Every breakthrough product – from electric cars to aircraft and advanced semiconductors – relies heavily on precise simulation to succeed. For more than two decades, Waterloo has been home to one of the leaders in this space: Ansys.
The growth of Ansys in our community is a textbook example of how the right mix of talent, research infrastructure and ecosystem can fuel long term success.
And now with its recent acquisition by Synopsys, an industry leader in engineering solutions, Ansys is entering a new chapter of growth. This acquisition not only strengthens Ansys’ position in the simulation landscape but also underscores our region’s strategic role in global tech innovation.
We asked Steve Reuss, Director of Research & Development at Ansys, to share his insights on the company’s growth and Waterloo’s impact on its journey.
From simulation to global impact
Long before computational simulations became mainstream, a professor from the University of Waterloo and his four graduate students laid the foundation for a company specializing in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) that would later become part of Ansys, the gold standard for engineering simulations solutions.
“I like to say that Ansys is like the Microsoft Office of engineering simulation – one place for all kinds of simulations,” explains Reuss.
It all started with the local engineering talent from Waterloo developing legacy simulation tools like TASCflow and CSX that became the backbone of Ansys.
“Today, our teams in Waterloo use highly sophisticated and computationally intensive simulations by bringing multi-physics simulations. This gives our Waterloo office a competitive edge over others,” adds Reuss.
The Waterloo advantage
The Waterloo community has been instrumental in the company’s growth over the years, offering easy access to top-tier talent and government R&D incentives.
“Waterloo is one of the best places to do R&D,” says Reuss. “The quality talent coming from the University of Waterloo, combined with Scientific Research & Experimental Development tax credits make this region unbeatable,” adds Reuss.
That’s one reason the company added 44 new team members in the last year alone, bringing the Waterloo office’s total to 160.
“We’re diversifying our team here. We’re increasingly hiring computer science graduates interested in solving physics simulation problems,” shares Reuss.
Beyond the talent pool, our region’s supportive and collaborative culture has helped the company deepen its roots in the Waterloo ecosystem.
“Our partnership with Waterloo EDC has been very beneficial. When our senior leadership in the US hears from your organization about Waterloo’s strengths, it reinforces the value of being here and investing in the region,” says Reuss.
" The tech talent pool here is fantastic. The region provides access to highly skilled, tech-savvy talent, excellent ROI and support from partners like Communitech and Waterloo EDC. These three things together make it a fantastic region to be in. "
Steve Reuss
Director of Research & Development at Ansys, part of Synopsys
A new chapter: Joining forces with Synopsys
In July 2025, US-based Synopsys acquired Ansys to combine Synopsys’ silicon design leadership with Ansys’ multi-physics simulation expertise in a US $35B deal. The acquisition will help deliver holistic solutions from silicon to systems.
Thus begins a new chapter of growth and innovation for Ansys. “It’s quite a complementary acquisition that will enhance our market reach and drive innovation in advanced engineering solutions,” says Reuss.
As part of Synopsys, Ansys will broaden its global presence and deepen its R&D capabilities while leveraging the talent and innovative culture built in Waterloo.
Ansys’ growth sends a clear message to businesses: when you embed yourself in an ecosystem built on talent, resources and collaboration, success follows.