Our Story

Our Mission

We're obsessed with building better eCommerce experiences. For everyone.

Since 2004, we've been designing complete eCommerce solutions that enable ease, scale and certainty for our clients. Continuous investment in the technology and services that support the growth of our own boutique marketplaces, Homesquare and Cymax Business, and multichannel success across other leading marketplaces represent a critical competitive advantage for our clients in a complex ecosystem.

The research and development, innovation, data and insights realized over 17 years, empower us with the tools and the network required for sustainable growth - our clients benefit from the lessons we've learned and the efficiencies we've built. We're an extension of their team, providing access to the tools and services they need to compete and win. Cymax Group represents a simple solution that combines experience with technology.

Homesquare and Cymax Business offer exclusive access to new markets and consumers; Channel Gate, our multichannel management platform delivers integrated tech and services across leading marketplaces, and Freight Club provides retailers access to an expanded carrier network and enterprise rates through its logistics tech platform.

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Agile eCommerce solutions for precision control and accelerated growth

Company Timeline

The beginning

Cymax launched as a simple website, selling media furniture. We've changed a lot over the years, but one thing has stayed the same - the original problem-solving attitude that has fueled discovery and innovation for almost 20 years!

Vendor portal

This was a pivotal moment in our history. The portal enabled vendors to process orders and cancellations easily with no oversight or facilitation required – a big win for efficiency and resource-management.

Cymax reaches 170 microsites

Before Google updated its algorithm, online marketing relied on having categorically relevant domains. Cymax developed a portfolio of 170 diverse microsites which led to growth and expansion into new markets, even during the recession.

Amazon marketplace

We quickly realized the potential of leveraging Amazon’s marketplace program early. Amazon rapidly became a notable channel for us and now represents a significant percent of our marketplace sales.

Walmart marketplace

When Cymax integrated with Walmart, our ability to fill a void in Walmart’s product offerings was quickly realized. With a breadth of product assortment that included furniture and home accessories at a range of price points and styles, Walmart customers now had the benefit of choice.

Freight Club launch

Cymax Group leveraged over a decade’s worth of shipping and logistics knowledge to create Freight Club, an all-in-one shipping marketplace. Freight Club was a major step Cymax Group took to use its industry knowledge to support and advocate for other businesses.

$25M USD Raise

Cymax raised $25M USD, the biggest in company history, led by Frind Holdings, BDC Ventures and Salman Partners. Frind Holdings is a venture of Markus Frind, Founder of Plenty of Fish.

Homesquare launch

Homesquare was launched with the vision of inspiring better home design by connecting designers and consumers to a large online selection of curated collections at entry to mid-level prices.

Muzeboard launch

Muzeboard enables our retailers to curate custom product selections into sets and bundles. With Muzeboard, retailers can leverage social media culture to market unique aesthetics that can be purchased in sets that increase average order value and conversions.

Channel Gate launch

Channel Gate represents our commitment to a holistic and accessible eCommerce platform that connects and accelerates our partners' growth, allowing manufacturers to leverage a single product feed to sell across multiple channels.

Rizwan Somji appointed CEO

In January 2019, Rizwan Somji was appointed CEO. Riz is best known for his talent for cultivating a data-driven, results-oriented culture. Riz has led award-winning digital transformation, growth and profitability.

Cymax Group becomes Cymax Group Technologies Ltd.

To better reflect our ambitious vision for the future of eCommerce, we changed our corporate name to Cymax Group Technologies Ltd. This refresh captures our founding spirit of innovation and reflects the collaborative culture we work hard to cultivate.

Our Team

Rizwan Somji
Rizwan Somji
CEO
Chris Randall
Chris Randall
Senior Vice President, Freight Club
Gord Elder
Gord Elder
Vice President, Products & Technology
Jennifer Yong
Jennifer Yong
Vice President, Legal
Hendra Wijaya
Hendra Wijaya
Vice President, Operations
Zarine Ali Halim
Zarine Ali Halim
Vice President, eCommerce
Brad Kent
Brad Kent
Vice President, Analytics and Engineering
Diana Bartolic
Diana Bartolic
VP, People & Culture
Markus Frind
Markus Frind
Chair
Andrew Lugsdin
Andrew Lugsdin
Director
Rob Williams
Rob Williams
Director
Sarah Kavanagh
Sarah Kavanagh
Director
Eric Patel
Eric Patel
Director
Rizwan Somji
Rizwan Somji
CEO

Riz joined Cymax Group in 2015 as head of technology and was appointed COO in 2018. Riz is a genuine, high-energy leader who empowers his team with the tools they need to have fun and succeed.

His leadership has guided the company through a period of rapid growth and pivotal award-winning digital transformation across all brands, including Freight Club and Channel Gate, since becoming CEO in 2019.

Riz participates in several advisory boards, fundraising groups, and mentorship programs. As a volunteer coach for the Shaheen Football Club for over 20 years, he believes that social responsibility is critical to both corporate and personal growth.

Riz holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of British Columbia where he co-founded ResponseTek.

