When APR Beauty’s founder, Irene Zheng, describes her company, she starts with the meaning behind its name: Action. Perfection. Revolution. Those three words capture not just the brand’s initials, but its philosophy, one that has transformed a young company into a global beauty solutions provider competing with industry giants decades older.

Founded in 2019, APR Beauty delivers end-to-end beauty solutions, from packaging design and formulation to filling and distribution. What began as a small team with big ideas has become a trusted partner for major cosmetics and skincare brands worldwide. “We’re competing with companies that have been around for 50 or 100 years,” Zheng says. “But our advantage is that we’re not tied to old systems or old ways of thinking.”

Innovation and Sustainability at the Core

That forward-looking mindset is evident in everything APR Beauty does. The company’s products are vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated with clean, sustainable materials, while its packaging reflects a commitment to environmental responsibility. “We design everything with innovation in mind, not just what’s trending now, but what will make sense years from today,” Zheng explains.

APR’s research and design teams are encouraged to explore freely, a culture Zheng says is key to their success. “We don’t micromanage. Our people are experts in what they do, and we trust them to experiment,” she says. That freedom is turning into tangible results: the company plans to expand its SPF and powder product lines while increasing its R&D budget to support new formulations and sustainable packaging breakthroughs.

A New Home Built for Growth

Inside a bright, high-ceilinged space in Richmond Hill, engineers at Maple Advanced Robotics Inc. (MARI) are teaching robots to think. Co-founder and Executive Vice President Dr. Yi Li calls their approach “physical AI.” It represents a new generation of intelligent robotics that can sense, understand, and perform skilled work. The intelligence is built in, allowing users to operate the robots simply, without writing code or managing complex programming.

The goal is simple but ambitious: make automation easier and more accessible for everyone. “Most industrial robots look impressive, but behind every motion are hours or even days of coding,” Dr. Li explains. “We wanted to change that. Our mission is to give robots vision and intelligence so they can do skilled work autonomously.”

From Challenge to Breakthrough

MARI’s journey began with a single challenge. In 2018, engineers were tasked with automating the precision sanding of car roofs for Magna International, a leading Canadian automotive technology company. The process once required a month of programming by highly specialized staff.

“It was a real-world problem that showed us what was missing,” says Dr. Li. “We saw the need to automate not just the task, but the thinking behind it.”

With funding from Next Generation Manufacturing Canada, MARI turned that challenge into a research partnership and ultimately a breakthrough. The result was a “place and go” robotic system that lets operators simply set the part in position and press a button. The robot does the rest, using AI-driven vision to analyze shape, plan its own path, and complete the job with consistent precision.

What began as an automotive innovation soon found new applications in woodworking and other industries. “We realized smaller shops also needed automation,” says Dr. Li. “Our technology makes robotics practical for companies that do not have specialized technicians or large budgets.”

Physical AI, Real Results

Dr. Li describes MARI’s technology as a blend of hardware, software, and intelligence. “It is not just an algorithm,” he says. “It is a complete product, a combination of physical machinery and digital thinking that simplifies complex work.”

That innovation recently earned MARI first place at the Hanover Messe Robotics Award, one of the world’s top honours in automation. The judges cited the company’s no-programming, fully autonomous capability as a global leap forward in robotic adaptability. The recognition helped MARI expand its distribution into Europe and attract new commercial partnerships.

Collaboration and Culture

Behind the technology is a multidisciplinary team of engineers in mechanical design, control systems, and 3D vision. According to Dr. Li, they share an “engineering culture built on curiosity and proof.” “We encourage ideas, and our process validates everything,” he says. “If the robot works, it works, and the idea is proven.”

That culture of hands-on innovation has made MARI a sought-after collaborator for local manufacturers, especially in the region’s woodworking sector. One Richmond Hill cabinet maker now uses MARI’s technology to improve productivity and reduce the need for specialized programming expertise. That spirit of collaboration extends beyond projects to the people themselves, forming a team that thrives on curiosity and shared discovery.

People Who Build the Future

For Dr. Li, innovation is only possible because of the people behind it. MARI’s Richmond Hill team brings together experts in design, control systems, and 3D vision, all working side by side in one space. “We look for curious, practical engineers,” he says. “People who want to see their ideas tested and proven. That mindset drives us.”

