Waterloo’s international reputation is built on tech talent and tech companies, for good reason. This is one of North America’s most exciting emerging tech hubs.
What’s at the foundation of Waterloo’s tech ecosystem? Canada’s top technology university – the University of Waterloo – to start. But, talent alone doesn’t get the job done. To support this talent, the local community has built an ecosystem with clear success at helping tech companies start and grow.
Together, organizations like Communitech, Velocity and the Accelerator Centre have helped to grow unicorns like Faire and ApplyBoard, robotics innovators like Clearpath Robotics and Deep Trekker, as well as hundreds of startups working in security, fintech, artificial intelligence and medtech.
Take an immersive 360-degree look at five of these organizations:
Communitech Hub
One of Canada’s leading innovation hubs, Communitech instigates collaboration and connection in the local tech community. Serving as a clubhouse of sorts for the local tech community, and providing critical support in growth and training, Communitech is one of the greatest drivers of Waterloo’s tech ecosystem.
In the 360-degree video above, you’ll see Area 151 – one of the collaboration spaces within the Communitech Hub at The Tannery, which also houses dozens of startups, the Velocity incubator and the D2L headquarters. Below, you’ll see Innovation Alley, the home of corporate innovation outposts for major international companies like TD Bank, BlackBerry and more.
Communitech Data Hub
An extension of the Communitech Hub’s footprint in Waterloo, the Data Hub is a data-focused innovation space located in Uptown Waterloo that hosts dozens of startups and bigger data businesses like CIBC.
Accelerator Centre
Another of Waterloo’s tech clubhouses, the Accelerator Centre is Canada’s #1 private business accelerator. They’re also among the top 5 globally and have been named Canada’s FinTech and AI Accelerator of the Year for two years in a row. The organization offers a wide variety of programs and resources, including The Accelerator Program, AC Jumpstart, the Hardware Innovation Lab and the Startup Visa.
Companies that have graduated from Accelerator Centre programs include ApplyBoard, Clearpath Robotics, Bonfire, Intellijoint Surgical and Axonify.
The Accelerator Centre also has a space at EVOLV1, Canada’s first Zero Carbon Building located at the David Johnston Research + Technology Park, which includes the TD Sustainable Future Program.
Velocity
Velocity is Canada’s most productive startup incubator and the University of Waterloo’s leading entrepreneurship program. Velocity has helped along 300+ startups and Velocity-funded startups have a 83% survival rate. From idea to product development to commercialization, Velocity provides the knowledge, tools, space and network that startups and entrepreneurs need for success.
Companies that have graduated from Velocity’s program include Avidbots, Faire, Vidyard and Voltera.
Catalyst137
Catalyst137 is a world-class hub built for growth-oriented, globally-focused firms with a technology and hardware focus. With over 475,000 square feet of purpose-built space, it provides the perfect location for the integration of software and hardware engineering.