Mar 14, 2017

Accolades awarded ahead of talent attraction campaign targeting ex-pats

Expert Market’s latest report identified Ottawa as the top tech hub in which to live and work in Canada. The detailed report takes into account many indicators, including key quality of life factors such as the cost of living and average commuting time. Ottawa outranked every Canadian city, promising a hub in which one can thrive both professionally and personally.

“I have globe-trotted for more than 30 years in business, and I can honestly say there is nowhere else in the world I want to be,” says Michael Tremblay, President and CEO of Invest Ottawa, “With the abundance of job opportunities available, paired with the unbeatable lifestyle offering, it comes as no surprise that Ottawa ranked as the top Canadian tech hub.”

The announcement coincides with the March 14 launch of Invest Ottawa’s new talent attraction campaign. Called “Work in Ottawa,” Invest Ottawa will run a multi-tactic campaign over the next two months, showcasing the city’s top talent and the exciting lives they lead. Working with national initiatives such as Go North Canada, the goal is to attract tech talent to the capital, to work in one of our 1700 technologies companies.

“Having started a number of businesses in Ottawa, I can’t imagine setting up anywhere else,” says Jason Flick, CEO and Co-Founder of You.i, “It’s a place where people are excited to live, can afford to own a home with a lifestyle to match. This has translated to a thriving community of the world’s brightest tech minds, mentors, and international development that only the nation’s capital can offer.”

Ottawa has also won over the hearts of international founders, such as Solon Angel, Chief Strategy Officer and Founder of MindBridge.ai: “I have co-founded startups in Paris and San Francisco, but have never experienced the level of support by both the institutions and individuals, as I have experienced in Ottawa.” He adds, “It has a remarkable quality of life, incredible people, nearly limitless tech talent, amazing outdoors.”

Invest Ottawa has worked diligently to attract foreign companies, such as Legend Software. James O’Brien, Director at Legend Software, explains that lifestyle was a primary reason that made Ottawa the place to open their first international office: “We ultimately chose Ottawa as it has a smaller city vibe that is very family-friendly and offered great lifestyle opportunities. This was important for me personally since I have a young family to settle.”