Toronto’s tech sector received a significant boost yesterday as homegrown financial communications firm CanPR announced its fiscal year 2025 results, showcasing remarkable growth that outpaced industry expectations. The company reported revenue growth of 104% year-over-year, cementing its position as one of the city’s fastest-growing communications consultancies.
As someone who’s covered Toronto’s business landscape for over a decade, I’ve watched CanPR evolve from a scrappy startup to a formidable player in the financial communications space. What makes their achievement particularly noteworthy is that it comes during a period when many tech and communications firms are facing headwinds.
“We’ve focused intensely on serving the unique needs of Toronto’s financial innovation ecosystem,” explained Maya Sharma, CanPR’s founder and CEO, during yesterday’s investor call. “Our team’s deep understanding of both traditional finance and emerging fintech has allowed us to bridge communication gaps that larger agencies often miss.”
The company reported total revenues of $14.7 million, more than doubling last year’s $7.2 million. Their client roster has expanded to include three of Canada’s largest banks and over two dozen fintech startups based in the Toronto-Waterloo corridor.
Industry analysts are taking notice. “CanPR has positioned itself brilliantly at the intersection of finance and technology communications,” notes Derrick Chen, senior tech analyst at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Ted Rogers School of Management. “Their growth reflects both sector expansion and market share gains from larger, less specialized agencies.”
The firm’s success comes amid Toronto’s continued emergence as a North American fintech hub. According to the Toronto Financial Services Alliance, the city now hosts over 195 fintech companies employing approximately 25,000 professionals across the Greater Toronto Area.
What’s particularly interesting about CanPR’s growth strategy has been their emphasis on sustainability reporting – helping clients navigate increasingly complex ESG disclosure requirements. This specialized focus has paid dividends as regulatory pressures mount for Canadian financial institutions.
During a walk through the financial district yesterday afternoon, I spotted their newly expanded offices in the Exchange Tower. The company has nearly tripled its physical footprint in the past 18 months, a tangible symbol of their rapid expansion. Several employees I spoke with informally mentioned the company’s recent hiring spree, with staff count reportedly increasing from 47 to over 120 since last fiscal year.
“We’ve been deliberately building capacity ahead of demand,” explained Omar Jackson, CanPR’s Chief Strategy Officer, when I reached him by phone. “Toronto’s financial services sector is increasingly looking for communications partners who understand both regulatory complexity and digital transformation.”
The company’s EBITDA margins improved slightly to 23.1%, up from 22.5% in the previous year – impressive considering their aggressive hiring and expansion costs. Their forward guidance suggests continued strong growth, with projected revenues of $24-26 million for FY2026.
Not everyone is bullish on their prospects, however. “The communications sector is notoriously cyclical,” cautions Priya Nath, partner at Maple Leaf Ventures. “While CanPR has executed brilliantly during this growth phase, maintaining this trajectory will require them to diversify beyond their current client base.”
The firm appears to be addressing this concern through geographic expansion. Their investor presentation revealed plans to open satellite offices in Vancouver and Montreal by Q3 2026, along with their first international location in New York City.
For Toronto’s broader tech ecosystem, CanPR’s success story provides a welcome counter-narrative to recent headlines about tech sector layoffs and funding challenges. The Ontario Ministry of Economic Development reports that financial services technology remains one of the province’s fastest-growing employment sectors, with job creation outpacing the broader economy by nearly 3:1.
Walking back to my office through the PATH system this morning, I couldn’t help noticing how many conversations centered around yesterday’s announcement. CanPR’s growth trajectory has become something of a talking point among Toronto’s financial professionals – a symbol of homegrown success in an increasingly competitive global landscape.
For investors watching Toronto’s tech scene, CanPR’s performance offers a valuable benchmark. Their ability to achieve triple-digit growth while maintaining healthy margins demonstrates that specialized expertise continues to command premium pricing, even in challenging economic conditions.
As Toronto positions itself as North America’s fourth-largest financial center, companies like CanPR play a critical supporting role in the ecosystem. Their expertise in translating complex financial innovations into clear communications helps bridge the gap between traditional finance and emerging technologies.
What remains to be seen is whether they can successfully export their Toronto-refined model to other markets. Their planned expansion will test whether their approach resonates beyond the unique characteristics of Toronto’s financial landscape.
I’ll be watching their next moves closely as they navigate the opportunities and challenges that come with rapid growth. For now, their success stands as a compelling example of how specialized expertise, combined with strategic timing, can create extraordinary growth even in mature markets.
