Small and medium-sized businesses are not only the backbone of the Canadian economy (creating 70% of job opportunities) but are also crucial drivers of innovation and societal progress. Cyber Legends, a London, Canada-based ed-tech company, is one such venture making waves by addressing the increasingly urgent issue of cyber safety. Co-founded by James Hayes, the company’s mission is to equip children and families with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate an ever-evolving digital landscape safely.
Staying True to Their ‘Why’
For many SME owners, staying true to their core mission amidst constant operational demands can be a challenge.
However, for Hayes and the Cyber Legends team, staying connected to their core mission—protecting children and families from digital threats—has been key to their success. “Children, especially young boys, are increasingly targeted online,” explains Hayes. “Our goal is to provide engaging, age-appropriate solutions that help kids keep themselves safe.” This sense of purpose is what drives the company’s innovative game-based learning platform, focusing on six key cyber skills designed to align with the mandated curriculum from the Ministries of Education across Canada. Their innovative platform teaches elementary school students essential digital safety skills, while their family platform, currently in development, aims to extend this learning into the home.
Central to this core mission is the “SEED” approach—Safe, Educated, Employable, and Driven. This framework ensures that all Cyber Legends’ content focuses on keeping children safe online, educating them about risks, equipping them with skills for future employability, and fostering continuous learning. “The SEED approach allows us to address the growing cyber security skills gap in a way that’s meaningful for children, educators, and parents,” says Hayes.
By staying true to their ‘why’ and regularly updating their platform to tackle new digital threats—like generative AI—Cyber Legends is creating a lasting impact. “Our mission is to create a safer digital world for children,” Hayes concludes, “and our focus on our purpose is what allows us to innovate and grow.”
Innovation and Practical Solutions for Educators
One of the major challenges facing the education system is keeping up with the fast-paced changes in technology. “Teachers often lack the resources, time, and up-to-date knowledge to teach cyber safety effectively,” says Hayes. Cyber Legends has tackled this problem by creating a platform called Edubytes, which equips educators with the tools they need to confidently integrate cybersecurity lessons into their classrooms. The platform provides teaching notes, presentation slides, and other resources that allow teachers to deliver content without needing extensive technical knowledge.
“Cyber Legends solves multiple challenges,” says Hayes. “We upscale teachers’ knowledge, provide the resources they need, and save them time in the process.”
Scaling a National Impact
What started as a local initiative has rapidly gained momentum. Cyber Legends now has a presence in schools across Canadian provinces, demonstrating the scalability of its solution. Their ability to grow while maintaining alignment with both federal public safety focus and provincial education standards highlights their operational efficiency—a key lesson for other SMEs navigating the complexities of scaling a business.
Additionally, strategic partnerships, such as their collaboration with Toronto Metropolitan University, have enabled Cyber Legends to expand their reach and validate their approach to cyber safety education. “We’ve seen a growing awareness of cyber safety at the federal level, and this collaboration between different levels of government is key to addressing the issue on a national scale,” Hayes adds.
Economic and Social Impact
Cyber Legends is not just a tech startup; it’s an example of how SMEs can create both economic value and social impact. As a growing company, they are creating jobs and supporting the local economy in Southwestern Ontario, while their solutions address a pressing societal need. SMEs, which make up over 97% of the Canadian economy, have a unique ability to create this kind of dual impact.
“By focusing on solving real-world problems, we’re not only building a sustainable business but also making a positive difference in society,” says Hayes. This aligns perfectly with the role of SMEs as key drivers of job creation and innovation in Canada.
Hayes believes that the success of any SME lies in constant curiosity and a willingness to explore new technologies. “For other founders, whether new or experienced, staying curious is critical. We need to continue learning and innovating if we want to solve inefficiencies and create a better world for those around us.”
Cyber Legends has embraced this philosophy by staying ahead of technological trends, including addressing emerging issues like generative AI in their curriculum updates. Their focus on continuous improvement ensures that their platform remains relevant and effective in an ever-changing digital landscape.
As Cyber Legends continues to grow and impact more schools across Canada, Hayes encourages other SMEs to think about their ‘why’ and how they can drive innovation in their respective fields. “We’ve always been about making the digital world safer for children, but along the way, we’ve learned that staying true to your mission opens up opportunities for growth and partnerships that you might not expect.”
To learn more about how Cyber Legends is pioneering cyber safety education for children and families, visit their website at www.cyberlegends.com.