Canada has a robust startup ecosystem, with many innovators and entrepreneurs striving to bring new ideas to life.
Whether you're a budding entrepreneur wanting to join the ranks of leading startups or an investor seeking out your next big opportunity, understanding who's making waves in Canada is essential.
Canada's startup ecosystem is ranked fourth in the world.- Source: StartupBlink
In this blog post, we will explore some of the top startups in Canada that have made their mark on the tech industry by challenging conventions and pushing boundaries.
Startup Ecosystem in Canada in 2024
Canada has long been home to an innovative and dynamic startup ecosystem, with a thriving community of entrepreneurs and investors.
This ecosystem has grown and evolved over the years, thanks in large part to supportive government policies and a highly educated workforce. In recent years, the Canadian startup scene has particularly flourished, with the emergence of new hubs like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, and a growing number of successful startups across a range of industries.
The Toronto-Waterloo Corridor is a major tech hub in Canada, with over 15,000 tech companies, including 5,200 startups, and around 250,000 tech workers. - Source: Startup Genome
With a wealth of resources, a supportive community, and a track record of success, the startup ecosystem in Canada is no doubt set to continue to thrive in the years ahead.
Top Startups in Canada (2024 - List)
Here are some of the top startups in Canada:
1. Blockstream
Founders: Adam Back, Erik Svenson, Pieter Wuille
Funding Amount: $424M
Founded Year: 2014
Blockstream is a cutting-edge technology company at the forefront of Bitcoin and blockchain innovation. With a focus on providing solutions for financial markets, Blockstream has developed a range of groundbreaking products and services that enable users to securely transact and transfer digital assets.
2. Ada
Founders: David Hariri, Mike Murchison
Funding Amount: $190.6M
Founded Year: 2016
Ada is a ground-breaking company at the forefront of automated customer experience technology. Their innovative chatbots are revolutionizing the way businesses interact with their customers, making customer support more efficient and effective than ever before.
3. Clio
Founders: Jack Newton, Rian Gauvreau
Funding Amount: $386M
Founded Year: 2008
Clio is a web-based suite of tools designed to help law firms manage their practices more effectively. With Clio, you can track time, generate invoices, and collaborate with clients all in one place. This powerful practice management system is specifically designed for small law firms, so you can be sure that it will meet your unique needs. And because Clio is completely web-based, you can access your data from anywhere, giving you the flexibility to work how you want to work.
4. ApplyBoard
Founders: Martin Basiri, Massi Basiri, Meti Basiri
Funding Amount: $491.2M
Founded Year: 2015
ApplyBoard is revolutionizing the way that students apply to study abroad. As a Canadian-based technology company, ApplyBoard makes it easy for international students, recruitment partners, and educational institutions to connect and collaborate on a single platform. From narrowing down school choices to submitting applications and receiving acceptance letters, ApplyBoard streamlines the entire process. By leveraging innovative technology, ApplyBoard is simplifying the study abroad search for students and making it accessible to everyone.
5. Trulioo
Founders: Stephen Ufford, Tanis Jorge
Funding Amount: $474.8M
Founded Year: 2011
Trulioo is an online verification company that takes security and privacy seriously. Its digital identity network is designed to deploy the most rigorous standards across all its processes, ensuring that its clients can trust its services. With Trulioo, customers can take comfort that their personal information is secure and only accessible to authorized parties. In addition, the company's cutting-edge technology makes verifying identity faster and more effective.
6. FreshBooks
Founders: Levi Cooperman, Michael McDerment
Funding Amount: $331.9M
Founded Year: 2003
FreshBooks is a software company that has revolutionized the accounting world for small and medium-sized businesses. Their cloud-based accounting software is a game-changer for those who want to streamline their bookkeeping processes and get a better handle on their financials. FreshBooks has become an indispensable tool for business owners who need fast, accurate financial data at their fingertips. This amazing software has made accounting easier and more manageable than ever before, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on what they do best - running their businesses.
7. Hootsuite
Founders: Dario Meli, David Tedman, Ryan Holmes
Funding Amount: $299.9M
Founded Year: 2008
As social media becomes increasingly essential for businesses and individuals alike, managing multiple accounts across various platforms becomes a daunting task. This is where Hootsuite comes in. The Canadian-based company has developed a platform that streamlines social media management for businesses, organizations, and individuals. Hootsuite offers a comprehensive toolkit that allows users to schedule posts, track analytics, manage interactions, and monitor mentions and hashtags, all in one handy dashboard. The platform integrates with a wide range of social media networks, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
8. Wealthsimple
Founders: Brett Huneycutt, Michael Katchen, Rudy Adler
Funding Amount: CA$1.1B
Founded Year: 2014
Wealthsimple is a well-known financial tool that helps investors grow and manage their money. Offering a simple yet effective way to build a diversified portfolio of ETFs, this platform offers investors peace of mind and guidance in achieving their financial goals. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out with your financial journey, Wealthsimple offers an all-in-one solution tailored to your needs.
9. Black Banx
Founders: Aby Sousa, Michael Gastauer, Peter Arnold
Funding Amount: $382.3M
Founded Year: 2014
Black Banx is a modern banking solution that takes the traditional banking experience to a new level. With its focus on digital technology, Black Banx provides a seamless experience for private and business clients. As a digital bank, it offers real-time account opening and cross-border payments, making international transactions easier and more efficient.
