It’s hard not to like Pema and Noah. The two founders of GigPark have been two of the hardest working and (more importantly) most focused founders to have come out of Toronto in the last few years.
We first covered GigPark in February 2008. I loved the site, and the focus on maintaining the integrity of the social network, but I wondered whether they could build the mass needed to go from walled garden to healthy ecosystem. Then, earlier this year GigPark partnered with Metro, a free national newspaper.
Today CanPages is announcing that they have acquired GigPark. The deal also received a nice mention in the Globe and Mail.
Pema and Noah are examples of what a laser focus on product will get you. They released early and they continued to develop GigPark with regular releases and improvements. The key here though is that they got the product out early and didn’t try to come up with the perfect product from day one.
When I first started using GigPark, I didn’t remember to go back to the site regularly, but over time GigPark became an integral part of how I found new places to eat and businesses to call. As my network slowly grew, it became not just useful, but critical.
I am feeling especially proud to know these guys and to have had the chance to watch them grow from first release to acquisition. They have been behind-the-scene supporters of a lot of the community and have always encouraged the entire Toronto community.
Noah and Pema will be staying in the CanPages family for a little while, but I am sure it won’t be long before they are back in action.
Congratulations, GigPark!
Congratulations, GigPark!
Thanks so much for the lovely post Jevon (*wipes tear from eye*). GigPark would never have got to this point without the help and support of the incredible Canadian tech community. And StartupNorth – the blog + the great events you and the team organize – is at the heart of that community.
Noah and I first decided to start GigPark after attending the Mesh conference, we recruited Paul Dowman and all of the team through StartupNorth and Ruby pub nights and we launched our beta at a DemoCamp event. GigPark was truly born out of the grassroots Toronto tech community. We feel like we owe a lot to that community and are so thankful for all of the ideas, advice and support we’ve received over the last couple of years.
We’re incredibly happy about this deal and our future at Canpages. We’re also really excited about continuing to be a big part of the startup ecosystem in Toronto and hopefully helping the next batch of founders build, grow and run/sell their companies.
Thanks to you, Jonas, David and all of the StartupNorth team. And a huge thank you to the incredible Toronto/Canadian tech community. Noah, Paul and I plan to buy everyone a drink to celebrate at a suitable event soon (the next DemoCamp?).
Cheers!
Thanks so much for the lovely post Jevon (*wipes tear from eye*). GigPark would never have got to this point without the help and support of the incredible Canadian tech community. And StartupNorth – the blog + the great events you and the team organize – is at the heart of that community.
Noah and I first decided to start GigPark after attending the Mesh conference, we recruited Paul Dowman and all of the team through StartupNorth and Ruby pub nights and we launched our beta at a DemoCamp event. GigPark was truly born out of the grassroots Toronto tech community. We feel like we owe a lot to that community and are so thankful for all of the ideas, advice and support we've received over the last couple of years.
We're incredibly happy about this deal and our future at Canpages. We're also really excited about continuing to be a big part of the startup ecosystem in Toronto and hopefully helping the next batch of founders build, grow and run/sell their companies.
Thanks to you, Jonas, David and all of the StartupNorth team. And a huge thank you to the incredible Toronto/Canadian tech community. Noah, Paul and I plan to buy everyone a drink to celebrate at a suitable event soon (the next DemoCamp?).
Cheers!
Awesome, congrats! What does it mean for you guys for the next while… you part of the team or shortly out back in the community making it happen again?
Awesome, congrats! What does it mean for you guys for the next while… you part of the team or shortly out back in the community making it happen again?
The comment above from @Pema sums it up perfectly … you guys and the entire Toronto tech community rock and we are eternally grateful for your support.
The comment above from @Pema sums it up perfectly … you guys and the entire Toronto tech community rock and we are eternally grateful for your support.
Congratulations guys! Well done!
Congratulations guys! Well done!
Congratulations guys!
Congratulations guys!
Dang – I remember you guys just starting out – and now kicking ass and taking names.
Awesome :)
Dang – I remember you guys just starting out – and now kicking ass and taking names.
Awesome :)
Happy to see the hard work of Pema and Noah pay off. Anyone who is thinking about doing a start-up in the Toronto area should talk to these guys about their experience.
Happy to see the hard work of Pema and Noah pay off. Anyone who is thinking about doing a start-up in the Toronto area should talk to these guys about their experience.
Happy to see the hard work of Pema and Noah pay off. Anyone who is thinking about doing a start-up in the Toronto area should talk to these guys about their experience.