Invest in Tech
Canada’s Fastest Growing Tech Market
Google's Center For Innovation
Kitchener is home to Google’s largest office in Canada. Employing thousands of software engineers, user experience researchers and designers. This innovative campus is a hub of cutting edge research and development key to the design of Google’s Flagship products such as Gmail, Chrome and Google Ads.
A New home at the Breithaupt Block
In 2015 Google moved their Kitchener office to the Breithaupt Block becoming the flagship tenant. As Google has expanded their campus they have taken over 300,000sq.ft. of space, and will also be home to Google for Startups, their accelerator program.
Google For Startups
Launched in April 2020, Google for Startups Accelerator is a three-month accelerator program. Designed for Seed to Series A technology startups, this program leverages Google’s people and technology to help grow new companies in the field of machine learning and AI. Over the past 5 years it has helped 120 companies and created over 1000 jobs.
Tech Companies
With over 500 tech startups working on solutions in robotics, automation, health, artificial intelligence and beyond, Kitchener-Waterloo has positioned itself as the top-ranked tech ecosystem in Canada.
These companies invest in our local area from Google’s impressive Breithaupt campus to FluidAI Medical’s $25 million dollar investment in developing product improvements and an assembly line to meet global demand.
Notable Tech Companies Near TekTower
- D2L
- Square Canada
- FluidAI Medical
- Lone Wolf
- MedView Technologies
Google
D2L
Square Canada
FluidAI Medical
Lone Wolf
MedView Technologies
Success In Startups
With over 500 tech startups working on solutions in robotics, automation, health, artificial intelligence and beyond, Kitchener-Waterloo has positioned itself as the top-ranked tech ecosystem in Canada.
Success Starts in the Innovation District
Kitchener is home base to Communitech, Google for Startups and Velocity (Canada’s most productive incubator). All located in the Innovation District, these organizations work together to assist startups to innovate and grow. This has made the Kitchener-Waterloo to Toronto tech corridor one of the most successful tech ecosystems in the world.
Notable Start Up Support In the Area
- Â Google For Startups
- The Innovation Arena
- Treehaus Collaborative Workspace
- SDG Idea Factory
- Waterloo Region Small Business Centre
- Start Up Investment
- Reverse Mentoring Expert
Google For Startups
The Innovation Arena
Treehaus Collaborative Workspace
SDG Idea Factory
Waterloo Region Small Business Centre
Start Up Investment
Reverse Mentoring Expert
Google for Startups
Google for Startups Accelerator Canada is a three-month accelerator program for startups that leverage machine learning and AI in their company.
Communitech
An innovation hub that supports more than 1,600 local companies, from startups to multinational corporations.
The Accelerator Center
The Accelerator Centre is located nearby and short LRT ride away. It is ranked the #1 private business accelerator in the country and was named Accelerator of the Year in 2018 and 2019.
The Innovation Arena
Across the street from TEK Tower, this $35-million project serves as a collaborative space for leading minds working in the startup and health-tech industries.
A Home for Innovation
The University of Waterloo’s Innovation Arena, located in Kitchener’s t is a centre for health tech innovation, and the startup community. This new 90,000 square foot facility, a former warehouse owned by the university, includes a wet lab, biosafety labs and product development spaces. Since it’s launch, they have already helped 135 businesses which resulted in over 730 jobs created.
The Innovation Arena was the first major investment slated under the Make it Kitchener 2.0 Strategy which runs till 2030.
The Innovation Arena
Across the street from TEK Tower, this $35-million project will serve as a collaborative space for leading minds working in the startup and health-tech industries.
The 90,000 sq.ft. warehouse at Victoria and Joseph St. creates a connected health and technology community. It co-locates startups and early scaling companies to bolster the economy.
Learn More About Kitchener 2.0
U of W's Velocity Incubator
As Canada’s most productive tech incubator, Velocity helped launch several startups with valuations of over $1 Billion, a rare level of success know as "Unicorn Status" in the venture capital industry.
U of W's Velocity Incubator
As Canada’s most productive tech incubator, Velocity helped launch several startups with valuations of over $1 Billion, a rare level of success know as "Unicorn Status" in the venture capital industry.
Cultivating tech through higher education
41,000 Students in attendance, 22% of which are international
5,800 Graduate students in attendance, 40% of which are international
Ranked #2 – Best University In Comprehensive Research
Research Infosource 2025 reports U of W the #1 comprehensive research university in Canada for the past 13 years.
Ranked #2 – Best University for Employment
Maclean’s ranks U of W as the second best university in Canada for connecting students with employers through co-op programs, career fairs and one-on-one support.
Ranked #1 – Best University for Innovation
Ranked #1 in Canada by the 2025 Maclean’s University Rankings.
Ranked #1 in Reputation
Google.Ranked #1 (Comprehensive) among faculty members and hiring managers in the 2025 reputation survey, powered by Angus Reid Group.
School Of Pharmacy &
Health Sciences Campus
Located steps from TEK Tower these campuses are host to U of W's School of Optometry, School of Pharmacy and the McMaster Centre For Family Medicine
School Of Pharmacy &
Health Sciences Campus
Located steps from TEK Tower these campuses are host to U of W's School of Optometry, School of Pharmacy and the McMaster Centre For Family Medicine
19,000 Students in attendance, 7% of which are international
Founding Partners with Communitech
Laurier is a founding academic partner of Communitech, as well as hosting their own incubator program, StartUp Lab, specifically for Laurier students.
Ranked #1 - Student Satisfaction
Laurier ranked #1 in student satisfaction for the fourth year in a row in Macleans Rankings for Canadian Universities.
McMaster’s Waterloo Region campus is home to the Centre for Family Medicine (CFFM) and postgraduate programs in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry and Pediatrics.
Ranked #4 – Best University in Canada
As ranked Times Higher Education 2025 University Rankings.
Ranked #4 – Best Medical Doctoral Degree Program
Ranked #4 in Canada by the 2025 Maclean’s University Rankings.
With over 29,000 students in enrolled, Conestoga College is a provincial leader in apprenticeship training and one of the country’s top research colleges.
Ranked #1 – Best College in Ontario
As ranked by CourseCompare and Saigon Business School.
87% Employment in 6 Months
Conestoga College produces highly employable graduates, in 2022-2023. 90% of graduates found employment within 6 months.