When Winnipeg entrepreneur Ben Myers co-founded Nonsuch Brewing Co., he never imagined his next big venture would involve artificial intelligence. However, during the pandemic, as he experimented with no-code tools to help the brewery connect with customers, Myers stumbled upon an idea that evolved into Robin — a Winnipeg AI startup supported by the North Forge Founders Program.
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“We realized how powerful SMS could be,” Myers said. “Everyone has a phone, even grandparents with flip phones. Texting is the most direct way to connect.”
That realization sparked Robin: an AI-powered communication tool that helps organizations answer common customer questions in real time through text. Instead of staff being tied up responding to the same inquiries, Robin delivers quick, personalized answers, freeing up teams to focus on what really matters.
Why Robin’s AI Communication Tool Stands Out
According to Forbes, text message marketing delivers an open rate of around 98%, far outperforming email’s typical 20% open rate. That means SMS offers near-instant visibility and reliable delivery, even during high-traffic events like music festivals where internet access can be limited.
Unlike email or social media, where messages can be easily overlooked or lost, Robin creates direct, one-to-one conversations that foster trust.
“With social media, abuse or spam can damage a brand in public,” he said. “With Robin, everything happens in a private, contained channel. The conversations are more immersive and meaningful, and the organization doesn’t need someone glued to a screen 24/7.”
While Robin started with SMS, often the most challenging and expensive channel to implement, Myers says the goal is to be platform-agnostic, eventually expanding to WhatsApp, email, and beyond.
Robin Leaves the Nest
Robin’s first prototype debuted at Nuit Blanche 2024, Winnipeg’s annual nighttime arts festival. Attendees texted questions and received witty AI responses along with generative images projected onto a wall for everyone to see.
Soon after, Robin was put to the test at RampUp Weekend, North Forge’s annual startup pitch competition. The AI powered a live info line where participants could text questions about schedules, resources, or even when the pizza was ready.
“Suddenly everyone’s phones went off at the same time, and I saw people smiling and heading upstairs,” Myers recalled. “That’s when I knew this could really work.”
Since then, Robin has been piloting with organizations like Volleyball Alberta, which has nearly 30,000 members. Instead of staff being overwhelmed by endless questions from parents and athletes, Robin now provides quick answers about tournament times, tryouts, and logistics.
Spreading its Wings with North Forge
Robin’s journey has been closely tied to North Forge, Manitoba’s early-stage startup incubator and accelerator. Myers joined the North Forge 4-Stage Founders Program, receiving mentorship, market validation, and access to funding pathways.
“North Forge gave us validation and the environment to test and grow Robin,” Myers said. “Being able to pilot with real organizations right here in Manitoba was huge.”
Taking Flight: The Future of Robin AI
For Myers, the future of Robin is clear: become the channel organizations use to connect with both their data and their communities. Today, Robin is focused on specific verticals, such as events, sports, and construction, but the long-term vision is much broader.
“We want to empower employees by taking away the repetitive tasks that drain them,” Myers said. “Robin isn’t here to replace people: it’s here to give them more time and confidence to do the work they love.”
How to Try Robin
Robin is now live for businesses, events, and organizations across Canada. To learn more about the AI startup, visit robin.guide.
Founders interested in building their own startup can explore the no-cost North Forge Founders Program.
