OVHcloud, a leading force in the cloud computing industry and a top European provider, is advancing its global strategy with the opening of its second Canadian data centre in Waterloo Region.
Housed within a former BlackBerry facility in Cambridge, one of the region’s communities, this marks OVHcloud’s 42nd global data centre. With a forward-looking CAD $145M investment over the next eight years, the company aims to enhance its infrastructure to meet the sophisticated needs of Canadian businesses, focusing on performance, resilience and data governance.
And the expansion is enthusiastically received. “OVHcloud is an excellent fit in the Waterloo region tech ecosystem,” says Tony LaMantia, President & CEO at Waterloo EDC. “An innovative company – a disruptor – that offers sustainable and secure cloud solutions, OVHcloud is not only an exciting new investment in our community’s success but also a valued partner to the startup community and businesses that value data sovereignty, like cybersecurity, fintech, insurance and more,” LaMantia adds.
Now in operation, the Cambridge data centre is a shining example of OVHcloud’s commitment to innovation and environmental sustainability. Occupying 10,000 square feet, the centre employs a “Private Powered Shell” model, marrying the high security of an existing structure with the company’s advanced operational technologies, such as patented water-cooling systems. This approach not only guarantees operational control but also aligns with Ontario’s eco-friendly energy policy, utilizing 92% zero-carbon electricity.
Read the press release for more information.
OVHcloud opens a new data centre in Cambridge, Ontario.
Deepening roots in Canada
The decision to choose Waterloo over Toronto was influenced by the region’s unique innovation ecosystem. Guillaume Gilbert, Senior Communications Manager – Americas at OVHcloud, shared that Waterloo’s rich history and vibrant tech community presented an “unparalleled value.”
This expansion reinforces the company’s commitment to Canada’s tech landscape since the inception of its Montreal hub and Beauharnois data centre in 2012. “Expanding in Waterloo opens a crucial chapter in our Canadian story, in one of the most vibrant innovation and tech ecosystems in North America,” Gilbert says.
Opportunities for innovation
OVHcloud’s Cambridge location will offer a wide range of flagship solutions, including High Grade servers and Hosted Private Cloud services. Gilbert emphasized the goal of providing a versatile alternative for companies looking to navigate the evolving demands of multi-cloud and hybrid cloud environments, while keeping a close eye on cost optimization and data residency.
Additionally, this new site will cater to the stringent governance requirements of regulated industries, enhancing OVHcloud’s capability to support sectors like healthcare and financial services.
The US Cloud Act has raised significant concerns among companies worldwide regarding data privacy, as it grants the US government access to data stored by US companies, regardless of the data’s location.
OVHcloud’s strategic decision to expand into Waterloo serves as a direct response to these concerns. “Choosing Canada for our expansion was about giving our customers peace of mind and control over their digital journey,” explains Gilbert. “Our European DNA and Canada’s strong privacy laws assure them their data stays private and immune from any extraterritorial laws,” he adds.
The new Canadian data centre will cater to highly regulated industries such as healthcare and financial services.
Community support and integration
OVHcloud’s Waterloo Region expansion goes beyond just setting up a data centre; it’s about integrating deeply into the local community and tech ecosystem.
Initially focused on filling operations and maintenance roles, the team is exploring broader collaboration opportunities with local support organizations such as the University of Waterloo, Communitech, the Accelerator Centre and the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC).
These discussions revolve around leveraging OVHcloud’s infrastructure and platform services to support startups and innovation projects, including those in quantum computing, where OVHcloud has made significant strides.
The company also has an active startup program offering up to $150,000 in cloud credits, personalized support and access to global markets, emphasizing interoperable and reversible cloud solutions. This approach aims to prevent startups from being locked into a single ecosystem, ensuring they maintain control over their data and digital destiny.
Waterloo EDC’s role was instrumental in facilitating OVHcloud’s expansion, showcasing the collaborative and welcoming spirit of the Waterloo tech community. The company’s European DNA, rooted in data control and digital sovereignty, resonates well with Canadian values, making this partnership especially compelling.
Learn more about Waterloo EDC’s business expansion services.
Tech innovation happens here
OVHcloud’s strategic move into Waterloo marks a significant milestone for both the company and the region. It not only strengthens OVHcloud’s presence in Canada but also sets a new benchmark in cloud computing, offering a model of technological excellence combined with community engagement and sustainability.
This expansion will help generate job growth and enhance the local tech ecosystem, solidifying Waterloo’s position as a leading destination for innovative businesses to grow.
About OVHcloud
OVHcloud is a global player and the leading European cloud provider operating over 450,000 servers within 42 data centres across four continents to reach 1.6M customers in over 140 countries.
With a strong presence in Canada since 2011, OVHcloud is spearheading a trusted cloud and pioneering a sustainable cloud with the best performance-price ratio, leveraging for over 20 years an integrated model that guarantees total control of its value chain: from the design of its servers to the construction and management of its data centres, including the orchestration of its fiber-optic network.
This unique approach enables OVHcloud to independently cover all the uses of its customers so they can seize the benefits of an environmentally conscious model with a frugal use of resources and a carbon footprint reaching the best ratios in the industry. OVHcloud now offers customers the latest-generation solutions combining performance, predictable pricing and complete data sovereignty to support their unfettered growth.