Waterloo
Despite being significantly smaller than the other cities on this list, Waterloo is considered one of the best startup ecosystems in the country. The city has the densest startup population outside of Silicon Valley and more than 1,000 startups with a population of 100,000. Waterloo’s talent pool is not to be scoffed at. According to independent estimates, there are about 280,000 college-educated tech professionals in the city, which is certainly worth noting, compared to the 380,000 residents of all of Silicon Valley.
Unlike larger cities, which often have a tougher business environment, Waterloo prides itself on being the optimal location for the growth and development of tech startups. While local projects tend to support each other independently, the government also continues to support startups in the area. The city’s Communitech Innovation Center was formed jointly by government, corporations and individual companies and offers startups significant financial and expert resources and assistance.
Edmonton
Last, but not least, is Edmonton, Canada. This is another great city that leads the country in a number of industries such as biotechnology, oil and gas, digital technology and mass communications.
Startup incubators like Startup Edmonton and TEC Edmonton help promote the city’s entrepreneurial community and create a culture of innovation that permeates everything here.
Like the other cities on this list, Edmonton also has a strong and intelligent talent pool thanks to a long list of strong schools.
While it may seem that a successful startup should only be launched in Silicon Valley or New York City with little effort. To an international entrepreneur, it is easy to realize that you don’t necessarily have to start your dream business in the US. Every startup and entrepreneur has different opportunities, needs and priorities. But, if you are looking for the best city for your startup, the above list is a great place to start that search.
Across Canada, there are many great services, non-profit organizations, startup incubators, startup events and resources to help new companies grow. New opportunities like revenue-based funding are becoming available all the time, making the country an even better place to do business.