10. KOHO Financial
Founders: Daniel Eberhard, Jonathan Bixby, Joshua Bixby, Mike Benna
Funding Amount: $278.9M
Founded Year: 2014
KOHO Financial is a financial services provider that is revolutionizing the way people access and manage their money. Their application-based banking platform offers a range of financial products that are designed to simplify the often-complex world of personal finance.
11. Xanadu
Founders: Christian Weedbrook
Funding Amount: $265.5M
Founded Year: 2016
Xanadu has quickly become a leading provider of cutting-edge technology for quantum computing. As a company, Xanadu understands the immense impact that quantum computing will have on the future, and they are dedicated to providing the necessary hardware, software, applications, and simulators to make quantum computing accessible to everyone.
12. Tenstorrent
Founders: Ivan Hamer, Ljubisa Bajic, Milos Trajkovic
Funding Amount: $334.5M
Founded Year: 2016
Tenstorrent is a computing company that is leading the way in developing processors that can handle the demands of modern machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms. Their state-of-the-art technology offers faster processing times and adaptability to future advancements in the field. Tenstorrent's dedication to research and development has earned them a reputation as a leader in the industry, with professionals across the tech sector taking notice of their impressive work.
13. Jobber
Founders: Forrest Zeisler, Sam Pillar
Funding Amount: $183.5M
Founded Year: 2011
Jobber is a powerful cloud-based software solution, designed to help mobile service businesses streamline their operations and increase efficiency. With Jobber, businesses can easily manage their scheduling, invoicing, customer relationship management (CRM), and team management, all within one intuitive platform. With its user-friendly interface, powerful features, and dedicated customer support, Jobber is the perfect solution for any business looking to improve their workflow, increase productivity, and provide a better customer experience.
14. League
Founders: Dan Galperin, Daniel Leibu, Michael Serbinis
Funding Amount: $171.1M
Founded Year: 2014
League is a platform technology company that is revolutionizing the healthcare industry. With its cutting-edge solutions, they are empowering next-generation healthcare consumer experiences. The company's innovative approach to healthcare provides customers with reliable, user-friendly tools that enable them to conveniently access healthcare services and stay informed about their health.
15. Jasper
Founders: Chris Hull, Dave Rogenmoser, John Philip Morgan
Funding Amount: $131M
Founded Year: 2015
Jasper, an AI writing tool developed specifically for businesses, is here to help. With a focus on creating high-quality marketing copy, Jasper is able to assist with content like blog entries, product descriptions, company biographies, ad content, and social media captions. By utilizing this powerful tool, businesses can ensure that their messaging is clear, concise, and effective, allowing them to stand out in a crowded digital marketplace.
16. Figment
Founders: Andrew Cronk, Lorien Gabel, Matt Harrop, Ryan Funduk
Funding Amount: $164M
Founded Year: 2018
As the Web 3 ecosystem continues to evolve, there is a growing need for reliable partners that can support innovation and long-term growth. Figment is one such company, offering a range of solutions that are designed to help developers, investors and other stakeholders navigate this exciting new landscape.
17. Vention
Founders: Etienne Lacroix, Max Windisch
Funding Amount: $138.8M
Founded Year: 2016
With Vention, the future of digital manufacturing is now accessible to engineers and manufacturing professionals. This next-generation platform revolutionizes the way custom factory equipment is designed, ordered, and assembled. It enables users to complete the entire process within just a few days, providing them with the flexibility to respond rapidly to any requirement.
18. Bench
Founders: Adam Saint, Ian Crosby, Jordan Menashy, Pavel Rodionov
Funding Amount: $109.4M
Founded Year: 2012
Bench is a fintech company that specializes in providing online bookkeeping services for small businesses. With Bench, small business owners can feel confident that their financial records are in capable hands. The company's professional team of bookkeepers is highly skilled in managing the financial aspects of any business, no matter how complex. What sets Bench apart is its user-friendly platform, which allows business owners to easily navigate and review financial records online.
Most Asked Questions
1. Is Canada good for startups in 2024?
There's no doubt that Canada has become a hub for startups in recent years, with several cities boasting thriving ecosystems that provide a host of resources and support for entrepreneurs. But is Canada truly a good destination for startups? Well, the short answer is yes. From tax incentives to a highly educated workforce, there are numerous advantages to launching a business in Canada. What's more, the country's diverse culture and supportive government policies make it an inviting place for founders from around the world.
2. What are the most successful startups in Canada?
From fintech to education, Canadian startups are breaking barriers and leading the way in innovation. Among the most successful startups in Canada are Blockstream, Ada, Clio, and ApplyBoard. These startups have not only disrupted their respective industries but have also attracted significant funding and a loyal customer base. With innovative solutions and a talented workforce, these companies are sure to continue their success in the years to come.
3. What are the advantages of starting a business in Canada?
Canada offers numerous advantages for entrepreneurs who are considering starting up a new business. Firstly, it has a prosperous economy with a stable political environment that inspires confidence among investors. Additionally, the Canadian government provides a wide range of business incentives, tax breaks, and grants to support startups. This helps reduce startup costs and allows entrepreneurs to reinvest more funds into their businesses. Furthermore, Canada is known for its highly skilled and culturally diverse workforce. This provides businesses with the opportunity to tap into a broad range of skills and knowledge to develop innovative products and services. Overall, starting a business in Canada can be an exceptional opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to take advantage of its flourishing economy, supportive business environment, and diverse talent.