HRVST 2025: year in review
Our biggest builds, brightest brands, and the lessons shaping 2026.
DECEMBER 19, 2025 / Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
2025 came in hot, and we kept pace.
We grew the team. We tightened the work. We launched some of our cleanest builds and sharpest brands to date. From fresh identity systems to full-stack Shopify sites, this year wasn’t just busy. It was dialed.
This isn’t a victory lap. It’s a look back at the momentum, the people, and the projects that shaped our year, and a snapshot of the work we shipped along the way. Whether you work in ecommerce, build on the creative side, run your own thing, or just follow our work, there’s something here for you.
Built in real life
We made a point of creating space to connect throughout the year. Whether it was a team meet-up, off-site, lunch & learn, or our annual retreat, those moments let us step back, reset, and focus on what we were building together.
We also made time to show up in person – from global conferences in Austin and New York to local meetups and industry events in Toronto and Montreal. It kept us close to the conversations shaping ecommerce, design, and tech, and gave us time to catch up with old friends along the way.
The team grew and evolved in all the best ways. We welcomed back familiar faces, celebrated a wedding, and even had a few new HRVST babies join the mix. Safe to say it was a big year, on and off the clock. If you’re curious who’s behind it all, meet the team.
Sharpening the way we work
Behind the scenes, we made moves that helped us tighten our process and raise the bar. We leveled up our tools, streamlined how we collaborate, and focused on the systems that keep quality high and momentum steady. These updates didn’t make the headlines, but they made a clear difference in how we serve clients.
One of the big wins this year: HRVST became an official Shopify Plus Partner. It’s something we’ve been building toward for a while. Now we’re set up to take on bigger builds, deeper integrations, and more ambitious brand work across the board – a milestone that reflects not just where we are now, but what we’re ready to take on next.
Projects that moved the needle
We worked with over 70 brands this year. Some were full-scale builds. Others were identity systems, packaging, or long-term creative and development support for clients selling online and offline.
The projects took us across fashion, food, and CPG, and into tech, software, furniture, wellness, insurance, retail, and education – a healthy mix that kept us on our toes.
Recognition without the noise
We don’t build for awards, but when the work gets recognized, we’ll take it.
This year we picked up Awwwards nominations for Gradwear and Vista Properties, while Post Labs, Studio 44, and Solterra each earned Honorable Mentions.
A nice moment for the team. Even better that every one of those projects started the same way – a smart client, a strong brief, and a shared focus on what matters.
Showing up beyond the screen
We focused on showing up for our community in ways that matter.
For the 5th consecutive year, we gave our time to a program we believe in, Bread & Beyond, connecting communities to the reality and needs of people experiencing and at risk of homelessness.
We took part in the CCOIM Golf Tournament, a chance to connect with local businesses and stay involved in the community.
We piloted a coaching program at West Island College. It’s now continuing into a second semester, helping students find their way through entrepreneurship.
And through our ongoing partnership with GoodAPI, we put a simple idea into action: planting a tree for every new newsletter subscriber. It’s a small thing with steady impact. Nothing over the top. Just a commitment we plan to keep building on.
What 2025 taught us
This year confirmed what we were already seeing up close:
If your site is slow, your brand is slipping.
If your messaging is unclear, your conversions will be too.
If your back-end is brittle, growth is going to hurt.
If you don’t have a system, you don’t have a brand.
That’s the quick version.
The longer version? Brands are getting smarter. They’re building for performance, clarity, and adaptability. They’re simplifying tech stacks, tightening design systems, investing in retention, and treating AI as a workflow tool rather than a headline. Founders want partners who can think across design, dev, and strategy – not vendors checking boxes. And consumers are rewarding brands that feel real, move fast, and deliver value without the noise.
Those that win in 2026 won’t be the loudest. They’ll be the clearest, the fastest, and the most prepared to scale.
What’s next
2026 is already moving. Big builds are underway. New clients are coming in. And we’ve got a few ideas we’re ready to test.
If you’re still shaping your next move, fill out the form. If you already know what you need, book a call.
We’re ready when you are.
