John Robinson didn’t grow up dreaming about server rooms or cybersecurity frameworks, but he did grow up with an entrepreneurial drive. “From a young age, I was always working,” he says. “Starting around 15, I held two jobs throughout school. I realized early that if I wanted my own path, I had to take initiative and do things my own way.”
In Ottawa’s suburban neighbourhoods, that meant cutting grass and shovelling snow for the neighbours—work that rewarded him instantly. “You did the job, got paid on the spot. That sense of independence and immediate reward really appealed to me,” Robinson recalls. It was the first spark of an entrepreneurial mindset that would later fuel the creation of Intega IT.
By 2003, Robinson was working for a global high-tech company, but the role left him unfulfilled. A friend had just launched a residential tech service business, Dr. Desktop, and offered him half the company. Robinson jumped at the chance. Within months, the friend had moved on to open a restaurant, leaving Robinson in full control. He saw an opportunity in shifting away from residential clients toward the business-to-business market. “I believed that moving to B2B would unlock much greater potential for growth,” he says. A decade later, in 2013, he rebranded as Intega, letting go of all residential work and fully committing to business clients.
Founder and CEO John Robinson, who has guided Intega IT from its early beginnings to its current focus on cybersecurity and client partnerships. | Photography by Nicolai Gregory.
From the start, Robinson’s goal was to take a reactive model, waiting for the phone to ring, and turn it into something stable and recurring. “Intega has gone through three major shifts,” he explains. “We started with break-fix services. Then we pivoted to managed services, automation and proactive support to prevent issues before they happened. Today, cybersecurity is our core focus.” Each pivot was guided by the same principle: building long-term IT partnerships. “One-off support might solve an immediate issue, but it doesn’t allow for proactive planning or scalable growth. By building long-term relationships, we become an extension of our clients’ teams.”
For Robinson, helping clients future-proof their businesses means more than keeping systems online. It’s about changing how business owners see technology. “Our goal is to shift the perception of IT from being merely an expense to a strategic investment,” he says. By identifying operational efficiencies—whether reducing costs, streamlining processes, or improving productivity—Intega positions clients to focus on growth and innovation.
In 2022, Intega traded its darker, industrial offices for a bright, central space in Westboro. “As we emerged from the pandemic, we noticed a shift. People wanted hybrid work, but we needed a space to get people excited about coming into the office again,” Robinson says. The new office, bathed in natural light from oversized windows, was an instant fit. “The office literally glows with light,” he says. Westboro’s vibrant neighbourhood also helps attract top talent.
Ottawa’s IT market is competitive, but Robinson believes Intega has carved out a distinct space. “What sets us apart is our commitment to offering a premium, inclusive, and fully Canadian boutique service. This allows us to deliver personalized, high-quality solutions tailored to each client.” That advantage comes from the people behind the service. “I prioritize cultural fit and mindset as much as technical skills,” Robinson says. “We invest in our team’s development, which fosters loyalty and growth. Many of our leaders have been promoted from within.”
As Intega grew, so did Robinson’s focus on giving back. Intega provides pro bono IT services to the Snowsuit Fund, a grassroots organization that supplies winter clothing to children in need. The company also sponsors the Fund’s annual SnowBall gala. “I believe it’s the responsibility of every entrepreneur to give back to the community that supports their business,” Robinson says. He also supports Carty House, which offers transitional housing for refugee women arriving alone in Ottawa. When choosing causes to support, Robinson is drawn to grassroots organizations where the impact is tangible. “They operate leanly and make sure every dollar is maximized for impact,” he says.
Asked for a leadership principle that’s served him well, Robinson doesn’t hesitate: accountability. “It anchors leadership during tough times because it fosters ownership and trust,” he says. His advice for aspiring tech entrepreneurs is equally direct: “Start with a problem, not a product. If your ‘brilliant idea’ doesn’t solve something real, you’re just adding more noise to an already deafening market.” He adds with a smile, “It’s the world’s most exciting, chaotic, and caffeine-fueled roller coaster. There will be highs, lows, and probably a few tears. Buckle up.”
For Robinson, success today means thriving with purpose. “It’s no longer just about surviving,” he says. “It’s about personal satisfaction, growth, and achieving the goals I’ve set for myself both professionally and personally.”