Premier Tim Houston Visits Optiml: A Celebration of Nova Scotia’s Innovation Ecosystem

Yesterday, the Optiml team had the honour of welcoming a very special guest to our Halifax office: Premier Tim Houston. As a company at the intersection of fintech, AI, and retirement planning, we were excited to share how Optiml is helping Canadians optimize their lifetime tax strategies and even more excited by his interest in our work.

The Premier’s visit was not just a recognition of Optiml’s growth, but also a moment that allowed us to reflect on what has made building our company in Nova Scotia so rewarding. His simple, sincere question of "How can I help?" reminded us how deeply committed this province is to fostering innovation.

Why Nova Scotia Has Been the Right Place to Build

There’s a growing ecosystem in Nova Scotia that’s enabling startups to thrive, and we’ve felt it every step of the way. From early-stage ideation to nationwide expansion, we’ve been fortunate to receive support from numerous organizations and institutions committed to helping companies like ours grow.

Here are just a few of the key partners who have helped Optiml get to where it is today:

• Invest Nova Scotia: Believed in us from the very beginning, helping us get off the ground and validating our vision.
• IRAP: Enabled us to accelerate the development of our core technology and enhance our optimization engine.
• ACOA: Played a critical role in scaling our operations, with dedicated support in marketing and growth strategy.
• Volta: Provided unmatched mentorship, strategic guidance, and access to a vibrant startup community.
• Creative Destruction Lab (CDL): Connected us with world-class advisors who helped sharpen our focus and execution.

Beyond government programs and accelerators, Halifax’s academic institutions have been equally important:

• Saint Mary’s University: Our collaboration has led to several features now used by thousands of Canadians every month.
• Dalhousie University: Through Professor Maria and her fintech leadership, we’ve remained plugged into the broader innovation community, pushing the province forward as an industry leader.

A Visit That Validated Our Vision

Premier Houston’s visit was more than symbolic, it was a clear indication that the Province of Nova Scotia is serious about innovation. He took time to understand what we’re building, asked thoughtful questions, and made it clear that his government wants to help companies like Optiml succeed.

And that’s been our experience all along. Whether it's early capital, technical acceleration, or access to talent, the support in Nova Scotia is real and it works.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Optiml

We’re more energized than ever. The support we’ve received has helped us build a platform that allows Canadians to:

• Optimize contributions and withdrawals across RRSPs, TFSAs, and non-registered accounts
• Make informed decisions about when to start CPP and OAS
• Plan for complex estates, businesses, real estate, and inheritances
• Link their accounts directly to remove manual data entry

Our goal remains simple but ambitious: to help Canadians minimize lifetime taxes and retire with confidence, no matter their level of financial literacy.

Built in Nova Scotia. Built to Empower Canadians.

Having Premier Houston step into our office was a milestone moment, and a reminder that we’re not building Optiml alone, we’re building it within a community that believes in what we’re doing.

To all our partners, mentors, and supporters in Nova Scotia: thank you. To Premier Houston: your visit meant the world. And to any founder wondering if this province is the right place to build, our answer is a resounding yes.

We can’t wait for what’s next in 2026 and beyond.