From International Crisis Management to Canadian SME Transformation

20+ years applying strategic rigor to digital transformation

François Desruisseaux

Founder & Principal Strategist, Incubatr

After managing complex operations in 15+ countries for organizations like DFID and the UN, I discovered my true calling: applying this international expertise to help Canadian SMEs navigate digital transformation.

The Journey

My career began in high-stakes environments: coordinating humanitarian responses, managing multi-million dollar budgets, leading teams of 200+ people across continents. From post-conflict reconstruction in Africa to economic development programs in Asia, I learned one fundamental truth: successful transformation requires strategic clarity, not just technical execution.

"Managing a $50M humanitarian program taught me more about business efficiency than any MBA ever could."

When I returned to Canada, I noticed a pattern: SMEs were struggling with the same challenges I'd solved internationally—limited resources, unclear priorities, and overwhelming complexity. But instead of refugee camps and supply chains, it was CRM systems and websites.

The disconnect was striking: web agencies sold websites. IT consultants sold software. But nobody was asking the fundamental questions: What problem are we actually solving? What's the ROI? How does this fit into a broader strategy?

The Incubatr Difference

Incubatr was born from this realization. We don't start with technology—we start with your business challenges. We apply the same strategic frameworks used in billion-dollar international programs to your $50,000 digital transformation project.

The result? Canadian SMEs get access to world-class strategic thinking, combined with local expertise in government funding (ESSOR, CanExport, PCAN) and bilingual market realities.

Our Mission & Values

What drives everything we do

🎯 Strategic First

Technology is a tool, not the goal. We start with your business objectives and work backwards to the right solutions.

💰 ROI Obsessed

Every dollar invested must generate measurable value. We quantify time savings, revenue potential, and efficiency gains before recommending anything.

🤝 Partnership Model

We're not vendors—we're partners in your growth. Success-based fees for grants, transparent pricing, and knowledge transfer built into every engagement.

🌍 International + Local

World-class strategic expertise meets deep knowledge of Canadian grants, bilingual markets, and SME realities.

📊 Data-Driven

Decisions based on evidence, not trends. Benchmarking, competitive analysis, and financial modeling in every recommendation.

🚀 Execution Excellence

Strategy without execution is worthless. We deliver on time, on budget, with impeccable quality.

Our Areas of Expertise

Deep experience across industries and markets

Manufacturing & Production

Process automation, ERP/MES integration, production reporting, quality management

Professional Services

CRM automation, client portals, project management, time tracking, billing systems

Retail & E-commerce

Online stores, inventory management, omnichannel strategies, customer analytics

Export & International Trade

Market entry strategies, FTA compliance (CUSMA/CPTPP/CETA), export financing, EDC/BDC partnerships

Food & Beverage

Traceability systems, regulatory compliance, direct-to-consumer platforms, supply chain optimization

Construction & Engineering

Project management tools, estimating software, field service automation, document management

Transportation & Logistics

Fleet management, route optimization, real-time tracking, warehouse management systems

Healthcare & Wellness

Patient portals, appointment booking, compliance (PIPEDA/HIPAA), telehealth integration

Experience & Credentials

Proven track record across international and Canadian contexts

15+ Countries

Operations in Africa, Asia, Middle East, Europe

$50M+ Budgets Managed

DFID, UN, World Bank funded programs

200+ Team Members Led

Multicultural, multinational teams

20+ Years Strategic Consulting

Crisis management, development programs, business transformation

Government Grants Expert

ESSOR, CanExport, PCAN - 85-90% approval rate

Perfect Bilingualism

Native-level French & English

Why Work With Incubatr?

What makes us different from traditional agencies

We've Been There: Managed multi-million dollar projects with no margin for error. We bring that discipline to your $50k digital transformation.

No Vendor Lock-In: We build on open platforms (WordPress, Odoo, Zoho). You own your data, code, and infrastructure.

Grant Expertise That Pays: Our success-based model means we only win when you get funded. Average grants secured: $75k-150k per client.

International Network, Local Focus: Access to global best practices, adapted to Canadian SME realities and budgets.

Ready to Transform Your Business?

Let's discuss how our international expertise can accelerate your growth. First conversation free, no commitment.