Market Overview - Commerce Hosted by Moneris and Interac @ TechTO HQ
The Future of Commerce: Adapting to Tomorrow’s Economy
Join us for a forward-looking conversation on the future of commerce, where technology, consumer behaviour, and macroeconomic forces converge. As inflation, shifting interest rates, global supply chain dynamics, and evolving digital ecosystems reshape the landscape, businesses are rethinking how, where, and why people buy. This event will bring together leaders and innovators across retail, fintech, and technology to explore what’s driving change—and what it means for the next generation of commerce. From AI-driven personalization to sustainable logistics and new payment models, we’ll dive into the trends shaping growth and resilience in an uncertain economic climate.
Agenda
1:00 - 1:20pm : Arrivals & Networking
1:20 - 1:50pm: Research presented by Elevate
1:50- 2:00pm: Peer Discussion
1:50 - 2:35pm: 3 x Startups Presentation in-line with trends discussed in the research
2:35 - 3:00pm: Fireside chat with Gad Elharrar, Vice President of Product for Small to Medium Business at Moneris, hosted by Lisa Zarzeczny, Co-Founder & CEO at Elevate
Featured Speakers
Lisa Zarzeczny is a passionate advocate of Canada’s tech and innovation economy. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of Elevate, a not for profit organization that unites world-class innovators to catalyze transformation across our tech ecosystem. Lisa was instrumental in launching Elevate Festival, which grew from 5,000 attendees to over 20,000 in three short years and welcomed speakers including Michelle Obama, Al Gore, Eric Schmidt, Martha Stewart, Venus Williams, and many more.
Previously, Lisa oversaw marquee events and educational programs at MaRS Discovery District, one of the world’s largest urban innovation hubs. She graduated from McGill University with a B.A Honours in History & Political Science.
Gad Elharrar is the Vice President of Product for Small to Medium Business at Moneris. He has deep expertise in Payments and Banking with 15+ years of experience working for top-tier consulting and banking organizations. He focuses his time at the intersection of technology, product, and strategy to create lasting impact for clients. Gad is a results-driven leader who uses collaboration and a relentless customer focus to solve complex strategic issues and execute with effectiveness.
In his current role, Gad leads the SMB segment at Moneris, overseeing the growth strategy and maintaining P&L ownership and product accountability.
In his spare time, he loves to chase around his two young children, coach their sports teams, and travel.
Stay tuned for more speakers announcement!
Big Thanks to Our Research Partner and Sponsors
Research for this market overview will be presented by Elevate.
If you would like to learn more about our sponsors, please visit:
We are officially part of Toronto Tech Week 2025, a weeklong citywide collection of events to connect and celebrate the builders. June 23 → June 27, 2025 | torontotechweek.com.