Canada's most populous city may be known for the CN Tower, its crack-smoking mayor, and a slew of odd nicknames, including Hogtown, Queen City, T-Dot, and Hollywood North.
But Toronto, roughly an hour-and-a-half flight from New York City, serves as a hotbed of innovation with creative startups and cool small businesses making their homes in the city.
From a sustainable poutine eatery to a biometrics device manufacturer, these are the companies helping Toronto emerge as one of the most biz-friendly cities in North America.
Always Dial a Bottle Toronto
What it is: A beer and liquor delivery service.
What makes it cool: Due to consumption laws in Ontario, all alcohol must be purchased through a government-authorized shop. Luckily, at-home partiers can enjoy an ice cold Molson's or beverage of their choice by having it delivered to their doorstep.
Always Dial A Bottle Toronto will deliver liquor, beer, and wine within one hour of all grocery and most liquor store locations. It charges $8 plus a 10% surcharge on the price of your loot.
The Beaver
What it is: A cafe inspired by NYC's late-night dining culture.
What makes it cool: Formerly an art gallery, The Beaver has become a chill restaurant where diners can fuel up from dawn to dusk. The joint is proud of its welcoming atmosphere, which offers coffee and breakfast in the morning, and cocktails and DJ-hosted events at night.
The menu boasts plenty of vegan- and vegetarian-friendly options, but if you're craving a lamb burger or a pulled pork sandwich, they've got that, too. Check out the rotating art exhibits and nightly Netflix and Beaver-themed trivia.
Bionym
What it is: A startup that wants to make passwords obsolete.
What makes it cool: This University of Toronto-born startup is the maker of Nymi, a small wearable device that measures your heartbeat and turns your unique cardiac rhythm into a biometric I.D. While you wear the bracelet, your car, computer, smartphone, and other devices that require a password will recognize you and unlock.
Bionym President Andrew D'Souza says the Nymi could mean the end of passwords and pin numbers. You can preorder the Nymi for $79 on its website.
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