Simpro Group Expands into Canada with New AI R&D Centre in Montréal

Montréal, August 31, 2026 – Simpro Group, the global leader in the AI-first operating platform for the field service trades, today announced the opening of a new research and development centre in downtown Montréal. Backed by an investment of tens of millions of dollars, the centre will house the team responsible for the agentic AI layer that powers Simpro’s entire operating platform and is expected to create up to 100 jobs over the next two years.

The Montréal team will define the foundations of the company’s AI operating system, Simpro Group’s Lightning – from the orchestration to the planning and runtime layers that allow AI agents to reason and act autonomously across all the job functions field service trades businesses need. The work pushes the frontier of applied AI in vertical SaaS, moving to an operating model in which autonomous agents become the primary interface between field service trade businesses, their operations and their customers.

“Our expansion into Montréal marks a pivotal milestone in Simpro Group’s journey to revolutionize the field service trades industry. We are investing tens of millions of dollars into this new R&D centre because we believe Montréal is the premier destination for the world-class applied AI talent we need to scale our vision,” said Fred Voccola, Chairman and CEO of Simpro Group. “This strategic move allows us to build cutting-edge, high-velocity solutions that put breakthrough innovation directly into the hands of our 130,00+ users worldwide.”

Simpro Group’s Lightning is a purpose-built, AI-native operating platform for the field service trades, designed to increase profitability and boost efficiency without multiplying headcount. Unlike typical AI offerings from competitors, Lightning was architected from the ground up to serve a foundational, unified AI-first operating layer across three of the company’s field service management solutions: Simpro Lightning (Australia, New Zealand, North America), AroFlo Lightning (Australia and New Zealand) and Big Change Lightning (UK and Europe).

Montréal was selected for its deep pool of world-class applied AI talent and its concentration of leading research institutions. The city’s diversity and global outlook also provide an ideal environment to develop intelligent, adaptable AI solutions across a wide range of verticals and operational contexts.

“Montréal is a premier hub for world-class applied AI talent, and standing up our agentic platform team here is the most strategic investment we can make for our customers,” said Tchakmakjian, Chief Product and Business Development Officer of Simpro Group. “The Montréal team is building the core intelligence of our operating platform, autonomous agents that eliminate administrative friction and redefine profitability for the field service trades.”

Tchakmakjian, an accomplished software executive and entrepreneur with multiple exits in deep tech and a proud alumnus of Polytechnique Montréal and McGill University, will lead Montréal strategy and operations. “I’ve built companies from Montréal with international success throughout my career and have been involved in the AI community here for the last 10 years. The talent and the environment here are second to none, especially for bringing challenging new solutions from concept to market with high velocity,” added Tchakmakjian. “I’m also looking forward to building strong partnerships with local AI and tech institutions in Montréal and bringing some of the most talented applied AI engineers into our team.”

The project is supported by Montréal International, the city’s economic development agency.

“We are proud to support an innovative company that meets the needs of our local trades sector while delivering a market-ready AI solution to clients worldwide. Simpro Group’s new R&D centre is yet another compelling example of Montréal’s capacity to attract strategic, high-impact investments,” said Stéphane Paquet, President and CEO of Montréal International.

About Simpro Group

Simpro Group builds the AI operating platform for the trades, helping contractors, technicians, and field crews get paid faster, run smarter, and grow stronger. We are the company behind Simpro, BigChange, AroFlo, and ClockShark, trusted by more than 24,000 businesses and 450,000 users worldwide. From scheduling and dispatch to workforce management, quoting, and invoicing, our solutions simplify complexity and turn it into profit. With teams across the U.S., Australia, and the U.K., we champion the people who keep the world running and put breakthrough innovation in their hands. Learn more about how we’re powering the trades at simpro.ai.

About Montréal International

Montréal International is a non-profit organization funded by the private sector, the governments of Canada and Québec, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal and the City of Montréal. Its mandate is to attract and retain foreign investment, international organizations and qualified talent to Greater Montréal by providing support services tailored to their needs. For more information, visit www.montrealinternational.com.