6 Top Tech Companies to Work For in Toronto

According to a recent report from BMO Capital Markets, the Toronto technology industry is growing at a rapid pace, rising in the ranks of other North American tech hubs like the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and Washington D.C.

In fact, the city is now recognized as the fourth-largest tech market in North America, as it is home to roughly 214,000 tech workers. The report also projects that growth in the tech sector will drive the province’s economy to see a healthy two percent increase in 2019. With this information in mind, it is easy to see why talented professionals in the tech industry (or those who are considering a career in the tech industry) are flocking to Toronto to build their careers.

If you’re thinking about starting a tech career in the Toronto area, below is a list of some of the region’s top tech companies that you should watch in 2019, as well as some tips that you can use to increase your chances of being hired for a competitive position.

Top Tech Companies is the Toronto, Ontario Area

1. Ecobee

Ecobee is a home automation company that creates smart thermostats designed to save customers money and conserve energy. The company was founded in 2007 by Stuart Lombard, who created the product through his personal mission to reduce his family’s carbon footprint. Since then, the company has experienced tremendous growth and is a recognized leader in the smart home market.

Social impact is a driving force of Ecobee’s corporate culture. According to Fatima Crerar, Director of Social Impact at Ecobee, it’s one of the best parts of becoming a part of this team.  

In her words: “I can bring my values here, I can bring my ethics here, I can stand up for the things I believe in, and not only there room for them at Ecobee but its core to our brand.”

Across the variety of positions at this company, one thing is clear: Ecobee employees are innovative and driven. Colleagues are often working together to solve problems and learn from each other, creating a company-wide system of support. As a growing company, there are always new opportunities for people to join the Ecobee team.

2. Top Hat

Mike Silagadze and Mohsen Shahini came together in 2009 with the simple desire to make education better. As a result, Top Hat was born. The co-founders created an educational platform that uses students’ smartphones to deliver online homework and interactive content. Educators can use Top Hat to easily take attendance, administer quizzes, and create collaborative spaces focused on course material.

Today, Top Hat is used at 75 percent of the top 1,000 colleges and universities in North America and is continuously expanding its team to keep up with its growth. Benefits and perks like daily lunch, team social events, and access to industry events within the Toronto tech industry make Top Hat a great place for professionals to expand their careers.

Tonia, a Software Developer, says, “The witty and brilliant minds, the fun board games and foosball culture, the what-I-do-matters motivation, and, of course, the real difference we are making in the education space are what make Top Hat an awesome workplace.”  If you are interested to see the types of employment opportunities that are available, be sure to check out Top Hat’s careers page.

3. Shopify

Shopify was launched in 2006 when its creators attempted to open an online snowboard equipment store and were dissatisfied with the existing e-commerce product on the market. So, they put their heads together and built their own e-commerce platform which allows merchants to easily manage every aspect of their business.

In just over a decade of business, Shopify now has five offices across North America, including one in Toronto, and has helped 800,000 active online stores make more than $100 billion in sales. Shopify is always looking to add new members to the team as the brand continues to grow. New opportunities are regularly added to the company’s careers page.

Shopify’s workplace atmosphere puts its people at the center of everything, empowering them to be innovative and impactful. Gregor Bingham said, “Shopify allows me to do my best work, and to work with the people who make this company great.”

4. Ubisoft

If you have ever had an interest in video games, you are likely familiar with Ubisoft. The French video game company is a global leader in the industry with development studios around the world, including Canada. Ubisoft Toronto has established a talented team of creators that blend art and technology to bring gaming to life.

Ubisoft Toronto is also an advocate for diversity, growth, and positive change in STEM education and careers. Through the studio’s Giveback Initiatives, employees and partners work to make a difference in their local community.

Ubisoft Toronto has numerous employment opportunities across all aspects of game development for those interested in a career in this industry. In addition, there are opportunities for students and new graduates to build their professional skills at Ubisoft Toronto, including the Ubisoft Graduate Program which allows students to become active members of the production teams at two international studios.

5. Cisco

Perhaps one of the names in the Toronto tech industry is Cisco, a multinational technology company that creates networking hardware, telecommunications equipment, and other high-tech products.  As a company that relies on innovation for its success, it’s no surprise that a strong team of creative problem solvers is at its foundation.

Cisco provides an agile work environment where employees can explore their ideas, test the norm, and develop their personal and professional skills. In turn, team members are expected to commit to the company’s values to help customers achieve their highest potential and relentlessly pursue a smarter, better, faster future.

Benefits of working at Cisco include generous paid time off, employee discount programs, and even tuition reimbursement for those with aspirations of obtaining more advanced education. Cisco is a massive company with endless room to grow. Keep an eye on their careers page to see what opportunities are available.

6. Oracle

Another big name in the Toronto tech scene is, of course, Oracle. As a key player in the computer software industry, the company primarily specializes in developing database software and technology, cloud engineered systems, and enterprise software products.

In 2018, Oracle came in as the third largest software producer by revenue, only behind Microsoft and Alphabet.

At Oracle, both employees and executives believe flexibility is key to increased innovation. As such, employees are encouraged to collaborate openly with one another, achieve work-life balance, and take advantage of flexible work schedules and environments. In addition, Oracle offers unmatched benefits including employee assistance programs, commuter benefit programs, and much more.

When asked to sum up the workplace, CEO of Oracle, Mark Hurd, says, “We’re focused on being a destination company for talented people who want to grow their careers in an environment that values diversity, teamwork, and the ability to execute Oracle’s strategy.”  If your dream is to someday work at a company like Oracle, keep an eye on their open positions to see what roles are in high demand.

Building the Career of Your Dreams

If you have a goal of working at one of the companies in this list, it’s important to note that each individual company does, of course, have its own unique requirements when they consider applicants. While there is no one way to make yourself stand out during the application process, you should consider the benefits of earning an advanced degree in your field of interest to demonstrate your knowledge in that area.

If your interests are of a more technical nature, degrees such as a Master’s in Cybersecurity, Analytics, Engineering Management, or other related programs could help you expand your skill set and advance your chances of landing a highly-sought after position at one of these companies.

On the other hand, if you are more focused on the business operations behind the tech industry, furthering your knowledge and experience through a Master’s in Innovation, Leadership, Project Management, or another area of study can help you to demonstrate the value that you would bring to an organization. Learn more about the opportunities that Northeastern University-Toronto’s programs can offer to help you break into Toronto’s tech scene.

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