Kingston has 152 startups in our sample database. This represents about 3% of Canada’s startups. Kingston is the 9th best startup ecosystem in Canada.
In 2023, the startup scene of Kingston shows much promise after advancing in the Global Ecosystem Index by 3 spots.
Kingston’s central location between Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal, as well as its convenient access to markets in Syracuse, New York, make it an ideal hub for business. The city’s transportation infrastructure is well-developed, with a VIA Rail stop connecting it to Canada’s main railway network.
Kingston, also known for its highly educated workforce, boasts a strong startup ecosystem supported by its exceptional education institutions. With the highest number of PhD graduates per capita nationally, Kingston is recognized for its intellectual capital. The city is home to three prestigious post-secondary institutions: Queen’s University, the Royal Military College of Canada, and St. Lawrence College.
In terms of innovation and research, Kingston offers a range of commercialization services through institutions like the Center for Advanced Computing and the Human Mobility Research Lab. These facilities contribute to the city’s thriving R&D scene.
To foster entrepreneurship and startup growth, Kingston hosts events such as the Mayor’s Innovation Challenge, encouraging startups to tackle smart city challenges. The city invests in the winning team’s idea, promoting the development of its startup ecosystem.
Private investment is also vital to the ecosystem, with the Southeastern Ontario Angel Network actively supporting local companies with the potential for growth and job creation.
The public sector plays a significant role in supporting startups through initiatives like Futurpreneur, which provides coaching, financing, and mentoring for young entrepreneurs. The Starter Company Plus program offers business training and grants for entrepreneurs aged 18 and over. Additionally, FedDev Ontario has invested over US$1B to drive innovation and growth in the region, specifically supporting high-potential firms with innovative products, technologies, and processes.
Kingston Economic Development plays a pivotal role in building a strong community and supporting the local economy. With a focus on attracting foreign direct investment, business retention and expansion, as well as nurturing startups and entrepreneurs, they leverage Kingston’s unique assets to meet the demands of the 21st-century economy.
Overall, Kingston’s startup ecosystem thrives through its educated workforce, strategic location, supportive events, private investment, and various public sector incentives. The city’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship positions it as an attractive destination for startups and investors alike.
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The health check tables allow you to look at the performance Kingston has in each of the parameters that are part of StartupBlink's ranking algorithm. There are five tables, corresponding to the three subscores, the subscore analysis and industry ana...
Kingston is ranked within the top 200 startup ecosystems globally.
Kingston’s startups excel particularly in Energy & Environment where it ranks 31 and in Hardware & IoT, and Edtech. Find out more
2023 National Rank & Change | City | Global Rank & Change | Total Score | Quantity Score | Quality Score | Business Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st 0 | 23rd + 1 | 32.630 | 00.00 | 00.00 | 00.00 | |
2nd 0 | 41st - 1 | 17.592 | 00.00 | 00.00 | 00.00 | |
3rd 0 | 44th + 1 | 15.755 | 00.00 | 00.00 | 00.00 | |
4th 0 | 68th + 21 | 9.033 | 00.00 | 00.00 | 00.00 | |
5th 0 | 76th + 15 | 8.508 | 00.00 | 00.00 | 00.00 | |
6th 0 | 111th - 7 | 6.390 | 00.00 | 00.00 | 00.00 | |
7th + 1 | 129th + 13 | 5.531 | 00.00 | 00.00 | 00.00 | |
8th - 1 | 144th - 4 | 4.505 | 00.00 | 00.00 | 00.00 | |
9th 0 | 180th + 3 | 3.449 | 00.00 | 00.00 | 00.00 | |
10th + 2 | 224th + 9 | 2.282 | 00.00 | 00.00 | 00.00 |
Within Kingston there is an increased attraction for entrepreneurs to set up their startups in industries such as Energy & Environment, Hardware & IoT, Edtech. These three industries represent about 30% of the startups represented on the Startup Ecosystem Map of Kingston.
Kingston is Canada's 9th best startup ecosystem and is ranked 62nd in North America. With a population of 0.1M - 0.5M people, Kingston is ranked 180th in the world. The city has some notable startup success stories including Sparq Systems.
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