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CEO and Co-Founder of nesto named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 Eastern

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Malik Yacoubi recognized for reimagining Canada’s mortgage ecosystem through technology, innovation and purpose-driven leadership

MONTRÉAL , Oct. 14, 2026 /CNW/ — Traditional territories of the Kanien’kehà:ka, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, Huron/Wendat, Abenaki and Anishinaabeg – Malik Yacoubi, CEO and Co-Founder of nesto, a leading Canadian mortgage technology and financing provider, has been named the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Eastern Overall Award winner by an independent judging panel. He was honoured alongside six regional winners, one Special Citation recipient and the region’s 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award of Excellence Award recipient at last night’s celebration in Montréal.

“Malik saw an opportunity to rethink how the home financing industry operates and had the vision and determination to turn that opportunity into a reality,” shares Walid Safi, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Eastern Program Co-Director. “By continually pushing conventional approaches and investing in innovation, he’s helping reshape the lending experience for Canadians and inspiring the next generation of builders.”

Driven by a vision to make mortgages simpler, faster and more transparent, Malik has transformed nesto from a digital-first mortgage brokerage into a leading Canadian provider of mortgage financing and digital lending solutions.

A serial entrepreneur with more than two decades of experience building and scaling companies, he has distinguished himself through bold leadership and a willingness to challenge the status quo. From launching nesto when digital lending was still gaining traction, to navigating industry skepticism and guiding the business through the uncertainty of the pandemic, Malik has consistently turned ambitious ideas into growth opportunities.

Today, his continued investment in automation and AI is helping create a more efficient and accessible lending experience and expand access to homeownership for Canadians.

Beyond business success, Malik is committed to creating positive impact. Under his leadership, nesto achieved B Corp certification and embedded diversity, equity and inclusion principles throughout its operations and value chain. He also champions community initiatives supporting organizations such as Kindred, 24H Tremblant and TechAide, while mentoring early-stage founders through FounderFuel. Through both corporate and personal contributions, he is helping foster a stronger and more inclusive generation of Canadian innovators.

“Building a successful company is never a straight line, and Malik’s story is proof of that,” says Audrey Gibeault, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Eastern Program Co-Director. “From challenging industry norms to navigating periods of uncertainty, he’s shown what can happen when resilience, ambition and purpose come together. We’re thrilled to recognize him and this year’s remarkable group of winners.”

The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Eastern Category Award winners:

Abby Gnanendran | Earth Rated (Business-to-Consumer Products and Services)

Jean-Sébastien Vachon | Ideal Can (Industrial and Manufacturing)

Louis T. Lemay | Lemay (Real Estate and Construction)

Guy Tremblay | LOKIA (Health Care and Wellness)

Toby Gauld | Optima Aero (Manufacturing Cleantech)

Richard Morgante | Rustica Foods (Business-to-Business Products and Services)

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Eastern Special Citation recipient:

Catherine Lunardi | GenAIz

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Eastern Lifetime Achievement Award of Excellence recipient:

Andrew Lutfy | Groupe Dynamite (learn more)

What’s next?

As the Eastern region’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026, Malik will compete with winners from the Pacific, Prairies and Ontario regions for the national title of Canada’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026. The national award will be presented at a celebration on November 24, 2026, in Toronto. Canada’s winner will then advance to the global stage in 2027 to compete with more than 50 other country recipients for the title of EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ hosted in Monaco.

More information

Follow @EYCanada and #EOYEastern on social for the latest event updates. Visit ey.com/ca/EOY for more program details and a complete list of finalists and winners.

About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year®

The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program shines a spotlight on entrepreneurs across Canada who master the artful balance of passion, determination, character and skill to create businesses that address the most complex challenges and build a better working world. By joining the program, you’ll have the opportunity to celebrate success with your team, inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and gain access to an exclusive global network of program participants that help to build connections, fuel success and navigate long-term growth.

The 2026 Eastern independent judging panel comprises Pelra Azondekon, Managing Director, asterX | Québecor; Mélissa Lambert, President and CEO, Lambert Design; Henri-Charles Machalani, Founder and Chairman, Mistplay; Catherine Morneau, Co-President, Groupe Morneau; Eric Naaman, CEO, Damotech; Chiko Nanji, Founder and Chairman, Metro Supply Chain Group; and Orlane Panet, Co-Founder and CEO, MicroHabitat Urban Farming.

