Windsor, like all border cities, occupies a strange, somewhat contradictory space.
Dwelling between the United States and Canada, Windsor is caught between two worlds—Michigan and Ontario, tradition and innovation, the shadow of the automotive industry and a shimmering entrepreneurial spirit.
For many years, Windsor has seemed like a city people couldn’t wait to escape from. Now, however, the City of Roses seems to be attracting a whole new generation of tech companies.
Shibu Basheer is the cofounder and CTO of Cabot Technology Solutions, a value-based Product Engineering IT firm that delivers high value and robust solutions using state-of-the-art technologies.
The company’s name comes from Venetian explorer and navigator John Cabot, the first European since the Viking Age to explore North America, as well as Cabot Trails in Nova Scotia.
“Cabot Technology Solutions was founded in 2006 in India,” Shibu explains. “The industry has always been close to my heart. IT was always my dream, since I was in college. I started with two people, and we’ve slowly grown from there. We currently employ over 100 professionals. In the last year, we’ve entered a new phase where we plan on expanding our horizons.”
Windsor has given us the opportunity to stretch our wings
After over a decade based out of India, Shibu relocated his company to Windsor six months ago.
“My company works mostly with clients in the United States and Canada,” Shibu states. “After many years, we decided that it was better for our company to grow if we were closer to them. Windsor has given us the opportunity to stretch our wings.”
Shibu previously spent some time in Canada while obtaining his Master’s degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax.
“It seemed like the right time to make our presence known in Canada,” Shibu explains. “We picked it because of Ontario, as well as the immediate proximity to the United States. We do a lot of business with American clients, so this gives us a better opportunity to connect with them. A lot of things happen online in the IT space, but it doesn’t hurt to be in the same time zone.”
And Shibu warmed to the city as quickly as the city warmed to him.
“Windsor’s a great city,” Shibu states. “I’ve had friends that have lived here. I spoke to them before the move and they sang it’s praises. They said it was quiet, good schools. A great place to raise a family. The weather is better than a lot of cities in Canada. So far, we’re very happy here. And we’re very happy for the opportunity Windsor’s given us to keep growing.”
Cabot Technology Solutions is a Member of the Downtown Windsor Business Accelerator as well as WEtech Alliance’s Tech Leadership Peer Group.
Michael Seguin was born with a pen in his hands and too many words floating around his skull. Since then, he’s worked tirelessly to get them out. Unfortunately, more keep taking their place. After university, he began dabbling in marketing and journalism. At the age of 26, he became the first in-house writer at Windsor Life Magazine, an esteemed local publication. As the newest member of the WEtech Alliance team, Michael is dedicated to lending a voice to the tech sector around Windsor and Chatham-Kent
