While studying in Mohawk’s Computer Systems Technology program, Jason Nagy ‘90 found one course would be a springboard into his future after graduation.

The industrial psychology class taught him that there was more to computer technology than just hardware and software.

“I was told through the course, by several instructors, that you will most likely end up in a managerial position, so you'll have to know this stuff,” Jason said. “That became one of the staple things that's out in the real world. I really found an interest in diving into the psychology around business and people.”

Learning about the minds behind the businesses in his community was only the first step toward becoming the investor he is today, and his co-op with Canada Post added to his experience.

“Through my co-op, I found that it’s so much more about the aspects of business than just the technology in the corporate world,” Jason said. “That co-op was my first step into business, which was fantastic because I worked on real projects.”

While working with Canada Post, Jason was exposed to both the technical and business side of the corporation, as well as introduced him to entrepreneurial individuals who brought innovative ideas to the company, saving time and money. The idea of using technology to improve businesses stuck with him, and eventually led to the creation of his two companies, Wise Crescent and PitchScore.

Wise Crescent builds and manages websites for small businesses, focusing on start-ups with one to four employees.

“We can do everything that’s online for them,” Jason says. “[Their] social media, advertising campaigns, everything, but we stick with building managed websites because that’s a core that [the business owner] can grab onto and work with.”

Jason’s subscription-based services through Wise Crescent are aimed at helping small businesses grow and remain both personal and profitable. His other company, PitchScore, allows him to get involved with small businesses even earlier in their development process.

As an investor, Jason would see entrepreneurs pitch their ideas and businesses often. He found that good ideas would sometimes fail to land investors because entrepreneurs struggled to explain or communicate their business effectively. PitchScore offers entrepreneurs a grading system to improve their pitches and compare them to people across Canada. It also gives investors an avenue to connect with entrepreneurs across the country. 

“A kid in the middle of nowhere could be working on something really interesting. He could pop up on someone’s radar with PitchScore and we can pull them all into the great programs being offered,” he says. “We then can connect them with investors. [It’s just] finding those diamonds in the rough.”

Jason returned to Mohawk College recently to connect with students and staff to see what had changed and what he could do to help students and alumni.

“I was amazed at the progress of the school and the technology in the spaces,” Jason said. “The feel of it was fantastic for me. That collegial entrepreneurial excitement and energy was there. I think there are large opportunities that can come out of [the Centre for Entrepreneurship]. It’s incredible.”

Jason is currently the president of both Wise Crescent and PitchScore and belongs to several angel investing groups around the GTA and Niagara helping to launch Canadian small businesses.

By Calum Smethurst ‘24