This year’s national program sponsors are Air Canada, TSX Inc., The Globe and Mail and The Printing House.

About EY 

EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.

Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.

EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fuelled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.

All in to shape the future with confidence.

EY refers to the global organization and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com/ca.

This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP.

SOURCE EY (Ernst & Young)

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Media Advisory: Minister Chartrand to celebrate mining milestone

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THOMPSON, MB, Oct. 15, 2026 /CNW/ — The Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, will celebrate an important mining project milestone. A media availability will follow.  

Date: Friday, October 16, 2026

Time: 1:40 p.m. CT

All accredited media are asked to pre-register by emailing Seeon.Smith@manitoba.ca. Details on how to participate will be provided upon registration.

Follow Natural Resources Canada on LinkedIn

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

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Monarch Metal Launches Build Your Custom Z Clip Configurator for Made-to-Order Aluminum Z Clips and Rails

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Monarch Metal’s new online configurator gives contractors, fabricators, installers, and purchasing teams a faster way to order aluminum Z Clips with the exact length and hole pattern their project requires.

RONKONKOMA, N.Y., Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Monarch Metal Inc., a leading manufacturer of architectural metal solutions for more than 30 years, announced the launch of Build Your Custom Z Clip, a new online configurator that lets customers create custom aluminum Z Clips and rails directly from the product page. Customers choose the profile, finished length, hole size, and spacing they need, review the configuration and pricing, and add it directly to their cart.

They configure it, see the price, and add it to the cart, and most custom orders ship within two days. – Brandon Bingham, CEO, Monarch Metal Inc.

Not every project fits a standard rail length or hole pattern. An installation might require a specific finished length, a different fastener size, tighter hole spacing, or a rail with no holes at all. Build Your Custom Z Clip puts those choices on the product page so customers can configure the rail they need without submitting a quote request or working through specifications by email.

The configurator is available on six Monarch aluminum Z Clip profiles: the MF625, MF375, and MF250, along with the high load capacity MFSTR-0375, MFSTR-050, and MFSTR-075.

Custom rails can be configured from 1.5 inches to 12 feet in 0.125-inch increments for the length of the rail or clip. Customers select one of the available hole diameters for the profile or choose No Holes, then set hole spacing in 0.5-inch increments, with the maximum spacing adjusting automatically to the rail length. The configurator determines how many holes fit the selected rail and centers the pattern so the lead-in at both ends is equal. A live Configuration Summary shows the finished length, hole size, hole count, spacing, lead-in, price per rail, quantity, and total price before the order is placed.

Custom does not always mean a custom part is needed. If a configuration exactly matches a Monarch stock rail that is currently available, the configurator displays a stock option notice with a direct way to select it instead. The comparison checks rail length, hole size, and hole spacing, so a configuration is only identified as stock when the specifications actually match.

“Every installation is different, and a standard rail length or hole pattern does not always fit the job,” said Brandon Bingham, CEO of Monarch Metal Inc. “Build Your Custom Z Clip gives our customers the exact rail their project calls for without the back and forth of a quote request. They configure it, see the price, and add it to the cart, and most custom orders ship within two days. With locations in New York, Texas, and Nevada, we are positioned to get custom rails to job sites across the country quickly.”

Build Your Custom Z Clip is designed for projects that call for something outside the standard options, including panel installations that require rails cut to exact layout dimensions, millwork and cabinetry where custom lengths reduce cutting in the shop or field, architectural applications with specific fastening requirements, and fabrication work where rails are ordered without holes for in-house drilling or machining. Regular stock options remain available on the same product pages.

The configurator is built for both desktop and mobile. On phones and tablets, the layout stacks into a single column and replaces sliders with large plus and minus controls for easier adjustment on a touchscreen. Custom and stock products can be added to the same cart, and the specifications for each custom rail stay with the item through checkout, order confirmation, and order emails.

For more information or to build a custom Z Clip, visit https://www.monarchmetal.com/products/monarch-z-clips/.

About Monarch Metal Inc.