Richmond Hill has helped MARI find those people. Its proximity to leading universities and research centres makes it easier to recruit top graduates and experienced professionals. The city’s strong technology community also provides a valuable network of peers and suppliers. “It is a great place to attract and keep talent,” Dr. Li adds. “People enjoy working here and living here.”

Rooted in Richmond Hill

MARI’s headquarters in Richmond Hill was a deliberate choice. The company needed a space that could house both advanced research and hands-on engineering, a place where design, testing, and production could happen together. Today, that facility is where MARI’s team develops its 3D vision systems, builds robotic prototypes, and validates the software that powers its “physical AI.”

“Richmond Hill is a great location for companies like ours,” Dr. Li says. “It is close to customers, offers excellent access to transportation routes, and provides strong innovation support from the City. It is also a place where we can bring our ideas to life, from the first concept to the finished robot.”

The company also invests back into the community through sponsorship of FIRST Robotics teams, encouraging young engineers to explore careers in automation. “There is a long road ahead for robotics,” Dr. Li says. “But it is the right road. It is a field where creativity meets engineering, and where young people can truly build the future.”

Looking Ahead

Next, MARI is expanding its robotic capabilities into welding, another industry facing labour shortages. “Robots will take on repetitive, difficult tasks, and people will focus on fine-tuning and inspection,” says Dr. Li. “That is what we mean by human-robot collaboration, letting machines handle the hard work so people can do the smart work.”

From sanding car roofs to welding steel frames, MARI’s story is one of intelligent evolution. Its success is not just about teaching robots to work. It is about making automation more human and proving that innovation born in Richmond Hill can change how the world builds.

When you walk into Merry Electronics’ Canadian headquarters in Richmond Hill, you’re stepping into a place where the future of sound is being imagined. From noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds to state-of-the-art subwoofers and in-car audio systems, Merry is the creative force behind products sold by some of the world's most recognized audio brands.

Unlike many consumer electronics companies, Merry doesn’t market under its own label. Instead, the team specializes in design and prototyping, helping global brands bring their audio visions to life. “We build audio products for some of the most reputable companies on the planet,” explains Bill Burrows, General Manager and Director of Merry Electronics North America. “Sometimes we design a product from the ground up. Other times, we fill a gap for companies that have expertise in one area but need support in another.”

That flexibility is backed by a $1.3 billion Taiwanese-based parent company with more than 12,000 employees worldwide. In Richmond Hill, Merry’s 26-person team focuses on design and prototyping, and they’re making a global impact. Recently, the team patented a breakthrough technology that integrates lighting with audio output, creating a new and unique way to experience sound in vehicles, home speakers, and commercial environments. Another innovation, dubbed the “pizza box” subwoofer, delivers deep bass performance in a flat form factor that slides neatly under a car seat. Both technologies were conceived, prototyped, and refined right here in Richmond Hill.

The work is made possible by a deeply skilled team of engineers. “We’ve got PhDs, electronics specialists, acoustics experts, mechanical engineers, and test engineers,” says Burrows. “They’re the cream of the crop, and what we do here is very specialized.”

For Merry, Richmond Hill has proven to be the right place to grow. The location offers convenient access to Toronto Pearson International Airport, downtown Toronto, and a critical mass of technology companies that form a thriving ecosystem. Proximity to transit and major highways has also expanded the talent pool. “It’s much easier to attract and retain skilled people here,” notes Burrows, pointing out that many staff now enjoy shorter commutes, with one even able to walk to work.

Being part of Richmond Hill also means being connected to a diverse and welcoming community. International colleagues visiting from Asia, the U.S., and Europe appreciate the abundance of nearby hotels, restaurants, and cultural amenities. “Whether it’s bubble tea, Thai food, or Hong Kong barbecue, our guests love that everything is right here,” says Burrows.

The company also collaborates with other local businesses, from electronics partners like MIS Electronics to neighbourhood service providers, creating a strong sense of community. “There’s so much here, and often the solution to what we need is right across the street,” says Burrows.

Supported by introductions and networking opportunities facilitated through the City, Merry is positioning itself for continued growth in Canada. The Richmond Hill team is actively hiring engineers and exploring opportunities to add manufacturing capabilities alongside design and prototyping. “This is the centre of everything,” says Burrows. “We see ourselves expanding, innovating, and continuing to bring new ideas to market - all from right here in Richmond Hill.”

