Canada's Technology Triangle Inc., also known as CTT, is the not-for-profit, private-public regional economic development partnership marketing the Waterloo Region and the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo to the world. The vision of the organization is to position Canada’s Technology Triangle as a leading location in the world for investment, and to keep and attract the most innovative businesses, entrepreneurs and talent.

The Province of Ontario's Ministry of Economic Development, visit www.ontariocanada.com

The Province of Ontario's Ministry of International Trade aqnd Investment, visit the above website for ministry information.

For information about investing in Ontario's Communities, visit www.InvestinOntario.com

Waterloo Region Technology Association is an industry led member driven organization driving the dynamic growth and success of Waterloo Region’s technology companies.  Partnerships and collaboration are the keys to all Communitech activities. 

As the primary hub for initiatives and issues of concern for the area’s technology industry, Communitech works diligently to remain focused on the issues that have an impact on the continued development of critical mass within the technology community of Canada’s Technology Triangle.

Communitech (519) 888-9944
Get to know them better: www.communitech.org

Waterloo Region Small Business Centres
The Waterloo Region Small Business Centre’s mandate is to encourage and contribute to the enterprising spirit and economic development of our community by assisting entrepreneurs with the development of new and existing businesses, from start-up through to the first 5 years.

There are also Business Research and Small Business Advisors available to provide assistance with business plans, market research and general information and support involving start-up and early stage businesses.

Waterloo Small Business Centre (519) 747-6265
Get to know them better: www.waterlooregionsmallbusiness.com

Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce
An entrepreneurial spirited business community is the foundation of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.  Widely recognized and respected as one of Canada’s most dynamic Chambers, with over 1,900 members, this organization is a reflection of greater K-W’s diversified business base. Through its standing committees and task forces, over three hundred and forty dedicated chamber volunteers’ work with chamber staff to identify and address issues to help businesses grow. 

The Chamber has also developed a busy annual schedule of membership programs and activities, which include social and business networking opportunities, professional development opportunities, business forums and other focus groups for businesses large and small.

Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce  (519) 576-5000
Get to know them better: www.greaterkwchamber.com

University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo is Canada’s leading comprehensive university and a major worldwide source of graduates in science, mathematics and engineering.  Waterloo has a well-earned reputation for combining academic excellence with real-world relevance.  Technology transfer is a way of life at the University of Waterloo, where the bond forged between academia and the private sector has become an inherent part of the university’s culture.

A few of the highlights include:

• 1000-acre campus in the City of Waterloo;
• There are over 24,000 full and part-time students, 22,328 full-time undergraduate students; 1,974 part-time undergraduate students, 3,023 full-time graduate students and 613 part-time graduate students. More than 50% of Waterloo undergraduate students are involved in the pioneering cooperative education program;
• The world’s first and largest post secondary co-operative education program, Canada’s largest Faculty of Mathematics and the biggest Faculty of Engineering in Canada;
• 15 percent of Canada’s engineering graduates and 30 percent of all mathematics graduates in Ontario;
• Accounts for 22 percent of all university spin-off companies in Canada;
• Generates $1.1 billion in economic activity in the Waterloo Region annually and $1.6 billion province-wide;
• Ranked in top 3 for comprehensive universities in Canada for high quality, innovation and reputation by MACLEANS MAGAZINE for 17 years in a row (Nov, 2007); and
• Canada’s only English-language School of Optometry.
• In 2006/7, more than 95% of Waterloo co-op students found co-op employment and they earned over $125 million in the same year, much of which they spent back in the local community

Get to know them better: www.uwaterloo.ca

Wilfrid Laurier University

Conestoga College

The Conestoga College mandate is “education for employment”.  The high level of skilled employees that the Institute produces is in demand from advanced automated manufacturing companies. 

Conestoga is located in one of the fastest growing areas in Canada, Canada’s Technology Triangle and it is economically diverse and prosperous. It is home to numerous forward-looking businesses and industries with global reputations for innovations and excellence. 

