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Canada
How Serese Selanders built SolusGuard — a connected safety platform protecting lone and high-risk workers across North America — from a deeply personal place, and one of the smallest tech ecosystems in Canada.
Serese Selanders will be the first to tell you that the odds were never in her favor. She is a non-technical female founder building a hardware and software company in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, one of the smallest tech ecosystems in Canada. She had no blueprint, no co-founder with an engineering background, and no guarantees.
What she had was a reason. Her father’s safety. And from that single, personal motivation, she built SolusGuard: a connected safety ecosystem that today protects lone and high-risk workers across North America, giving organizations the tools to ensure that when something goes wrong, help is never out of reach.
SolusGuard started somewhere deeply personal. Can you tell us that story?
Safety has always been personal for me. My journey began with a desire to protect my father and give my family peace of mind that he was safe. That commitment inspired my first company, ORA — a consumer wearable safety device designed to deliver reassurance when it mattered most.
Over time, I realized that the need for reliable, life-saving technology extended far beyond personal use. Across industries, countless employees — especially those working alone or in high-risk environments — were left without the protection they deserved. That realization inspired the creation of SolusGuard.
What does SolusGuard do, and what problem does it solve?
SolusGuard provides an integrated safety platform designed to protect employees who work alone or in high-risk environments. Our solution combines discreet wearable panic buttons, automated check-ins, 24/7 monitoring, and optional satellite connectivity to ensure help is always within reach.
The problem we solve is both simple and urgent: too many people go to work each day without reliable protection. When something goes wrong, response time can mean the difference between life and death. SolusGuard empowers organizations to keep their people safe, compliant, and connected, no matter where they work.
Building a hardware and software company from scratch — as a non-technical founder — is no small thing. What did that journey look like?
The odds were never in my favor: I’m a female founder, non-technical, building a hardware and software company in Saskatchewan, Canada—one of the smallest tech ecosystems in the country.
Hardware is technical, expensive, and complicated — and developing a product that’s not only reliable but life-saving adds an entirely different level of responsibility. Securing three patents was a major accomplishment, but it required years of persistence, testing, and iteration.
The pandemic brought additional challenges, including global supply chain disruptions that made it nearly impossible to source components and deliver hardware on time. Growing in Saskatoon, far from traditional tech hubs, meant overcoming barriers in recruiting talent, which forced us to focus on culture, mission, and purpose rather than geography.
And pivoting from ORA to SolusGuard was one of the hardest lessons. It meant admitting that our first model wasn’t quite right and rebuilding from the ground up. That kind of reset tests everything — your resilience, your confidence, and your belief in the vision. But every challenge sharpened my instincts and strengthened my leadership. Looking back, each obstacle helped shape the company, the culture, and the mission we stand behind today.
Our success isn’t just measured in growth or awards—it’s in the lives we help protect every single day.
What is the most significant shift happening in workplace safety right now?
The most exciting trend is the shift toward proactive protection — using data, connectivity, and automation to prevent incidents before they happen. Advances in wearable tech, AI-driven insights, and seamless integrations are transforming how organizations keep their people safe.
What excites me most is that safety is no longer seen as just a compliance requirement — it’s becoming a cornerstone of responsible, people-first leadership.
WEConnect International has played a meaningful role in SolusGuard’s growth. What has that looked like in practice?
WEConnect International has been instrumental in helping SolusGuard expand visibility and credibility beyond Canada. Certification as a women-owned business opened doors across North America and connected us to corporations and partners who value innovation.
At International Day in Denver in 2025, I won the pitch competition, gaining exposure and introductions to major organizations. In Toronto, at the WEConnect International North America Summit, I won the Power of the Pitch special award — again, incredible visibility that led to new relationships and opportunities. Now I’m building on that momentum to grow our network and amplify our impact.
Why does WBE certification and being part of a global network matter to you beyond the business case?
Representation matters. Being part of a global network of women business owners means standing beside others who are challenging norms and reshaping industries. Certification brings visibility, credibility, and connection—especially in sectors where women remain underrepresented. For me, it’s more than a certification—it’s a commitment to empowering women globally and a reminder that collective success creates systemic change.
What advice would you give to other women building companies — especially in technical or hardware-driven industries?
Don’t wait for permission — build what matters. The path will never be easy, and you’ll often be underestimated, but your purpose and persistence are your greatest assets. Surround yourself with people who lift you higher, trust your instincts, and keep moving forward even when it’s hard.
The world needs your leadership, your innovation, and your voice — exactly as they are.
About SolusGuard
SolusGuard (Kasiel Solutions Inc.) is a Saskatoon-based safety technology company founded by Serese Selanders. The company provides a connected safety ecosystem — combining wearable panic buttons, automated check-ins, 24/7 monitoring, and satellite connectivity — to protect lone and high-risk workers across North America. SolusGuard holds three patents and is a two-time WEConnect International pitch competition award winner. SolusGuard is a WEConnect International certified Women’s Business Enterprise.
www.solusguard.com