Building an AI-powered matchmaking platform for enhanced business partner matches
Developing a digital platform that helps businesses identify valuable connections and opportunities before, during, and after trade events
Parker Christie and Dushyant Puri, SMART Centre
About the project
This SMART Centre project focused on creating an AI-powered matchmaking platform designed to connect companies with shared interests, expertise, and market opportunities. The tool was developed to support business networking and engagement at trade missions and industry events.
The challenge
Businesses expanding into new markets often find it difficult to identify relevant contacts and maintain momentum after networking events. The project aimed to create a more structured and data-driven approach to connecting organizations with potential partners and collaborators.
Approach
- Developed a prototype web application for company matchmaking
- Created company profile and onboarding functionality
- Designed an AI-based scoring system to identify similar organizations
- Incorporated event participation data to improve match relevance
- Built an administrative dashboard to manage platform data and users
Results
- Delivered a functional prototype matchmaking platform
- Enabled companies to create profiles and receive AI-generated match recommendations
- Integrated event participation into the matching process
- Developed an administrative dashboard for platform management
- Established a foundation for future AI model refinement and platform growth
Why it matters
This project demonstrates how AI can help strengthen business networking and market development efforts. The platform supports:
- More effective business-to-business connections
- Greater value from trade missions and industry events
- Improved discovery of potential partners and collaborators
- Opportunities for future international expansion and engagement
- Data-driven approaches to business development