In 2020, Riz was awarded the distinction of Business Person of the Year by the Burnaby Board of Trade. Riz is also a proud EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2021 Pacific Winner.

2021 winner EY entrepreneur of the year
LinkedIn |
Chris Randall
Chris Randall
Senior Vice President, Freight Club

Chris brings considerable experience in customer success and sales management. His previous roles include chief customer officer for ResponseTek, and vice president of North American sales for ZephyrTel.

LinkedIn |
Gord Elder
Gord Elder
Vice President, Products & Technology

Gord has extensive experience in product strategy and development for SaaS products and platforms across various markets. He has previously held roles at Ignite Technologies as vice president of product and ResponseTek, a company he co-founded, as vice president of product and technology.

LinkedIn |
Jennifer Yong
Jennifer Yong
Vice President, Legal

Jennifer is a passionate, practical, and collaborative legal advisor. Prior to her in-house roles focused on building out the legal function at high-growth tech companies, she was in private practice where she worked with a wide range of business clients including local Indigenous communities. Jennifer holds the designation of Certified In-house Counsel-Canada. She is on the board of directors of City Opera Vancouver and a volunteer and BC Council member with Girl Guides of Canada.

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Hendra Wijaya
Hendra Wijaya
Vice President, Operations

Hendra has extensive expertise in leadership through business optimization and transformational change delivery with PwC Canada and Accenture. He specializes in operations and supply chain transformation and optimization projects across a variety of sectors including retail, energy and resources, financial services, public sector, and consumer goods. He is consistently recognized as a top performer and experienced team leader who is passionate about solving complex problems and motivate cross-functional teams to achieve personal and organizational objectives.

LinkedIn |
Markus Frind
Markus Frind
Chair

Markus, Cymax Group's largest shareholder, is a technology industry thought-leader and founder of Plenty of Fish Media Inc. (“Plenty of Fish”), an online dating website which sold to Match Group, Inc. (“Match.com”) in 2015. Markus is CEO of Frind Properties and Proprietor of award-winning Frind Estate Winery in West Kelowna, where he combines his passions for technology and agriculture.

LinkedIn |
Andrew Lugsdin
Andrew Lugsdin
Director

Andrew is a co-founder and partner at Framework Venture Partners. He has over 15 years of venture capital experience and over 25 years of experience in the IT and Telecom sectors. Prior to Framework, Andrew was a Partner at the BDC IT Venture Fund and managed a number of portfolio companies through exits.

LinkedIn |
Rob Williams
Rob Williams
Director

Rob is known for getting results, both individually and by hiring and developing high-performing teams. He has over 25 years of leadership experience in eCommerce, retail and SaaS.

He currently consults around the world on disruptive innovation, eCommerce and helping companies build mechanisms to scale for growth. Rob has extensive experience in vendor management, how to add selection, negotiations, private label strategy and supply chain project prioritization. He provides actions, insightful information within the boundaries of compliance for investment firm clients.

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Sarah Kavanagh
Sarah Kavanagh
Director

Sarah has extensive experience on public, private and crown boards in Canada and the US. Her career experience includes time in investment banking, capital markets and corporate financial management.

Sarah's expertise includes financial and capital markets, risk management, strategic financial and acquisition experience, IPO expertise, financial restructuring, leadership experience and human resources expertise.

LinkedIn |
Zarine Ali Halim
Zarine Ali Halim
Vice President, eCommerce

Zarine joined Cymax in 2016 and has since risen through the ranks to be the VP of eCommerce. She has extensive expertise in developing and executing strategic roadmaps as well as managing medium to large projects. In the past, she has held roles with Nissan and currently at Cymax, she is a key player in driving sales and growth for the organization.


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Brad Kent
Brad Kent
Vice President, Analytics and Engineering

Brad is a passionate leader of analytics and data management, helping organizations to better know their customers, evolving their marketing capabilities and applying new technologies into their business. He holds a Certified Management Accounting designation and a Master’s Degree in Management of Analytics from Queens. Brad has 15+ years of experience across a range of high-paced industries to implement big data technology, personalization, digital analytics, machine learning, segmentation modeling and natural language processing in both B2B and B2C environments.

LinkedIn |
Eric Patel
Eric Patel
Director

Eric is former Chair of Galvanize, a Canadian software unicorn, sold to Diligent in 2021, and Chair of eCommerce software company Mobify. He joins with 17 years of career board experience across private and public companies in multiple sectors. He has been recognized as an NACD Distinguished Board Fellow. Eric's last role was as chief financial officer of Crystal Decisions.

LinkedIn |
Diana Bartolic
Diana Bartolic
VP, People & Culture

Diana is a dynamic and engaging leader with over 30 years’ experience in human resources and integrating people and culture with business strategy, and is passionate about helping organizations be their best. With a strong track record of developing high performance teams, Diana is recognized as a valued business partner and mentor who strives to deliver a distinct talent experience to the organizations she supports. Highlights of her career include developing strong teams, promoting future leaders, and helping organizations be successful.

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