Backing entrepreneurs since 1997
Who's helping you start, grow and succeed? By joining Communitech’s vibrant and thriving community of tech, you’ll get access to more than resources that get results, that’s because Communitech member companies scale faster than anywhere else in Canada*.
On average, our members:
- raise 19% more capital – $28.6 million compared to $24 million;
- raise more rounds – 3.4 compared to 2.5;
- raised more on their most recent, up to 9% higher – $17 million compared to $15.9 million;
- hold more patents – 13.1 compared to 8.5; and
- have an increased financial velocity – 3.0 compared to 2.2.
Members are eligible to access and take advantage of specific Communitech services based on their membership type. Are you a non-tech company? We’ve got a membership for that too.
*Companies founded 2010 or later receiving more than $1 million investment capital. Source: Crunchbase. Compiled by: Q3 Research.
Membership types
Startup membership
You have less than 21 employees, up to $1 million in revenue, and are developing and distributing custom-built technology. Your primary source of revenue is the technology you develop.
Scale-up membership
You have more than 20 employees, over $1 million CAD in annual revenue and are developing/distributing custom-built technology. Your primary source of revenue is the technology you develop.
Corporate membership
You have more than 100 employees and operate in any business industry outside of advanced technology.
General membership
You're a ‘non-tech’ or service-based organizations. Though you may have technical roles in your organization, you primarily support Canadian tech by providing services, consulting others, retailing goods or fostering a community.
Membership fees
Communitech has an equitable pricing structure to ensure that our fees are appropriate for the purchasing powers of our customer’s organizations. Membership fees are based on the number of employees the participating organization has in Ontario, and the date of purchase.
To be eligible for our free startup membership, your organization must have less than 21 employees and be developing and distributing custom-built technology. Your primary source of revenue must be from the technology you have developed.
Tech-driven startup and scale-up membership fees
| 0-20 employees in Ontario |
21-40 employees in Ontario |
41-60 employees in Ontario |
61-100 employees in Ontario |
100+ employees in Ontario |
| Free | $2,000 / year + HST |
$3,000 / year + HST |
$4,000 / year + HST |
$5,000 / year + HST |
Corporate and general membership fees
| 1–5 employees |
6–10 employees |
11–20 employees |
21–40 employees |
41–60 employees |
61–100 employees |
100+ employees |
| $300 / year + HST |
$500 / year + HST |
$1,000 / year + HST |
$2,000 / year + HST |
$3,000 / year + HST |
$4,000 / year + HST |
$5,000 / year + HST |
Note: All non-profits have a flat rat of $300 regardless of number of employees.
We love startups. Whether you’ve just sparked an idea or are further along in product development, we’ve got your back. Eligible startups qualify for a free membership.
Who you are
Eligible startups have less than 21 employees, up to $1 million in revenue, and are developing and distributing custom-built technology. Primary source of revenue must be from the technology developed at the startup.
What’s in it for you?
- Take advantage of our free educational programming, including courses focused on pitching to investors, developing and fine-tuning customer segments as well as sales fundamentals.
- Make connections and learn from other startup founders at our exclusive startup networking group and Communitech events.
- Leverage our curated resource library and receive notice of exclusive startup focused opportunities and events with our startup members-only newsletter.
- Qualified validation stage and beyond companies receive a lead advisor and free advisory services as well as potential access to Communitech’s Growth Coaches at the discretion of your lead advisor.
As your company grows, Communitech is there for you. As a Scale-up member, not only does your company benefit, so do your employees.
Who you are
Eligible scale-ups have more than 20 employees, over $1 million CAD in annual revenue, and are developing/distributing custom-built technology. Primary source of the scale-up’s revenue must be from the technology it develops .
What’s in it for you?
- You will receive a dedicated customer success manager who will work with you to understand your company’s specific needs—keeping you top-of-mind and sharing any opportunities that will help expand your reach as well as connect you with the resources and support that you’re looking for.
- Take advantage of our Talent and Academy services to help support the growth of your company. Talent services include our Work in Tech job board, Communitech Academy programs at a preferred rate, Tech Jam recruitment events and more.
- Receive hands-on coaching from a world-class team of growth coaches. Our coaches are veteran professionals who have created, lead and sold companies as well as developed products in multiple tech sectors. Our growth coaches act as mentors to Communitech scale-ups on referral by your customer success manager.
- Communitech Outposts helps you easily grow your international sales teams—we take care of back-office services (think: payroll, benefits, local tax filings) so you (the company) can focus on revenue.
At Communitech, corporate members and the individuals lucky enough to work for a member company can access our benefits.
Who you are
Eligible Corporate companies have more than 100 employees and operate in any business industry outside of advanced technology.
What’s in it for you?
- With more than 50 events per year, your opportunity to connect and learn is pretty huge. Our major events include True North Festival, Tech Jam, Communitech AGM, CEO Dinner and our 40+ Peer2Peer networking groups.
- Take advantage of our Talent and Academy services to help support the growth of your company. Talent services include our Work in Tech job board, Communitech Academy programs at a preferred rate, Tech Jam recruitment events and more.
- From event sponsorships to strategic partnerships, there are multiple ways to showcase your brand and build relationships with local tech companies.
- Gain the confidence to transform your corporate culture and unleash new ways of thinking at all levels of your organization through our additional Corporate Innovation programs.
Get involved with the local tech community! Our general membership gives you access to Communitech’s free events and programs, our tech-focused job board as well as a wide variety of great service discounts.
Who you are
Our general membership type is designed for ‘non-tech’ or service-based organizations. Though you may have technical roles in your organization, you primarily support Canadian tech by providing services, consulting others, retailing goods or fostering a community. This could include government entities or academic associations.
What’s in it for you?
- With more than 50 events per year, your opportunity to connect and learn is pretty huge. Our major events include True North Festival, Tech Jam, Communitech AGM, and our 40+ Peer2Peer networking groups.
- Take advantage of our Talent and Academy services to help support the growth of your company. Talent services include our Work in Tech job board, Communitech Academy programs, Tech Jam recruitment event, and more.
- Participate in our Member2Member discount program, which allows Communitech member companies to offer discounts or affinity programs to other Communitech member companies.
- Explore our partnership opportunities to elevate your brand in Waterloo Region and reach potential customers.