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We graduate over 25,000 students in STEM related programs every year in the Toronto Region, with nearly 290,000 people employed in tech related jobs – and that’s growing! With 18 nearby colleges and universities; including the University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo, ranking #10 and #31 globally for computer science programs (QS Rankings, 2018), your business can access some of the top tech talent in the world.
Just ask IBM, Alphabet (Google), HP, Cisco, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter how much they love being in the Toronto Region!
Amazon (2018): 2018 was a big year for Amazon in the Toronto Region. In June, Amazon committed to expanding its R&D presence by adding 200 software engineers, programmers and developers to its workforce that already employs 800 people. Another 2,000 employees are located across their fulfilment centres in Mississauga, Brampton, Milton, and Caledon. In December 2018, Amazon firmly planted its foot in Toronto by opening a 113,000 square-foot office in downtown Toronto to accommodate 600 new jobs.
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Uber(2017/2018): In 2017, Uber launched a research group devoted to driverless car technology in Toronto, creating a third hub, and its first outside the U.S. In 2018, Uber announced plans to invest an additional $200 million in its Toronto operations to focus on engineering, self-driving car technology and to launch Uber Express Pool.
Uber (2017/2018): In 2017, Uber launched a research group devoted to driverless car technology in Toronto, creating a third hub, and its first outside the U.S. In 2018, Uber announced plans to invest an additional $200 million in its Toronto operations to focus on engineering, self-driving car technology and to launch Uber Express Pool.
Samsung (2018): Samsung is setting up an engineering office in Toronto, focusing on artificial intelligence. This allows the company to tap into the rich AI ecosphere and talent pool.
Tech Mahindra (2018): This Indian-based digital transformation, consulting and business reengineering service and solutions company announced plans to develop a $100 million Centre of Excellence for AI and blockchain solutions.
Cognizant (2018): recently opened a new 50,000 square-foot technology and services delivery centre in Mississauga, which will house training rooms, a digital lab, delivery centre, co-innovation space, and up to 600 employees.
Fujitsu Laboratories (2017): Fujitsu announced a new R&D development centre in Toronto to create the next breakthroughs in quantum-inspired computing as part of a new partnership with the University of Toronto.
General Motors (2016): GM launched a dedicated Canadian Technical Centre (CTC) in Markham, a city located in York Region. The building supports 1,000 employees, including 700 dedicated engineers. The facility supports work on GM’s advanced driver assistance features, its fully autonomous vehicle program, and infotainment centre design and improvements.
The Toronto Region’s tech industry is powered by approximately 290,000 skilled workers, making it one of the largest tech hubs in the world. In the last five years, Toronto added over 82,100 tech jobs, more than any other North American city (CBRE, 2018). With 670,000 STEM degree holders and over 60,000 international students, it’s no wonder why more than three quarters of Fortune 500 companies in the technology sector have a presence in the Toronto Region.
Canada attracts international tech talent in droves. There are approximately a quarter million International students enrolled at Canadian colleges and universities – a number that has been on the rise for two decades – and one in four of them are at Toronto Region institutions. International students are eligible for a post-graduation work permit that allows them to work in Canada for up to three years, giving employers access to the best and brightest graduates from around the world.
Canada’s Global Talent Stream also helps feed our talent pipeline by providing an expedited immigration track for professionals with specialized technical expertise – including software engineers, information systems analysts, computer programmers, and digital media designers, among others.
Global Talent Stream applicants can obtain a work permit is as little as two weeks, allowing tech companies to easily access the skills they need.
Our people are our greatest strength, producing cutting edge research and launching startups in burgeoning fields like AI and cybersecurity.
We attract and retain the best and brightest from all over the world thanks to the opportunity and quality of life we offer. That’s why we were voted as the best place to live and work for software developers (Teleport, 2016).
MaRS Discovery District: MaRS works with an extensive network of partners to help entrepreneurs launch and grow the innovative companies that are building our future. Located in the heart of Canada’s largest and the world’s most diverse city, MaRS is uniquely placed to lead change. MaRS brings together educators, researchers, social scientists, entrepreneurs and business experts under one roof.
YSpace Markham: Created and managed by Innovation York, YSpace is York University’s newest community innovation hub located in the heart of Downtown Markham. YSpace helps build great companies by connecting them with high-end equipment, access to capital and a network of influencers and entrepreneurs.
Creative Destruction Lab (CDL): Located at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, CDL helps innovators transition from science projects to high-growth companies. CDL is a seed-stage program that focuses on transition phase from pre-seed to seed-stage funding.
ventureLAB IBM Innovation Space: The IBM Innovation Space – Markham Convergence Centre is a collaborative innovation hub located inside the IBM Canada Headquarters. ventureLAB manages 50,000 square feet, housing over 40+ tech companies and 250+ tenants. ventureLAB acts as the Creative Director, offering exclusive in-house programs like the Venture Services program with on-site access to advisory services to startups in the space.
OneEleven: Located in Downtown Toronto, OneEleven is home to a community of high-performing technology scaleups. Membership in OneEleven unlocks unparalleled access to a highly-curated peer network, investment capital, best-in-class partners, on-demand services, and strategic support designed specifically to help businesses successfully navigate periods of substantial growth.
RIC Centre: Located in Mississauga, RIC Centre provides business startup services and access to incubator space for entrepreneurs, startups and mature tech companies that want to kick-start growth for their enterprise.
Haltech: Haltech is at the nexus of Halton Region’s innovation ecosystem, working with technology companies to accelerate innovation for business growth. Its mission is straightforward: to help technology entrepreneurs and companies develop and transform their ideas and product innovations into well positioned, growing ventures.
Spark Centre: With two locations in Oshawa and Whitby, Spark Centre supports Durham Region and Northumberland County and serves technology and innovation entrepreneurs who require knowledge and support to launch, develop and grow.
The Toronto Region saw more than $1.4 billion in new tech investment in September 2018 alone – a record for Toronto that included:
Announced $570 million in investments, along with 500 new full-time jobs
Launching its newest engineering hub in Toronto, expanding its self-driving R&D centre and investing $200 million locally
Announced up to $500 million in investments and a new Toronto office to house thousands of employees