How Ottawa’s Longest Running Laser Tag Business Began: FunLight

FunLight started out of a need to have a summer job when I was 16. I was told to look for something that interested me. I have always liked laser tag, working with people, and being outdoors. I decided to put these interests together to start my own business in 2009.

I received help from OCRI’s Entrepreneur Centre (now Invest Ottawa) and a grant from the Ontario government’s Summer Company program. One of my fondest memories of the first year was the look on a mother’s face as she realized the company she had been emailing was run by a kid who looked about 12, with his little sister and nana (I didn’t have a full licence yet) waiting in the family van. An hour later she went from ‘what I have done’ to encouraging all the other parents to book a party for their kids.

Expansion into Mini Putt

Late in 2011 I added mobile mini putt to expand the things that I could offer my customers. So far it has proven quite popular.

A Growing Reach

I have done over 2,000 events from the top of the Rockies, the high Arctic, to five minutes from my house.

The Philosophy Behind the Fun

I continue to love running laser tag and watching people have fun running around outside with their friends. I use technology to mediate human interaction in a world where too many people use technology to replace human interaction.

Feedback Welcome

I am always eager to hear what people think and if they have any suggestions of how to improve my business. So, if you have a comment, please send me an email at Hamish@funlight.ca.