20 Years Strong: How Montreal’s Lightspeed is Helping Canadian Retailers Compete and Win

As it marks 20 years in business in 2025, Montreal-based Lightspeed is proving that Canadian retail tech can do more than keep up—it can set the pace. Founded by Dax Dasilva, Lightspeed has become a global force in retail enablement, providing point-of-sale, payments, and eCommerce solutions to hundreds of thousands of customer locations worldwide. But its roots remain proudly Canadian, and so does its mission: to help independent retailers thrive in an increasingly digital economy.

That mission comes to life at Paris Cartier, an apparel boutique in Quebec City that’s seen a remarkable transformation since adopting Lightspeed’s platform. When owner Peggy Plante took over the store, everything was done manually—from writing receipts to tracking inventory. To modernize, she needed a system that could integrate in-store and online sales, streamline operations, and grow with her ambitions. Lightspeed delivered on all counts.

“I knew that if I wanted to have eCommerce, it was important that the POS and the online store talk together,” says Plante. With Lightspeed, she got that—and more. The platform gave her the ability to manage inventory, issue receipts, run reports, launch an online store, and even process payments, all from one integrated system.

The impact was immediate. Paris Cartier saw a 20% increase in monthly sales, and the online store not only expanded reach but also served as a pre-shopping destination for in-store customers. “I get a lot of positive comments from customers about the online store, which I built myself,” says Plante. “Lightspeed made it easy.”

For entrepreneurs like Plante, digital transformation is not about chasing trends—it’s about staying competitive in a retail landscape where customer expectations, supply chains, and sales channels are constantly shifting. Lightspeed’s technology has helped Canadian retailers not only adapt but scale, offering enterprise-grade tools without the complexity.

As more Canadian businesses look to grow in uncertain economic conditions, having a retail platform that understands local needs and global opportunity is a strategic advantage. For Lightspeed, it’s also a source of national pride.

“We’ve always believed in the power of independent businesses,” says Dax Dasilva, CEO of Lightspeed. “From launching in Montreal, to working with retailers around the world, our goal has been to give business owners the tools to succeed—on their own terms.”

As Lightspeed turns 20, it’s a reminder that Canada doesn’t just produce tech giants—it produces the tools that help others become giants too.

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This article is part of CCI’s new “By Canadian Innovators” series, which showcases how members of the Council of Canadian Innovators work with homegrown companies to fuel their growth and make Canada more prosperous. Each story in this series highlights the unique contributions of these companies to building a more prosperous, innovation-driven economy. To learn more about the companies CCI works with to build a more prosperous Canada, visit our member directory.