WHAT IS SPUR?
a community spurring innovation and enterprise
Welcome to SPUR Innovation Centres, founded in the heart of Canada’s Technology Triangle in Kitchener-Waterloo. Renowned as the world’s top per capita startup community, with locations across Canada, we SPUR innovation, collaboration, and technological advancement.
Sam Altman – CEO Y Combinator:When asked if any one school stood out in terms of students and graduates whose ideas took off. “Yes,” Altman responded. The Reporter, Bruni was prepared to hear Altman tout his alma mater Stanford. After all it’s famous as a feeder of Silicon Valley success. But Altman surprised him: “The University of Waterloo.” “It’s (Kitchener Waterloo) such a high-density pool of talent.
Strategic Location and Infrastructure Boasting millions of square feet of high-tech, custom-designed space, SPUR centers are strategically situated next to tech giants such as Google, data centers, airports, rail and transportation hubs, ensuring seamless connectivity for both data and logistics. The centres are a natural collision space for ideas, offering bespoke manufacturing, lab and space solutions, and other resources that are needed to SPUR success.
Innovation and Diversity of Success Our ecosystem nurtures startups across diverse fields such as AI, Nanotechnology, Blockchain, Medical Sciences, VR, and more. Success stories abound, with graduates from prestigious incubators like Velocity Garage, the Accelerator Center, Communitech, Y-Combinator and more.
Global Reach and Selectivity At SPUR, we don’t just focus on local talent; our reach is global. We apply a discerning strategy to select only the most promising startups worldwide.
Government and Community Support Backed by regional, provincial, and federal support, we provide an environment conducive to high-tech business alliances and innovation. Our culture of innovation is continuously nurtured, offering a dynamic and proactive community for growth.
Invitation We invite you to join this thriving hub of innovation. We invite you to become part of this transformative journey, not only for substantial returns but also to drive the future of global innovation and enterprise. SPUR Innovation Centre means partnering with a leader in technological advancement and startup success. Together, we can spur the next generation of world-changing enterprises.
WHY SPUR
We believe innovators can change the world. That’s why we invest in and accelerate impactful startups to spur a thriving ecosystem of change-makers.
SPUR leverages its global network and resources to drive your success. With expert partners and tailored solutions to achieve your goals.
We provide leading-edge data centers, flex industrial / lab / tech / office spaces in strategic tech hubs—backed by funding and resources to spur success.
SPUR recognizes entrepreneurs are the foundation of the economy. We proudly support them to nurture thriving and dynamic communities and growth.
Join US and be part of THE thriving SPUR community
Our MANDATE
At SPUR, our mandate is to ignite a culture of relentless innovation, foster a thriving community, and drive unparalleled success. We are committed to pushing boundaries, empowering individuals, and transforming industries through cutting-edge technology and visionary leadership.
OUR MISSION
Nurture the best people in the culture of innovation, connection and creativity yielding the top results.
- PEOPLE:
- We believe success is what happens when the impact of what we do is grounded in the needs of our community
- PROACTIVE
- We are go-getters that do not wait for the change to come to our community. We actively seek it.
- CONNECTION:
- Business problems are more connected than we think, therefore, to solve them more efficiently; our solutions need to be connected as well.
- ACCESSIBILITY:
- A diverse community provides the opportunity to share strengths, resources, experiences, knowledge and connections.
Total number of Software startups of Toronto-Waterloo corridor in 2024.
Total number of Tech startups of Toronto-Waterloo corridor in 2024.
Canada Tech Ranking – Waterloo Region
CBRE Research conducted labour quality assessment for software developers by the number and concentration of software engineers with three or more years of experience and who have graduated from one of the top 25 computer science programs in the U.S and Canada. While being amongst the highest cost tech labour markets, Waterloo Region also offers the highest concentration of quality tech talent.
- %
Between 2020 and 2024, Waterloo Region had the fastest-growing technology labor pool in Canada, with a 52% increase in technology jobs (over 9,100 technology jobs added).
Internationally, their reputation is off the charts. I’m not sure Canadians understand that,” In just the past five years, 1,845 new technology startups have formed in the area many call KW, raising at least $650-million in investment.
Quite a lot of people get attracted a little bit to higher salaries in the Valley, but they come back. It’s not just about salaries; it’s about quality of life, and it isn’t just about living in sun every day. I mean, California’s pretty close to a desert, and the traffic congestion is beyond belief.