A Nova Scotia-based fintech startup is rethinking how Canadians approach long-term financial planning. Optiml offers a smarter, more personalized way to prepare for retirement—without relying on costly advisors or oversimplified online calculators.
Founded in 2022 by Zac Davies, Max Jessome, and Alex Ingham, family members and childhood friends, Optiml was born out of frustration with the traditional financial planning system.
The idea was inspired by Davies’ uncle, Donald, who couldn’t find clear guidance from financial planners or online tools that definitively answered: “How do I know this is the most tax-efficient strategy for me?” With no reliable solution available, he was left managing his retirement through spreadsheets.
That experience led the team to build a platform that combines intuitive design with powerful simulation tools, giving users greater clarity, control, and confidence in their financial futures.
Optiml helps Canadians create dynamic, tax-efficient plans tailored to their goals and timelines. It supports decisions around retirement age, home purchases, tuition savings, and more—while optimizing for government benefits like CPP and OAS, and managing withdrawals from registered and non-registered accounts.
At the core of the platform is a proprietary algorithm that runs hundreds of thousands of simulations in minutes. This allows users to test multiple “what-if” scenarios and compare outcomes in real time. Integration with Wealthica enables users to sync their financial data, receive personalized feedback, and adjust their plans based on goal achievability.
To ensure real-world accuracy, Optiml collaborated with Saint Mary’s University to validate its methodology using historical financial data. The company is also developing a “Success Score” feature, which will help users assess how well their plans hold up under market shifts, inflation changes, or income disruptions.
Optiml is designed for a broad audience—from young adults beginning their wealth journey to retirees refining their withdrawal strategies. It especially appeals to Canadians seeking financial independence from traditional advisor models, offering transparent subscription pricing with no commissions or product upsells.
All features are built specifically for the Canadian financial system, with a strong emphasis on long-term tax efficiency. The platform is updated weekly based on user feedback to keep pace with evolving needs.
As it grows, Optiml aims to become the go-to homegrown alternative to legacy financial planning tools—empowering Canadians with a clearer, more customized path to financial independence.
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