Robert Dickie founded Spark Innovations Inc. in 1988 to create innovative products with strong intellectual property. After building one of Canada’s largest computer terminal manufacturers, as president of Northern Technologies Corp., a division of Lanpar Technologies Inc., Robert left to start his own company. Early in his career at Lanpar, Robert had created a cable connector that replaced six pieces with one simple to use part. This became the basis for his philosophy for Spark. From the start Spark's philosophy was to pursue opportunities “in little, high-volume things where we can innovate and patent.”

One of the first products Spark created was the Flatplug. Bob realized his baby daughter could pull the electrical plug out of wall sockets too easily, and existing plugs prevented furniture from being pushed flush against the wall. In 1989 Bob raised 1.5 million from private investors to create Paige Manufacturing Inc. to manufacture and market the 6mm thick Flatplug. With worldwide patents in place the Flatplug has sold more than 30 million units.

Soon followed Pulse Innovations formed to market the first direct drive active head electric toothbrush. This direct drive electric toothbrush developed by Spark received worldwide patents and was licensed to Proctor and Gamble and then John O. Butler to create millions of sales. This technology continues to be manufactured and marketed by Brushpoint Innovations for private label sales by major retailers.

Spark created Elumina Technologies Inc. in 2001, with investors, to manufacture and market the first electro-luminescent safety nightlight. Realizing that nightlights attract children and can cause electrocution and fires, the Spark team created and patented the Dimmable nightlight with an electroluminescent panel that produces no heat and with the KidGuard bellows protects children's little fingers from electrocution. The Elumina line of nightlights continues to grow and is sold at major retailers throughout North America.

Spark formed a partnership with an amateur chef who had an idea for a unique pastry machine in 2002. Kitchen Innovations Inc. manufacturers and markets the patented Pastry Pro and Gourmet Blender to specialty retailers throughout the world.

In 2004 Spark took a major step as a full service innovation, design and venture company by merging with Paradox Design. Steve Copeland began Paradox Design in 1986 as an industrial design office to serve clients throughout the world including Burton, Bata, Itech, Brine, MSA and Rawlings. As design supervisor at Cooper sports from 1980 to 1985, Steve created innovations in sports that changed the market. Steve’s philosophy of innovation continued through the growth of Paradox as they created products that were firsts in the mobility and protective equipment industry. The Paradox philosophy meshes well with the Spark philosophy, “create innovative high volume products that can be patented."