Your thoughts on winning the CanadianSME National Business Award
This award is a proud moment for the iFinance team- for every developer, product lead, and team member who helped bring our vision to life. A decade ago, we invested millions into technology before issuing a single loan, because we believed the future would be digital, automated, and customer-first.
That early conviction, while risky, is now paying off. Today, our platforms serve thousands across Canada with speed, transparency, and intelligence. This recognition affirms that we made the right decisions early on. We’ve come a long way, but the next decade holds even more promise. We’re just getting started
A special message or advice to small business owners
Trust your long-term vision even when it feels too ambitious or uncertain. We built our lending platform before we had a single client. Everyone thought it was risky. But we believed in the need, the purpose, and the people behind it. You don’t need perfection to begin. You need conviction, a mission that matters, and a team that believes in it with you. Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation it comes from shared effort, humility, and resilience. Build with intention. Stay close to your purpose. Your business isn’t just about profit, it’s about solving real problems. That’s where the impact and the growth lives.
Réal Breton
CEO of iFinance Canada
Réal Breton is the CEO of iFinance Canada and founder of Iceberg Finance Group. He launched the company from scratch starting with just an Excel sheet and a big vision. Today, iFinance is one of Canada’s fastest-growing fintech lenders, with over $2B in loan applications. Réal led the acquisition and digital transformation of iFinance, investing early in proprietary tech. His leadership is grounded in innovation, team collaboration, and making financing more accessible for Canadians.
