Jason Lee is the visionary Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SmartCone Technologies, a pioneering firm at the forefront of autonomous safety and smart infrastructure innovation. Based in Ottawa, Canada, SmartCone has become synonymous with cutting-edge technologies that combine IoT, AI, robotics, and data analytics to create intelligent safety systems and real-time infrastructure management tools. Under Jason’s leadership, the company has evolved from an ambitious startup into a transformative force shaping the future of smart cities, autonomous mobility, and public safety.
From its inception, SmartCone was founded on the belief that traditional safety mechanisms and infrastructure systems were no longer sufficient in an increasingly connected and fast-paced world. Jason recognized the critical need for real-time data and intelligent automation in high-risk environments—whether on busy construction sites, at traffic intersections, or within industrial facilities. With this insight, he set out to develop a platform that would fuse cutting-edge sensors, adaptive algorithms, and cloud-based intelligence into a scalable system capable of enhancing human decision-making and saving lives.
Jason Lee’s journey into entrepreneurship and innovation is grounded in a unique blend of creativity, technical depth, and real-world problem-solving. Before founding SmartCone, he had an extensive career in technology and enterprise solutions, working on large-scale IT and infrastructure projects. His passion for solving complex societal challenges with technology led him to conceptualize SmartCone’s modular, sensor-rich architecture—one that could be deployed anywhere, adapt to specific use cases, and seamlessly integrate into broader smart-city ecosystems.
SmartCone’s flagship technology is a modular, AI-powered cone system that detects motion, environmental changes, proximity, noise, and chemical signatures, then instantly analyzes and communicates alerts to stakeholders. Designed for plug-and-play functionality, the SmartCone system can be customized for diverse applications including traffic diversion, crowd control, hazardous environment monitoring, and autonomous vehicle routing. Its ability to gather real-time data and take autonomous action has made it indispensable in settings that demand quick, intelligent responses.
Under Jason’s leadership, the company has introduced groundbreaking innovations like SC360—a suite of AI-powered cameras and sensors capable of providing 360-degree situational awareness, facial recognition, license plate identification, and object tracking. These systems are designed to be privacy-conscious and ethically responsible, reflecting Jason’s commitment to balancing safety with civil liberties. By combining open architecture and edge computing, SmartCone products deliver low-latency, high-reliability performance that public and private sector clients increasingly rely on.
Jason has strategically positioned SmartCone as not just a hardware company, but as a comprehensive platform provider. In addition to its physical devices, the company offers SmartCone Cloud—a centralized analytics and command platform that aggregates data from multiple sources, delivers predictive insights, and enables integrated responses across security, transportation, and operational systems. This cloud-based solution empowers municipalities, construction firms, airports, and event organizers to coordinate safety initiatives with unprecedented speed and precision.
Under Jason’s stewardship, SmartCone has expanded its footprint beyond Canada into the United States, Latin America, and Europe. The company’s systems have been deployed in a wide array of high-profile environments, including the Toronto Pearson International Airport, the City of Ottawa’s smart traffic pilot programs, and autonomous vehicle test zones. These deployments demonstrate not only the versatility of SmartCone’s technology but also Jason’s skill in forging public-private partnerships that accelerate smart-city adoption.
What sets Jason Lee apart as a CEO is his unrelenting commitment to innovation with impact. He believes that technology should be accessible, adaptable, and aligned with the needs of real people in real environments. As such, SmartCone’s solutions are built with modularity in mind—allowing clients to start small and scale as needed. Jason’s customer-first philosophy permeates every aspect of the company, from user interface design to deployment support, and his insistence on quality and reliability has earned SmartCone a reputation as a trusted innovator.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jason rapidly pivoted SmartCone’s technologies to support public health initiatives. The company launched SafeSpace, a contact tracing and occupancy monitoring solution that enabled businesses, factories, and public institutions to operate safely during lockdowns. This swift and socially responsive adaptation highlighted Jason’s agility and his ability to guide SmartCone in addressing emergent global challenges without losing focus on its long-term vision.
Jason’s leadership has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades, including the 2019 Startup Canada Innovation Award, a spotlight at CES (Consumer Electronics Show), and inclusion in various smart-city innovation showcases globally. His presentations and keynotes are often centered on the convergence of AI, infrastructure, and ethical responsibility—a topic he believes will define the future of urban development and public trust.
Jason is a firm believer in collaboration as a pathway to innovation. He has built strategic alliances with academic institutions, governmental agencies, technology giants, and startups alike—fostering an ecosystem of shared knowledge, co-development, and rapid prototyping. Through these relationships, SmartCone has been able to pilot and deploy solutions in real-world environments, ensuring that every iteration is informed by field-tested feedback and measurable outcomes.
Beyond his business pursuits, Jason Lee is a committed advocate for technology education and inclusive innovation. He supports local tech incubators, mentors aspiring entrepreneurs, and champions diversity within the technology sector. At SmartCone, he fosters an inclusive culture that values different perspectives and encourages team members to think boldly, experiment safely, and build with purpose.
As the global conversation around smart cities, climate resilience, and autonomous systems intensifies, Jason Lee remains focused on guiding SmartCone into its next phase of growth. His long-term vision includes expansion into intelligent energy management, climate-responsive infrastructure, and real-time urban planning systems. He sees SmartCone’s platform as a foundation for future mobility networks, connected logistics hubs, and emergency response systems that operate with unprecedented foresight and coordination.
In a world grappling with rapid urbanization, environmental uncertainty, and complex security challenges, Jason Lee’s work through SmartCone represents a beacon of hope and possibility. He proves that with the right blend of passion, technology, and leadership, it’s possible to create systems that don’t just react—but anticipate, adapt, and protect. As he continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in autonomous safety and smart infrastructure, Jason remains driven by a singular mission: to make the world a safer, smarter, and more connected place for all.