About Us
InkSmith is an education technology company passionate about improving the adoption of 21st-century technology and the development of STEAM & digital skills in the classroom.
Empowering purpose-driven learning in the classroom
Our goal is to equip educators with the skills and tools they need to empower the next generation. We believe that empowering today's learners through education will create tomorrow's global citizens capable of tackling the world's challenges.
Our Philosophy
Our philosophy at InkSmith is to empower educators to utilize 21st-century technology in their pedagogy, in order to enhance the learning experience of students and develop critical thinking skills.
Our Mission
InkSmith's mission is to empower educators and students with the tools and resources they need to build critical STEAM, digital and problem-solving skills for the future.
Our Values
InkSmith's mission is to empower educators and students with the tools and resources they need to build critical STEAM, digital and problem-solving skills for the future.
Our Vision
InkSmith envisions a world where all students are presented with purpose-driven, experiential learning opportunities which provide them with the skills to drive meaningful change in their lives and communities.
Our Story
2016
It all started with 3D Printing Filament
InkSmith was founded in 2016 after 3D printing hobbyist, and now InkSmith CEO, Jeremy Hedges, started a small business selling filament for 3D printing. InkSmith quickly grew in the up-and-coming 3D printing hobbyist market as one of the only Canadian resellers of Cubicon 3D printers.
This is where the name 'InkSmith' comes from.
2017
Beginnings of 3D Printers in Education
During this time, 3D printers were slowly making their way into the higher education space. Colleges, universities, libraries, and eventually high schools and elementary schools began recognizing the value of future-focused learning skills and implementing 3D printers. As the demand for printers slowly grew, the InkSmith team discovered the lack of support for 3D printing.
2018
Building Curriculum Connections
Despite the growing use of 3D printing in various industries, there was a lack of connection to meaningful learning and curriculum connections in education. In most schools, 3D printers were simply an under-used resource. InkSmith began building out a database of dedicated solutions for 3D printing in the education space to help bridge this gap.
2018
InkSmith Creates the k8 Robot powered by micro:bit
Recognizing the need for hands-on STEM technology in the classroom, InkSmith set out to create the k8 robot - an affordable coding & robotics kit powered by micro:bit.
Beloved by many for it's cute appearance and extensive coding possibilities, the k8 robot served as amazing entry to point for new coders!
2019
InkSmith Creates the Climate Action Kit powered by micro:bit
Following the success of the micro:bit powered k8 robot, InkSmith set out to create the Climate Action Kit - a coding & robotics kit designed to teach kids coding in the context of climate action.
To this day, the Climate Action Kit is a huge hit with educators for it's practical, real-world context and curriculum aligned lesson content.
2020
The Pandemic Pivot - The Canadian Shield
Equipped with the rapid prototyping technology and ability to move quickly, InkSmith pivoted their business at the start of the 2020 pandemic to start producing PPE.
The team at InkSmith founded The Canadian Shield which manufactured over 11 million medical face shields, produced millions of medical grade face masks, and brought rapid tests and other PPE to the consumer market.
You can read more about this story on The Canadian Shield's website.
2022
Growth & Product Expansion
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, InkSmith re-established it's focus on the education industry, growing the team and adding several STEM edtech products to its offerings.
2023
InkSmith founds Forward Education and releases the NEW Climate Action Kit
Four years after its original inception, InkSmith set out to completely redesign the Climate Action Kit. The team took everything they learned and completely redesigned the hardware, packaging, and learning content of the kit.
With sights set on an international market and specific focus on environmental science & climate action - InkSmith founded Forward Education as their international sister-company.
2024
InkSmith Today
Today InkSmith operates alongside sister-company Forward Education to bring purpose-driven STEM education to classrooms across North America.
You can read more about the InkSmith and Forward Education teams here.
InkSmith Group of Companies
InkSmith owns and operates four independent brands. Click the logos below to be redirected to each brand's website.