A few of the highlights include:

• One of only 7 Polytechnical Institutes in Canada
• For the ninth straight year ranked as Ontario’s #1 college excelling in graduate employment and graduate satisfaction;
• Offers applied degrees in Health Informatics Management, Integrated Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, Integrated Telecommunications and Computer Technologies, Advanced Manufacturing Technologies-Wood and Composite Products and Architecture-Project and Facility Management;
• Training and Development division is the area’s largest provider of customized training for business and industrial clients;
• Over 160 full time diploma, degree, certificate and apprenticeship programs in applied arts, business, health sciences, engineering technology and trades; 96 part-time programs
• Largest provider of lifelong learning in mid-western Ontario, providing continuing education for over 38,000 students;
• 6,900 full-time post-secondary students; and
• More than 800 full and part-time faculty and an operating budget of $111 million.
• Conestoga has a productive partnership with local businesses and is a key contributor to regional growth. A recent study has also shown that Conestoga has also provided education or training to at least 40% of all adults in Waterloo Region and has a value to the local economy of at least $1.4 billion
• For nine consecutive years, Conestoga has earned top overall ranking among Ontario colleges on the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) surveys, which measure graduate employment rates and satisfaction levels, and employer and student satisfaction.

Get to know them better:

www.conestogac.on.ca

Junior Achievement programs are taught by dedicated volunteers from the Waterloo Region who give their time and business expertise to educate youth about business. All programs are offered free of charge to schools and students and are sponsored by generous area businesses, service clubs and foundations.

For more information, visit: www.jawaterlooregion.org

Manufacturing Innovation Network

This free-of-charge network provides a marketplace to facilitate local and international e-commerce; a professional network for establishing vital business connections within the manufacturing community; and a knowledge exchange for sharing information, ideas and expertise that can benefit the local manufacturing sector.  

The City of Waterloo is pleased to be a strategic partner with Igloo Inc, the Cities of Kitchener and Cambridge, the Region of Waterloo, Conestoga College, University of Waterloo, CTT , the Cambridge and Greater KW Chambers of Commerce and the Excellence in Manufacturing Corsortium (EMC) in this initiative.

Get to know them at www.waterloomin.com

Uptown Waterloo Business Improvement Area

The prime mandate of the UpTown Waterloo Business Improvement Area (BIA) is to promote and beautify the core area of Waterloo.  The BIA is a not for profit organization, financed by a levy on each property owner in the UpTown Waterloo.  They are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, voted by the membership and approved by Council. 

From a beautification perspective, the goal of the UpTown Waterloo BIA is to draw people to a core that is not only a well-developed centre of commercial activity, but also a well planned, well maintained and physically attractive area and potential living space.  As part of the principle mandate, the BIA has been carrying out beautification projects since its inception.  With participation from the City of Waterloo, projects have included tree plantings, new light standards, garbage receptacles, bicycle racks, street name signs, interlocking sidewalk bricks, hanging flower pots, spring tulips, Christmas décor, decorative tree lights, attractive benches, and decorative pole banners.  The goal for the core of Waterloo is consistency and cohesiveness in all projects and for UpTown Waterloo to continue to be an attractive “people-gathering” place.

Promotion and Marketing, like beautification, is a primary function of the BIA.  There are two aspects to promoting the UpTown.  Special events play a very significant role in promoting UpTown Waterloo as a “people-gathering” place.  Current projects include the UpTown Waterloo Ice Dogs Festival, UpTown Country, UpTown Waterloo Jazz Festival,  the Busker Carnival, the Oktoberfest Barrel Race and FREE Pancake Breakfast, the UpTown Treasure Hunt and of course, the Christmas and Holiday season when the marketing team develops a number of exciting programs to attract people to UpTown Waterloo. 

Get to know them at www.uptownwaterloobia.com

Waterloo Regional Tourism Marketing Corporation

Waterloo Regional Tourism Marketing Corporation was formed in 2007 for the express purpose of promoting our Region as a year-round travel destination. To ensure that our message is delivered clearly and to the right audiences demands a highly focused effort, and a close working relationship between tourism operators, municipal governments and other public and private sector organizations. Collaboration will play an important role in the success of Waterloo Regional Tourism Marketing Corporation.

As a newly-formed destination marketing organization, our success is predicated on developing solid working partnerships with tourism operators, governments, and other organizations charged with promoting the region of waterloo and attracting visitors, residents and investment.

To get to know them or become a member, visit

www.explorewaterlooregion.com