Winnipeg-based TV ad delivery firm Taiv switches on at home By: Aaron Epp Posted: 5:37 PM CDT Wednesday, Jul. 30, 2025

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This article was published 30/07/2025 (418 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A small gong sits in the middle of Taiv Inc.’s headquarters in Winnipeg’s Exchange District office. Whenever there’s an achievement to celebrate at the advertising technology company, staff pick up a mallet and strike it.

In recent weeks, the sound of the gong has marked the company’s first Canadian sales. After making it available in the United States in 2021, Taiv’s product is now available in Winnipeg. More Canadian cities will follow next year, said co-founder and CEO Noah Palansky.

“Winnipeg is special to us and it’s so cool to be finally operating here,” he said.

Founded in 2018 by Palansky, chief technology officer Jordan Davis and chief business officer Avi Stoller, Taiv aims to rebuild the way TV is shown in businesses.

The company offers a small box that connects to a client’s TVs and automatically switches between cable, streaming channels and digital signage. The box uses artificial intelligence to analyse the live video feed and switch sources during commercial breaks.

Taiv provides the box and installation to businesses free of charge. The company makes money by selling ads and shares a portion of the revenue with participating businesses.

Taiv’s sales team started calling Winnipeg businesses on July 14. As of Wednesday afternoon, 29 had signed up to use the company’s technology.

Taiv considers a city “launched” when its devices are being used by at least 30 establishments. Given the uptake, Palansky is confident the business will reach that number — and strike the gong to celebrate — soon.

“It’s been very well-received,” he said of the response from local businesses.

Fionn MacCool’s pub at Grant Park had the technology installed last week and owner Jay Kilgour is pleased.

“There’s no downside to it,” he said.

“(Customers) think I’ve purchased an ad on TSN or NBC because it’s taking over the commercial break.”–Jay Kilgour

The restaurant has 11 TVs powered by four cable boxes. Each cable box is connected to a Taiv device, meaning that when sports games are showing, Kilgour can advertise drink specials and upcoming events unique to his establishment.

“(Customers) think I’ve purchased an ad on TSN or NBC because it’s taking over the commercial break,” Kilgour said.

“If I can show one of my ads versus a competitor’s or something that has nothing to do with my business, it’s great. I’m advertising to my own clientele, which is a best-case scenario for me.”

Taiv has also installed its devices at the Pony Corral restaurants on Pembina Highway and Nairn Avenue. Owner Peter Ginakes said between the two locations, he always has upcoming events to advertise. Taiv is helping him reach customers more effectively.

“I love what these guys are doing because I’m always trying to promote our items,” he said. “It’s user-friendly, too.”

Taiv was set to debut its product in Canada in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic derailed those plans, Palansky said.

It launched south of the border the following year. Today, more than 2,000 restaurants, bars, gas stations and convenience stores in 13 American cities use Taiv’s device.

Bringing the product to Winnipeg at this time was not financially motivated, Palansky said, noting from a revenue perspective, it would have made more sense to expand throughout the entire United States before launching in Canada.

“It just felt really important to us to have a product here in our city so that we can see it in action,” he said. “We can hear from our customers (and) we can have closer conversations (with them).”

It’s also a good recruiting tool, Palansky added. Last month, Taiv announced $14.4 million in Series A funding to accelerate its expansion and the company is hiring as a result.

Taiv currently employs 60 people, 48 of whom are located in Winnipeg.

aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca