Our track record
When business leaders have no one to turn to for help, they do what comes naturally: they create a solution.
That’s just what happened in the 1980s as early technology companies sprouted up in Waterloo Region.
“They had no one else in their company to talk to,” said Ian McPhee, co-founder of technology pioneer, Watcom. “That led to a group of us coming together called the Atlas Group. When you’re running a company…you can’t talk to your employees. It’s helpful to meet with peers.”
In 1997, The Atlas Group evolved into a full-scale association when forty founding companies officially brought Communitech to life. First dubbed the Waterloo and Area Technology Association, the Communitech name stuck because it gave a better sense of the community technology association we wanted to create.
Tech firsts and tech growth
Back then, our big names on the technology scene were Watcom, NCR, Raytheon and COM DEV. Today, they’re still big, but they’re joined by other biggies that you may have heard of, like RIM, Open Text, and Dalsa.
Communitech has accomplished a lot in eight years, strengthening technology companies with networking, training and promotion; attracting new ones with developments like the technology park; encouraging the right business climate for start-ups, and the right environment to attract and keep employees.
We’ve initiated many firsts. First-ever technology forums to spotlight early-stage investment pitches. First peer-to-peer groups. First tech directory. First tech recruitment strategy.
We’re just getting warmed up
Today, Communitech is one of the distinguishing features of our technology centre. We’re at the heart of a diverse industry with an overwhelming sense of community where businesses of all sizes help each other out, regardless of their level of success. It’s something that makes Waterloo Region unique and we’re proud to help foster and promote it.
After eight years, our work is far from done. Really, we’re just beginning. We’re excited about where we’re been, but we’re even more excited about where we can go. We want more. More start-ups, more growth, more innovative talent, more promotion. Find out how we’re working with Communitech members and our technology community to get there.