About us
Our Mission
Hardbacon helps Canadians make better financial decisions by turning complex information into clear, practical guidance.
We bring together trusted data, unbiased comparisons, and easy to use tools so people can understand their options, compare them fairly, and choose what truly fits their needs.
Our role is not to tell Canadians what to do, but to give them the clarity and confidence to decide for themselves.
Our Story
Since our founding in 2017, Hardbacon has evolved alongside the financial needs of Canadians.
What began as an app for retail investors grew into a comprehensive personal finance platform, helping users not only invest, but also budget, plan, and confidently compare financial products.
In 2020, during a period of economic uncertainty, we made our budgeting and comparison tools free, reinforcing our long standing commitment to financial accessibility and transparency.
Over the years, Hardbacon has helped hundreds of thousands of Canadians make clearer, more informed financial decisions at every stage of their journey.
As we move into 2026, Hardbacon is continuing to evolve.
As part of Plutera Capital, we are expanding our platform, modernizing our technology, and refining how we analyze and present financial data. This phase focuses on building faster, more reliable tools, clearer comparisons, and deeper educational resources, while staying true to our principles of clarity, neutrality, and trust.
Our goal remains unchanged. We aim to be Canada’s most trusted financial companion, helping Canadians make smarter money decisions and build greater financial confidence over time.
Our Technology
Hardbacon began as an app designed to make investing more accessible for retail investors.
As the needs of Canadians evolved, so did our platform. We expanded beyond investing to include budgeting tools, financial comparisons, and educational resources that support better money decisions across everyday life.
In 2025, Hardbacon entered a new phase as a web-first platform built for depth, speed, and reliability.
By retiring the mobile app, we are focusing on a streamlined web experience that allows us to deliver deeper financial analysis, more flexible comparison tools, and interactive calculators. This approach gives Canadians clearer insights and a better foundation for making informed financial decisions.
Our Values
We believe financial empowerment comes from clarity, fairness, and practical tools that people can rely on. These principles guide how we build our platform, evaluate financial products, and support Canadians at every stage of their financial journey.
We present financial information clearly and without bias, so Canadians can compare options fairly and make informed decisions with confidence.
Personal finance should be easy to understand and accessible to everyone, regardless of experience or background.
We continuously improve our tools and methods to better reflect real world financial needs and changes.
Meet Our Team
David Szemerda
President, ODM World/Plutera Capital
David is a dynamic leader with a strong background in digital marketing, sales, and business growth. He has helped companies scale through performance-driven strategies, specializing in customer acquisition and the monetization of web properties. As President of Plutera Capital, he focuses on expanding financial platforms and maximizing digital assets. He is also the Co-Founder of ODM World, a performance marketing agency dedicated to optimizing online presence and driving sustainable growth.
David holds a Global MBA with dual accreditation from Rome Business School (RBS) and Universidad Internacional de Valencia (VIU), blending strategic expertise with an entrepreneurial mindset. He approaches every challenge with ambition, resilience, and a relentless drive to succeed, guided by Robert Herjavec’s philosophy: “Work hard, have fun, be nice, play fair & dream big.”
Fun fact
David is a hockey fan who never misses a game unless he’s off exploring a new country with his family! 🏒✈️
Mathieu Laliberte-Robert
Vice-President, Plutera Capital & Co-Founder, ODM World
With a background in digital marketing, finance, and business growth, Mathieu has spent most of his career helping companies scale through data-driven decision-making and client acquisition strategies. As Vice President of Plutera Capital, he focuses on expanding financial platforms and enhancing digital experiences. He is also the Co-Founder of ODM World, a performance marketing agency that helps businesses grow by optimizing their online presence.
Mathieu’s expertise spans client acquisition, business strategy, and financial services, with experience at companies such as Accenture, National Bank, and Manulife Securities. His deep understanding of digital ecosystems and financial markets makes him an integral part of Hardbacon’s mission to empower Canadians with smarter financial tools.
Fun fact
Mathieu is fascinated by ancient history 🔎 and holds a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu.
Nathan Bernard
Chief Technology Officer, Plutera Capital & ODM World
Nathan Bernard is a pragmatic technologist who sees programming as a means to create impactful solutions. A self-taught developer with a deep understanding of web architecture, he transitioned from web integrator to CTO, shaping the technical vision of Plutera Capital and ODM World.
Since meeting David and Mathieu at Accenture in 2020, Nathan has been instrumental in building scalable systems that enable small teams to work efficiently across diverse projects. His cross-domain understanding—spanning analytics, UI/UX, SEO, and marketing—allows him to bridge technical and business needs seamlessly. Now, as CTO of Hardbacon, Nathan is excited to apply his skills in the financial sector, helping empower users on their financial journeys.
Fun fact
Nathan holds a degree in Philosophy and is deeply fascinated by the inner workings of consciousness. 💫
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