Lightspeed partners with Digital Main Street to help SMBs achieve omnichannel potential

Through ShopHERE powered by Google, one of the programmes offered by DMS, Lightspeed is helping small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) access its omnichannel platform and the tools they need to thrive. Lightspeed is also committed to supporting the other Digital Main Street programs and support offerings, joining in the mission of helping as many SMBs grow through the adoption of digital tools and technologies as possible.

“At the heart of every thriving community is a healthy main street. Providing businesses with the right digital tools to adapt and succeed is what Lightspeed does.” said Peter Dougherty, Vice-President of Partnerships at Lightspeed. “With DMS, Lightspeed will have a greater opportunity to help SMBs access and benefit from our omnichannel solutions. We remain focused on driving innovation and delivering those democratizing tools, so that we can all come back to a stronger, healthier and more diverse post-pandemic economy.”

To be eligible for ShopHERE, businesses must be registered in Ontario, and have fewer than 10 employees (or fewer than 25 employees if they are a cafe, restaurant, or bar). Additionally, businesses cannot be part of a corporate chain or franchise.

Cloud-based, omnichannel capacity was once considered a “nice-to-have feature” but with the global COVID-19 pandemic, it has become a “must-have.” Necessary not just to remain operational but to capitalize on changing consumer behaviour. Lightspeed’s mission for sixteen years has been to future-proof independent businesses by providing them the best in digital platforms and strategies.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lightspeed to our group of partners in support of Digital Main Street.” said John Kiru, Executive Director of the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas and founder of DMS. “Now more than ever small business owners across the country need to continue embracing the concept of Digital Transformation not only as part of their recovery but also to thrive in the ever changing consumer landscape. Bringing Lightspeed on board with their focus on omnichannel will be a welcomed addition and support resource for our business community.”

Through this partnership Lightspeed and DMS are helping keep SMBs resilient and pushing forward innovation that will future-proof the economy by stimulating economic growth and equipping businesses with the technology to take on any challenge.

“As local economies continue to deal with the impacts of the pandemic, our government is committed to ensuring that our small- and medium-sized enterprises don’t just survive, but thrive,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. “We are proud to support the partnership between Digital Main Street and Lightspeed and look forward to seeing the impact the platform will have on future proofing small businesses in our communities.”

DMS is proud of doing its part in the coming recovery and helping resilient merchants continue their drive for success.

About Lightspeed

Lightspeed (NYSE and TSX: LSPD) powers complex small and medium-sized businesses with its cloud-based, omnichannel commerce platforms in over 100 countries. With smart, scalable and dependable point of sale systems, Lightspeed provides all-in-one solutions that drive innovation and digital transformation within the retail, hospitality, and golf industries. Its product suite enables SMBs to sell across channels, manage operations, engage with consumers, accept payments, and ultimately grow their business.

Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Lightspeed is trusted by favorite local businesses worldwide, where communities go to shop and dine. Lightspeed has staff located in North America, Europe, and Australia.

About Digital Main Street

Digital Main Street was created by the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) with direct support from the City of Toronto. DMS is also supported by a group of strategic business partners, including Google, Mastercard, Shopify, Microsoft, Facebook, Intuit QuickBooks, Square, Yellow Pages and Lightspeed. A $42.5-million investment from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) and a $7.45-million investment from the Government of Ontario brought together the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association, the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas, Communitech and Invest Ottawa to expand the Digital Main Street Platform in order to support more businesses going digital in response to the impacts of COVID-19 in Ontario.

About FedDev Ontario

For more than 10 years, FedDev Ontario has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation and growth in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving their productivity, growing their revenues, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may include forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (“forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements are statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions and are identified by words such as “will”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “estimates” or similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Such statements are based on current expectations of Lightspeed’s management and inherently involve numerous risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, including economic factors. A number of risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, including, among other factors, those risk factors identified in our most recent Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, under “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Information Form, and in our other filings with the Canadian Securities regulatory authorities and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Committee, all of which are available under our profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned to consider these and other factors carefully when making decisions with respect to Lightspeed’s subordinate voting shares and not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are not guarantees of future performance and, while forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions that Lightspeed considers reasonable, actual events and results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made by Lightspeed. Except as may be expressly required by applicable law, Lightspeed does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.