Located just 26 kilometers from downtown Ottawa, Kanata North stands as Canada’s largest technology park, hosting over 540 companies primarily in the tech sector. Represented by the Kanata North Business Association (KNBA), this vibrant business ecosystem has been fostering innovation and attracting top talent for more than fifty years.

A Legacy of Innovation

The roots of Kanata North trace back to 1948 with the founding of global defense contractor Computing Devices Canada. Later, the establishment of Microsystems International Ltd. in 1968 and the Canadian government’s investment in Northern Electric and Bell-Northern Research laid the foundation for the region’s tech industry. This small rural area outside Ottawa soon became a hub for some of Canada’s earliest tech talents.

In the early 1970s, Denzil Doyle, CEO and founder of Digital Equipment Canada, purchased 56 acres of farmland in Kanata with a vision to create a technology park. This vision attracted pioneers like Mitel founders Michael Cowpland and Sir Terry Matthews, who opened their office in 1972, further solidifying Kanata’s reputation as a tech hub.

A Thriving Tech Ecosystem

Over the decades, Kanata North has seen significant growth, with companies like Nortel Networks contributing to its rise. By the 1990s, the area boasted over 90 companies founded or co-founded by former Microsystems employees, valued at over $3 billion. Even the 2009 demise of Nortel had a silver lining, as it released a wealth of tech talent into the region.

Today, Kanata North contributes more than $13 billion annually to Canada’s GDP. Its workforce is four times more productive than the national average, housing tech companies with a global reach.

Mitel: A Success Story

Mitel, known as the “original global multinational,” remains a prominent company in Kanata North. The company’s innovative business model, which included incentivizing employees with equity, played a vital role in its success. This shared perspective of growth has been a cornerstone for many companies in the park.

A Future-Thinking Community

Formed in 2013, the KNBA advocates for and supports local member companies while promoting the region to new businesses. In 2021, the introduction of Hub350 provided a central collaboration space where students, talent, investors, companies, and creatives can connect.

Combining post-secondary R&D with diverse talent pipelines, startups, funders, and enterprise-level companies, KNBA is building on its rich history to propel Kanata North into a promising future. According to a CBRE report, Canada’s tech talent workforce grew by 15.7% from 2020 to 2022, with Ottawa leading North American markets in tech talent employment.

Sylvain Charbonneau, VP of research and innovation at the University of Ottawa, sums it up: “Great things happen in Kanata North.” From a decades-old dream in a cornfield to a groundbreaking business community, Kanata North continues to explore the art of the possible, fueling its future with innovation and connectivity.

For more information about the KNBA tech ecosystem, visit Kanata North BA. For career opportunities in Kanata North, visit Discover Technata.