time, but our reputation is growing globally. We aren’t as well-known as we should be for the strength of our financial centre and our fintech development. Canada has historically been defined as a nation of natural resources, but people are coming to understand that we’re also a remarkable hub for technology innovation and fintech.”

One secret to the success of Toronto’s fintech community is the strength of the area’s financial services sector. “Toronto’s among the top ten financial centres in the world,” says Reynolds. We have leading companies in banking, insurance, and asset management who are operating on a global level. In addition to that, the region is the second largest technology cluster in North America. Not every financial centre has those two pools of talent to draw from and that has no doubt fostered a more robust and vibrant fintech ecosystem.”

Reynolds explains that this is compounded by the significant investments of the financial services industry into technology. “We hire a large number of technology professionals and the largest banks alone invest more than $13 billion annually on technology. The financial services industry has also always been a big supporter of accelerators and incubators — we have more than 20 incubators in the Toronto region alone, all supported by the industry. These relationships are a springboard for innovation, and serve to draw very skilled people into the sector.”

Canada has historically been defined as a nation of natural resources, but people are coming to understand that we’re also an amazing hub for tech innovation and fintech.

Success in diversity

There’s no shortage of world-class tech talent in Toronto. “Ontario has one of the highest rates of STEM grads in North America,” says Reynolds. “That high-quality pool of educated people is augmented by gifted international innovators who want to work in Toronto. They’re drawn to Canada by its diversity, political stability, and welcoming immigration policies.” This commitment to diversity helps Toronto attract talent from across the globe, especially when combined with a high quality of life when compared to other financial centres worldwide.

Toronto’s status as a hub for artificial intelligence (AI) innovation is an additional asset. “AI’s an important tool for the financial services industry and Toronto has the densest cluster of these startups in the world. We’re ranked fourth globally for our AI sector, which certainly adds strength to the talent pool for both financial services and fintech.”

“Large global technology companies have been setting up development centres in the area as a result of this talent pool. There is a growing recognition that we have a highly qualified technology talent pool alongside one of the largest financial centres globally,” says Reynolds. “And a growing recognition of the important driver that this is to the robustness and the growth of the region.”

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The post Why Toronto is Leading the Way in Fintech Innovation appeared first on HiveInnovates.