For over 30 years, Monarch Metal Inc. has been a trusted manufacturer of high-quality architectural metal products, custom aluminum extrusions, and panel hanging systems, specializing in aluminum Z Clips, panel mounting systems, and interior wall and ceiling panel solutions. The company is known for precision-engineered components that support efficient installation, long-term durability, and clean, concealed finishes across commercial and architectural applications. Through continuous product innovation and a commitment to quality, Monarch Metal Inc. remains a leading resource for architects, designers, and contractors seeking reliable panel mounting and metal fabrication solutions.

Media Contact

Brian Oakes, Monarch Metal Inc., 1 6317503000, boakes@monarchmetal.com, https://www.monarchmetal.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/monarch-metal-launches-build-your-custom-z-clip-configurator-for-made-to-order-aluminum-z-clips-and-rails-302910097.html

SOURCE Monarch Metal Inc.

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Movin’ on Up: Olympus Announces Sale of MEI

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STAMFORD, Conn., Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Olympus Partners is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to sell MEI Industrial Solutions (“MEI”) to 26North Partners LP. MEI is a scaled national provider of equipment execution services including rigging, machinery moving, industrial storage, millwrighting, custom crating and integrated logistics. The company serves blue-chip customers across data centers, semiconductors and other industrial end markets, with nearly 2,500 employees across the U.S.

Under Olympus’ ownership, MEI underwent a transformative expansion, growing its footprint from 16 to 30 operating locations and entering key new markets including Chicago, Miami, Providence and Richmond, while quadrupling its indoor storage capacity to over 10 million square feet and executing seven strategic acquisitions. To drive this growth, Olympus partnered with CEO Doug Dayton, who was hired during Olympus’ ownership period, to strengthen the commercial organization, establish a regional leadership structure backed by robust corporate infrastructure and maintain a rigorous commitment to an industry-leading safety program.

“Our investment in MEI was anchored in a strong business model and an exceptionally talented team,” said Sam Greenberg, Partner at Olympus. “By making targeted investments in both leadership and technology, the Company has integrated its geographic footprint into a unified national platform, delivering a level of service quality and consistency unprecedented in the industry. We are incredibly proud of what Doug and the team have built and look forward to following MEI’s next chapter of growth.”

“The MEI team executed exceptionally well, capturing substantial market share in high-growth end markets while rapidly launching new services to meet evolving customer needs,” added Dave Cardenas, Managing Partner at Olympus. “Crucially, they achieved this expansion while maintaining an industry-leading safety record. We couldn’t be prouder of our partnership with Doug and the entire company.”

“The growth MEI has experienced over the past three years is a testament to the extraordinary people across our organization and our strong partnership with Olympus,” said Doug Dayton, CEO of MEI. “They’ve supported us in making the investments necessary to become a true industry leader while staying grounded in the values that have always made MEI successful: safety, accountability, and delivering for our customers. I’m grateful for their confidence in our team and excited to build on this momentum with 26North as we enter our next chapter of growth.”

The Olympus team included Dave Cardenas, Sam Greenberg, George Swenson, Marty Durkin, and Tanaya Bhakat. Lazard served as financial advisor to MEI and Olympus, led by George Fisher and Bob Frost. Baird also served as a financial advisor.

ABOUT OLYMPUS PARTNERS

Olympus Partners is a private equity firm focused on providing equity capital for middle market management buyouts and for growing companies. Olympus manages in excess of $12 billion mainly on behalf of corporate pension funds, endowment funds and state-sponsored retirement programs. Founded in 1988, Olympus is an active, long-term investor across a broad range of industries including business services, food services, consumer products, healthcare services, financial services, industrial services and manufacturing.

ABOUT MEI INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS

MEI Industrial Solutions moves, stores and installs critical equipment for customers in the data center, semiconductor, EV and battery, aerospace and defense, life sciences and pharmaceutical, and industrial manufacturing markets. Its services include rigging, machinery moving and setting, storage and staging, crating and export packaging, and specialized logistics. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, MEI operates 30 locations across the United States. For more information, visit www.meiindustrialsolutions.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/movin-on-up-olympus-announces-sale-of-mei-302910400.html

SOURCE Olympus Partners

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