Canada’s tech ecosystem is growing fast, but for many small and medium businesses, turning digital ideas into reality is still a challenge. Bridging strategy and execution in a way that actually works requires not just technical skill, but vision, creativity, and a deep understanding of how technology can serve people and businesses.
Temitope Benson, founder of Swash Digital, is quietly redefining that bridge. A product strategist and digital innovator, Temitope helps Canadian businesses transform their ideas into impactful digital solutions through his Calgary-based digital consulting agency.
In this interview, he shared his journey from arriving in Canada with a small family to building a thriving digital agency that empowers organizations through AI-driven tools and is bridging strategy and execution in the Canadian business landscape.
Q: Temitope, can you tell us how Swash Digital began and what it was like starting your journey in Canada?
I landed in Canada in 2021 with my small family, and navigating jobs and settling down was a great learning curve. Being a product expert and helping businesses thrive digitally, I realized I could flip that into a full-blown business.
So I took the leap, registered Swash Digital, and since then we’ve worked on digital projects, product development, and ideas for not-for-profits and small businesses — you name it. Canada gave me the opportunity, and I was determined to make the most of it.
Q: What will you say is the differentiating factor between Swash Digital and other digital agencies in Canada?
Fundamentally, our leadership is built on the experiences of individuals with at least a decade in digital technology. Personally, I have over 15 years of product management experience across industries and countries. Then the engineering side of Swash Digital is also deeply vast with core expertise of at least a decade through multiple industries.
Our philosophy is simply driven by the idea that technology is meant to make life easier for people and businesses. And it is based on this ideology that we have designed Swash Digital to not just be a digital consulting agency, but at our core, product-centric and user-centric. We are very mindful of delivering products to users thoughtfully, considering both current functionality and scalability.
We also believe the dynamics of consulting and the ecosystem are changing. You don’t need as many people to deliver as much result as you would have two, three, or four years ago. So we focus on operational efficiency and how we can achieve maximum value with minimal effort. This shift has greatly enhanced our efficiency and how we deliver solutions.
Q: Having embraced AI-accelerated development, how do you ensure speed never compromises quality?
At Swash Digital, we use AI to speed up development, but we never let it operate alone. There’s always strong human oversight and product reasoning. AI can only build what it’s told, so our job is to guide it, think ahead, and ensure the solutions we create are scalable, ethical, and genuinely solve the problem.
Anybody can use AI to develop an app, but not everybody can truly create a product with AI. Our strong product experience ensures we stay rooted. For example, when we built the volunteer portal for SERV Food Bank, they wanted a platform where volunteers could just register and go.
But as a digital consulting agency with a strong product management and engineering background, we brainstormed how to make the system more efficient and sustainable. We expanded the scope to deliver a one-stop system that caters to the full ecosystem. We didn’t just create a sign-up system; we designed every workflow to anticipate real-life volunteer needs, from scheduling to document verification. That’s the level of thought and intentionality we bring.
Q: Can you share more about Swash Engage and why it became a flagship product?
The idea for Swash Engage came about when we were working on a project for a sports federation. They wanted to manage events, registrations, and engage with fans digitally—but there was no simple solution that could do all three. So we built one. Then we saw gaps and opportunities where the product could scale to serve multiple organizations like local clubs, event organizers, and even schools.
Because it was built with scalability in mind, we didn’t have to rebuild from scratch. The product architecture allowed us to add modules, so now we have event management, registration, payments, fan engagement, and analytics—all in one platform.
One of the unique features of Swash Engage is that brands can interact directly with consumers, reward engagement, and build loyalty. It’s streamlined, user-friendly, and focused on helping organizations engage and serve their communities effectively.
Q: So how does AI integration work on Swash Engage?
The AI aspect is mostly in data analytics and automation. Swash Engage can automatically segment users based on engagement, suggest personalized content, and forecast attendance and revenue based on historical data. That reduces manual effort and gives organizers actionable insights. But again, everything is overseen by humans to ensure accuracy and ethical use.
As mentioned before, we are very deliberate about AI ethics and security. Any automation, AI-driven insights, or predictions we deploy are double-checked by our team. We don’t fully trust AI to make decisions that affect people without human oversight.
Beyond Swash Engage, we’ve also applied the same product thinking and user-centered approach to other solutions for Canadian organizations.
Q: What about the volunteer management portal for NGOs?
The Covid-19 pandemic drove demand for volunteers, and NGOs needed a better way to manage them because existing tools were either outdated or not user-friendly. We built a system where volunteers can sign up, get screened, and log hours, while admins have full overview and control. It’s simple, efficient, and really makes a difference for Canadian not-for-profits.
Q: Where do you see Swash Digital in the next three to five years?
For me, it’s about impact—seeing digital solutions not just exist, but truly make someone’s life easier. I also want to create opportunities through jobs, learning, and mentorship, using technology to lift both businesses and individuals.
Our goal is to bridge gaps in talent and digital delivery using AI, while expanding flagship products like Swash Engage, the management portal, and others in view. Beyond serving clients, we’re exploring licensing and partnerships in other countries so the solutions we build can reach wider markets.
Looking Ahead: Impact, Innovation, and Opportunities
As the world continues to turn its attention toward innovation and AI-driven solutions, Temitope’s journey shows that vision, creativity, and strategic execution can converge to create meaningful impact in a new country. Through Swash Digital, his team is building platforms that connect brands to people, organizations to volunteers, and talent to opportunity.
For Canadian businesses and organizations looking to innovate with purpose—or anyone inspired by African excellence thriving on a global stage—Swash Digital offers a clear pathway to meaningful collaboration. Connect with Temitope and explore how a partnership with Swash Digital can elevate your organization.
Read
Twin Visionaries Behind ZuguTV: Reimagining African Entertainment for a Global Stage
