Waterloo has been recognized as the leading destination for tech talent in North America among regions with industry employment under 50,000.
This recognition comes from Business Facilities Magazine in its 2023 Metro Rankings Report, which recognizes cities and metropolitan areas for attracting and retaining businesses. The Tech Talent Leaders category, specifically, “showcases the availability of potential employees with a concentration on tech skills.”
The report is a helpful resource for corporate site selectors who evaluate locations for businesses looking to relocate or expand.
In this year’s rankings, Waterloo stands alongside other Canadian cities with up to 50,000 tech employees, such as Calgary and Edmonton. Vancouver and Ottawa made the top-5 for mid-sized cities and Toronto ranked 3rd in the large metros category.
The top-10 Tech Talent Leaders in small cities are:
- Waterloo Region, Ontario
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Calgary, Alberta
- Orlando, FL
- Madison, WI
- Columbus, OH
- Edmonton, Alberta
- Indianapolis, IN
- Sacramento, CA
- Hartford, CT
This first-place ranking strengthens Waterloo’s reputation as a global hub for tech innovation and talent. The region is home to leading tech companies like Google, EPAM Systems and OpenText, as well as a vibrant startup and scale-up scene supported by leading innovation hubs such as Communitech and Velocity.
Plus, we have some of the world’s top research and academic institutions producing the next generation of ideas and talent in tech, all within a short distance of each other.
CBRE, a top commercial real estate and investment firm, also ranked Waterloo as the #1 small tech talent market in North America in their last two reports.
A complete business ecosystem
While Waterloo may be known for tech – and widely lauded as one of the top tech hubs in North America – what makes our region unique is our complete ecosystem. We have top brands, talent and researchers in not just the tech industry, but across a wide variety of sectors, including manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, robotics and automation and more.
With innovation and collaboration happening across the board – made possible by world-class business leaders and talent who can use the latest technology, processes and insights to their advantage – Waterloo is helping to shape the future of every industry.
“The report reinforces what we often tell our clients. We have some of the world’s brightest minds driving innovation in our community,” said Tony LaMantia, President & CEO at Waterloo EDC. “Our spirit of collaboration, however, is what really sets us apart. We’re inventing the future together and that’s what makes Waterloo an exciting place to be.”
With its strong tech talent market and supportive ecosystem, Waterloo remains a leading destination for businesses looking to innovate and grow.
View the full 2023 Metro Rankings Report to learn more.
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