In an exclusive interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Hovsep Seraydarian, Founder and CEO of Digilite, shares his insights on leveraging AI, automation, and digital transformation to scale SMBs and mid-sized enterprises.
With over 15 years of experience and a portfolio of 2,000+ global projects, Hovsep has built a reputation for helping businesses optimize operations, enhance efficiency, and drive revenue growth. As a fourth-generation entrepreneur, he understands the challenges that SMBs face and provides tailored, data-driven solutions that align with business objectives.
In this interview, Hovsep discusses emerging trends in digital marketing, the evolving role of AI in business growth, and how Canadian companies can strengthen their digital footprint. Whether you’re a small business owner or an established entrepreneur, his strategic advice will help you navigate the digital landscape with confidence.
Hovsep Seraydarian is a seasoned entrepreneur, digital strategist, and product developer with over 15 years of experience in Fintech, Proptech, Legaltech, and digital transformation. As the founder and leader of Digilite, a full-service digital agency with a global footprint, he has spearheaded the completion of 2,000+ projects across Canada, the U.S., the UAE, and beyond.
Coming from a lineage of four generations of entrepreneurs, Hovsep’s expertise extends far beyond traditional digital services. He specializes in scaling SMBs and mid-sized enterprises, crafting custom technology solutions, and driving business growth through AI, automation, and digital innovation. His deep-rooted understanding of business consulting, financial reviews, and data-driven decision-making has positioned him as a trusted advisor for companies looking to optimize operations, improve efficiency, and enhance revenue streams.
Digilite has completed 2,000 projects globally. How do you ensure quality and innovation while serving varied markets from Canada to The United States and the UAE?
At Digilite quality and innovation aren’t just buzzwords, they are baked into our process and DNA. We serve a diverse range of clients across different industries and regions and languages, so our approach is highly adaptable. Our in-house team of 40+ specialists ensures that every product or service gets the attention it deserves, leveraging a combination of local market insights and global best practices and personal experience.
We maintain consistency through tailored strategies, as every market behaves differently, so we develop solutions that align with the cultural and business expectations while maintaining high usability and performance standards. Our iterative feedback-driven approach ensures flexibility and rapid adjustments to evolving business needs.
Our ability to blend local expertise with global trends keeps us at the forefront of digital innovation while maintaining the highest quality across all our projects.
Your agency focuses on “exceptional digital experiences” in web design, applications, and mobile development. Can you provide a case study where Digilite helped a small or medium business enhance its digital presence?
One of our most dynamic projects involved developing a real estate service platform designed to connect realtors, buyers, sellers and homeowners with trusted home-related professionals. The goal was to simplify the process of finding and scheduling top-rated service providers, offering users a seamless experience with instant booking and transparent pricing.
Challenges:
- The project was initially developed by another team, requiring us to take over and restructure the development process while maintaining continuity.
- The client frequently introduced new workflows and feature requests mid-development, requiring a highly adaptable and collaborative approach.
- The platform had to support mobile payments, fixed-rate pricing, custom quotes and a streamlined user experience across iOS and Android.
Our Approach:
- Restructured Development & QA Processes – We implemented rigorous quality assurance measures to ensure stability and performance.
- Agile & Flexible Development – Our team adapted to evolving requirements by maintaining regular client meetings and an open feedback loop.
- Enhanced Marketplace Features – We refined the app’s booking system, payment processing, and user interface to enhance usability and engagement.
- Seamless Mobile Integration – Ensured a consistent and intuitive experience across both iOS and Android platforms.
- Advanced Admin Dashboard – We built a web application for the client to be able to manage the day-to-day activities and have a birds-eye view of everything.
Results:
- Successfully launched a fully functional, user-friendly app that streamlined real estate service bookings.
- Improved user experience, making it easier for homeowners and realtors to connect with trusted professionals.
- Scaled the platform to support business growth and mobile transactions, enhancing both user and service provider satisfaction.
This project highlights how Digilite can rescue, refine, and scale digital platforms, ensuring that even complex and evolving projects reach their full potential.
With 40+ industry experts and 20+ years of experience, how does Digilite approach technology solutions differently for SMBs compared to larger enterprise clients?
The biggest difference is the level of customization and scalability we bring to each type of client.
For small and medium-sized businesses, we focus on cost-effective solutions that deliver results. This often means leveraging automation tools, and pre-built integrations to keep development costs down without sacrificing quality. SMBs typically need rapid deployment and an ROI-driven approach, so we prioritize building minimum viable products (MVPs) quickly, allowing them to test and iterate based on real-world feedback. Every digital initiative we create for an SMB is designed to drive tangible revenue growth, whether through better lead conversion, e-commerce optimization, or a stronger digital presence.
For enterprises, our focus shifts to scalability, security, and complex system integrations. These clients require robust architectures that can handle high traffic, extensive data, and strict compliance standards. We implement AI-powered solutions, advanced analytics, and process automation to help enterprises optimize decision-making and streamline operations. Additionally, enterprise clients often need seamless integrations with legacy systems, CRMs, ERPs, and cloud platforms, which requires a more customized and technically sophisticated approach.
Digilite aligns technology solutions with the client’s growth stage, industry needs, and long-term business goals to ensure sustainable success.
Your team has won 20+ industry awards. What key principles guide your approach to digital marketing and technology solutions that set you apart in a competitive landscape?
Three core principles define our approach:
- Innovation with Purpose: We don’t just follow trends; we leverage the latest technologies (AI, automation, machine learning) to drive measurable business outcomes.
- Data-Backed Decision Making: Every marketing and tech strategy we implement is grounded in analytics, ensuring that our solutions are ROI-focused.
- It’s Always About the Why: Every project starts with understanding the deeper purpose behind it. Whether it’s a website, a digital campaign, or an application, we focus on the core business objectives and user needs, ensuring that every solution is built with intention and impact.
As we conclude, what strategic advice would you offer Canadian SMBs looking to enhance their digital footprint and leverage technology for business growth?
For Canadian SMBs, digital transformation is no longer optional, it’s essential for growth. Investing in automation and AI can streamline operations and improve efficiency, while an omnichannel approach ensures that businesses engage customers across websites, social media, and marketplaces. Prioritizing SEO and content marketing remains one of the most cost-effective ways to drive long-term visibility and lead generation. Leveraging data and analytics allows businesses to refine their strategies based on real insights rather than guesswork.
Beyond technology, one of the most impactful steps businesses can take is to buy local and support Canadian agencies, startups, and service providers. Investing in homegrown talent and technology strengthens the local economy and fosters innovation within the country’s business ecosystem. By combining the right digital strategies with a commitment to supporting local businesses, Canadian SMBs can position themselves for sustained growth in an increasingly competitive market.
