From professional development workshops to conferences that help technology companies stay competitive to informal, community-building activities. Communitech provides members with access to information, support and a connection to over 30,000 technology professionals.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a small- to mid-sized firm, or a blue-chip, publicly-held company, Communitech can offer you value.
With more than 700 member companies, we’re your connection to 33,000 tech professionals in the community, an advocate for your interests, and the voice of Canada’s fastest growing tech cluster.
Communitech membership helps you:
Find the best talent
The number one issue for tech firms is talent. Communitech’s four-pronged recruitment strategy includes:
- Recruiting new grads from local universities and colleges
- Members-only ‘Tech Vibes’ job fair events across Ontario (which we promote and manage)
- Attracting expatriate and foreign talent from other tech clusters in North America, and
- www.waterlootechjobs.com – an online resource and tech-only job board that’s free for members.
Raise your profile
We spotlight member success stories in our Tech from the Top radio spots, through member-contributed blogs our Breakfast With The Boss events, and in our weekly e-communications. Looking for more? Members can also secure high-visibility sponsorship positions at Entrepreneur Week, the CIO Summit, Tech Leadership Conference and more.
Develop your team
We have the largest Peer 2 Peer networking program in North America. We can’t keep it from growing, in fact. Our more than 30 different groups offer professional development opportunities for you and your teams. We have groups for CEOs, HR, sales, software, user experience, agile development and more. These self-policed groups share challenges and lessons-learned and often bring in expert speakers. Participate in learning programs and events focused on specific challenges in tech marketing, sales, recruitment and business strategy.
Connect to experience, grow your business
Companies of every size take advantage of our business and venture services programs, which connect founders and c-level employees with advice and coaching from our seasoned executives-in-residence. Whether you’re looking for early stage help like:
- writing a business plan
- developing your pitch
- access to market research
- access to source of public and private capital
Or SME-stage help such as:
- roadmapping your company’s product(s)
- keeping your growing organization ‘flat’
- financial challenges, tax credits and mezzanine funding
We’re here to help your start-up get off the ground and to grow your business.
Make connections
We hold more than 50 events a year, providing opportunities for you to tap into our network. From world-class keynote speakers to workshops on best practices, our events and conferences help you develop relationships.
Member Discounts
Employees of your company are eligible for individual discounts and benefits from insurers, mortgage brokers and other local organizations.
Build the future
Play a role in the Business & Education Partnership www.bus-edpartnership.org, our partner organization that’s opening career doors for youth in Waterloo Region, and helping to build an ongoing local talent stream for tech businesses. Volunteer as a speaker, engage students in a tour of your operations, or mentor through our Science Superheroes program.
Advocate your interests
We maintain ties with public decision-makers and present the interests and needs of technology companies on key issues. Our advocacy recently influenced changes to Section 116 of the Federal Tax code, thereby removing barriers to foreign investment in Canadian companies.
Promote the region
We publish research that promotes the needs of growing tech companies to all levels of government, the media, and technology professionals across the globe.
The Bottom Line
Communitech membership is an investment in your company, your people, and a thriving community of technology organizations in Waterloo Region.