Founded 25 years ago in Richmond Hill, the company started as a security systems integrator. Today, it stands at the forefront of a new industry: AI-powered “smart government” technology that helps cities detect and respond to issues before residents even notice them.

“Five years ago, we began developing artificial intelligence solutions that turn ordinary service vehicles into mobile data systems,” says Roy Tal, CEO of Visual Defence. “They can spot road hazards, graffiti, damaged signage, or snow clearing needs automatically, helping municipalities manage resources efficiently and make daily life a little better for residents.”

The company’s flagship platform, CityRover, was first piloted right here in Richmond Hill. What began as a local experiment has since expanded across Canada and into the United States, earning Visual Defence and its municipal partners over 35 innovation awards along the way.

A Growing Industry with Local Roots

Visual Defence’s growth mirrors the rise of smart city technology worldwide, but Tal says the company’s foundation in Richmond Hill has been a strategic advantage. “The city has been an amazing partner,” he explains. “They were the first to test our system and believed in the vision early on.”

Being based in Richmond Hill also helps attract the kind of talent that drives innovation. “Our location gives us access to the best of both worlds,” says Tal. “We’re close to Toronto’s tech ecosystem but without the congestion. That balance makes it easier to hire and retain great people.”

Today, Visual Defence’s year-over-year growth is powered by a diverse team of AI developers, software engineers, project managers, and data specialists. Tal describes the culture as smart, engaged, and purpose-driven. “Our people take pride in knowing their work improves real communities,” he says. “It’s not abstract. You can see the results on the streets every day.”

Innovation That Keeps Moving

While its in-vehicle systems are transforming how cities manage maintenance, Visual Defence is already looking ahead. The company is developing edge-processing camera systems capable of analyzing data directly within the device, opening new possibilities for monitoring road conditions, environmental hazards, and emergency responses in real time.

Tal believes Richmond Hill’s innovation-friendly environment will continue to play a key role in that future. “It’s a supportive business community,” he says. “We collaborate with local suppliers, we’re part of the tech ecosystem here, and we’ve always felt the City wants to see businesses succeed.”

From its Richmond Hill base, Visual Defence is proving that innovation doesn’t just happen in labs, it happens on the streets, in motion, every day.

Twenty years ago, Wise Device Inc. (WDI) began as a basement operation with a bold idea: create technology that could make some of the world’s most complex tools faster, more accurate, and more reliable. Today, the Richmond Hill based company is a recognized leader in optical autofocus technology, holding numerous patents and setting standards used by global giants like Intel, Corning, and Samsung.

WDI operates behind the scenes, building components that other companies rely on to manufacture everything from computer chips and biomedical devices to TV screens. As an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) supplier, they provide the specialized expertise that many companies don’t have in-house. “We’ve become the name our customers ask for,” explains company president Halszka Weiss. “In flat panel display manufacturing, our autofocus solutions are the benchmark.”

That reputation has been hard-earned in a competitive industry where reverse engineering is common. WDI’s response has been to constantly innovate. Their Richmond Hill facility houses optical labs, laser-safe rooms, and a dedicated production line, where more than 75 employees, the majority of whom are highly trained engineers, push boundaries every day.

The company’s culture reflects its engineering roots, with an environment described as “open, like a research university.” Co-op students from universities across Canada bring fresh ideas, while a system for employees to pitch new product concepts ensures innovation flows from every corner of the business. Many of those ideas have become real projects, strengthening WDI’s reputation as an industry leader.

Though WDI’s customers are global, the company finds clear advantages in being rooted in Richmond Hill. The city’s central location makes it easy to attract talent from across the GTA and encourages in-person collaboration. Local sourcing has also become a strategic strength. “For specialized projects, it’s a huge advantage to have suppliers just down the street,” says Weiss. Circuit boards, mechanical parts, and other components are often procured locally, enabling faster turnaround and tighter quality control.Looking Ahead

As WDI celebrates its 20th anniversary, the team is proud of its journey from humble beginnings to a globally respected, family-owned business. But they aren’t standing still. The company is leveraging its core technology to expand into new fields, from drug discovery to cancer screening. “Our technology is used every day in critical operations around the world,” says Weiss. “The next step is bringing those same breakthroughs to entirely new industries.”

For Richmond Hill, WDI is a reminder that world-leading innovation doesn’t just happen in Silicon Valley or Shenzhen. Sometimes, it starts and grows into a global standard right here in our community.