The Startup Ecosystem of Toronto-Markham Area

Toronto, the stands as an important financial hub in Canada and proudly claims its spot among the world’s favored destinations for startups. Several key factors contribute to this distinction: a global demographic mix, a ,network of accelerators and incubators, and an accessible and friendly startup community.

In the past, Toronto’s startups often migrated south of the border or opted for early acquisitions, resulting in few substantial exits or IPOs within the city. However, winds of change are sweeping through Toronto’s startup ecosystem. The city’s startups are rising fueled by a robust network of entrepreneurs and startup resources, including universities, accelerators, and coworking spaces.

One standout success story in Toronto’s startup realm is FreshBooks, co-founded by Michael Dermont and Joe Sawada in 2004 to address small business accounting challenges. FreshBooks has rapidly ascended to become a leading cloud accounting solution, attracting investments from prominent backers like Oak Investment Partners, Atlas Venture, and Georgian Partners.

Wave, another notable player, offers award-winning free software encompassing invoicing, accounting, receipt scanning, and personal finance. This is complemented by a suite of financial services, including payment processing, payroll, and lending. As of January 2018, over 3 million businesses worldwide have embraced Wave to enhance their operations.

1Password takes center stage by providing comprehensive control over passwords and sensitive business data. As an integral component of the Identity and Access Management (IAM) stack, 1Password safeguards all employee accounts, including those that might slip under the radar. It furnishes employees with secure access to apps and services, enabling safe collaboration by sharing logins, documents, credit card information, and more while maintaining stringent privacy.

Toronto’s startup scene is growing because of a mix of reasons. Some say it’s because living here is cheaper than in places like New York and San Francisco. Salaries are not super high, and there’s not too much competition for tech workers. Others think it’s good because there aren’t as many tech companies here, so it’s easier to get noticed. And some like the friendly and helpful people in the startup community here.

One recurring theme in Toronto’s appeal as a startup hub is its diverse and globally-oriented population. This demographic diversity enables startups to envision their products within a global context.

Additionally, Toronto has witnessed a growth of incubators, accelerators, and coworking spaces that are driving startup growth. WToronto’s startup ecosystem is now mature enough for startups to engage with mentors, exchange ideas, and develop products with global reach. To sustain this momentum, it must continue evolving to keep pace with other top ranked ecosystems preventing any brain drain and capital flight.