London-based Northern Commerce, Digital Echidna Both on Canadian Business’ Growth Lists

LONDON, ON -- Oct. 15, 2020 -- In their final year as independent companies before an already-announced merger, top London technology firms Northern Commerce and Digital Echidna both find themselves on Canadian Business and Maclean’s magazine’s key growth lists published today.

Digital Echidna makes its fourth consecutive appearance on the Growth List ranking of Canada’s Fastest-Growing Companies, this year appearing at 280. Northern Commerce is ranked 79th on the 2020 Startup List. This recognition follows both agencies recent recognition on the Report on Business’ ranking of Canada’s Top Growing Companies. 

“We’re proud to be listed on the 2020 Startup List as it is reflective of the success of our organization and validates the potential we saw in merging two established companies,” Michael DeLorenzi, President of Northern Commerce, said, explaining that while Northern was founded within the past five years -- meeting the timeframe mandated by the Growth List -- its creation was built upon the earlier foundation of two innovative companies: Inspiratica and ATMOS. 

That history of success bodes well, he said, for the merger of Northern and Digital Echidna. 

“To see us both on our respective Fastest-Growing Companies lists gives us a strong base to grow our organization by pooling the resources, knowledge, and experience exhibited by two successful organizations.”

For Digital Echidna president Andrew McClenaghan, the company’s presence on four consecutive Growth Lists is reflective of the dedication that the team has not only to customer service, but also being willing to take chances, learn new ways of working, and embracing new technologies -- a must in this ever-changing digital environment.

“It’s not easy to make this list in the first place,” McClenaghan said. “But it becomes more challenging each year to maintain the exponential growth that it requires to stay on the list for four straight years.

“The only way to do it is to be adaptive, flexible, and unique in your offerings. And it is those very qualities that both organizations share, which can only serve us well as we combine our resources and work towards future growth.”

Ranking Canada’s Fastest-Growing Companies by five-year revenue growth, the Growth List profiles the country’s most successful entrepreneurial businesses. The Growth List is produced by Canadian Business. 

“The companies on the 2020 Growth List are really exceptional. Their stories are a masterclass in how to survive when the economy throws a curveball. Despite turbulence, 2020 Growth List companies showed resilience, spirit and, most importantly, empathy and strong leadership,” Susan Grimbly, Growth List editor, explained. “As we celebrate over 30 years of the Canada’s Fastest-Growing Companies program, it’s encouraging to see that the heart of Canada’s entrepreneurial community beats strong, even in tough times.”

As much as it is a win for both organizations, DeLorenzi said it is also a recognition of the powerful technology industry in London, and for the people, organizations, and educational facilities that support it. 

“We can’t grow without talent. We can’t grow without community support. And we can’t grow without a city welcoming and supporting the people who live in it,” he said. “From Western to Fanshawe to LEDC and TechAlliance to the City of London itself, all of these organizations combine to make London a place where not only can companies like us grow roots, but they create an environment where we can grow and flourish.”

ABOUT NORTHERN COMMERCE

Headquartered in London, Ontario, Northern is a full-service digital experience agency. Northern unites creativity, technology, and performance marketing to create immersive digital experiences for leading brands in their pursuit of digital transformation.

For more information on Northern Commerce, please visit www.northern.co.

ABOUT DIGITAL ECHIDNA

Digital Echidna is a web design and digital agency that focuses on developing digital experiences and large-scale websites on the Drupal content management system. It has a strong presence in the educational, health, government, and public sector markets.

For more information on Digital Echidna, please visit www.echidna.ca

ABOUT THE GROWTH LIST

For over 30 years, the Growth List ranking of Canada’s Fastest-Growing Companies (formerly the Growth 500) has been Canada’s most respected and influential ranking of entrepreneurial achievement. Originally developed by PROFIT and now published in a special Growth List print issue of Canadian Business (packaged with the December issue of Maclean’s magazine) and online at GrowthList.ca and CanadianBusiness.com, the Growth List ranks Canadian companies on five-year revenue growth, and the Startup List ranks Canadian new growth companies on two-year revenue growth. For more information on the ranking, visit GrowthList.ca.

ABOUT CANADIAN BUSINESS

Founded in 1928, Canadian Business is the longest-serving business publication in the country. It has fuelled the success of Canada’s business elite and, through the Growth List ranking, celebrates leadership, innovation, business strategy and management tactics. Learn more at CanadianBusiness.com.

Media Contacts

Jen Brennan
Senior Digital Marketing Strategist
Northern Commerce
[email protected]

Jay Ménard
Senior Consultant, UX Research & Content Strategy
Digital Echidna
[email protected]

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