September was a big month for Waterloo’s tech ecosystem, driven by a huge leap in our tech talent ranking, new global partnerships and ambitious growth initiatives.
Waterloo is continuing to make its mark as one of North America’s top tech hubs. This month, the region jumped to 7th place in CBRE’s tech talent rankings, beating Boston and Denver on the way. That momentum, paired with major investments and international deals, reflects a tech community that’s not just growing, it’s accelerating.
Let’s dive into the biggest tech, business and investment stories from September 2025.
Waterloo ranks #7 for Tech Talent in North America
According to CRBE’s Scoring Tech Talent report, Waterloo jumped up 11 spots from last year, ranking 7th in North America. Sitting just behind six of the continent’s largest tech markets, Waterloo is still the #1 small tech talent market.
This leap in the overall rankings highlights the region’s explosive tech talent growth, high concentration of skilled workers and growing appeal to young professionals. Discover what’s fueling Waterloo’s rise and what it means for the future of tech in our region.
Conestoga College launches new BioHub
Conestoga College has launched a new Biotechnology Research & Innovation Hub (BioHub) in Kitchener. This facility offers advanced services and expertise to biotech, cleantech and agri-tech sectors, opening new doors for industry and academic collaboration in the Region. Read more in our in-depth feature article.
Waterloo Airport announces 20-year expansion plan
The Region of Waterloo International Airport has announced their growth plan to guide development over the next two decades, including runway extensions, a new passenger terminal and a projected $616 million investment.
This plan aims to strengthen regional connectivity and economic growth, offering better access for businesses, investors and travelers in the Waterloo area. Read the full story to see the proposed phases, funding model and what’s next for YKF.
Innovation in action at Waterloo Tech Week
From September 8th to the 11th, Waterloo Tech Week hosted four days of tech-related talks, workshops, panels, demos and social events at venues all over Waterloo. The week brought together founders, tech leaders and members of the community to collaborate, share ideas and explore what’s next in innovation.
Tech Week helps students, businesses and innovators connect, grow, and showcase why Waterloo is leading Canada’s tech future. For a list of topics or to see how to get involved next year, take a look at CBC’s full story.
Canada signs ‘game-changing’ trade deal with Indonesia
A historic trade and defence agreement between Canada and Indonesia eliminates tariffs on over 95% of Canadian exports to Indonesia, opening unprecedented access to a fast-growing market of 282 million people and a GDP of approximately $1.9 trillion (as of 2024). Learn more about the opportunities for companies locating in Canada in this write-up from Global News.
Communitech announces refreshed strategy
Communitech, one of Canada’s top innovation hubs, announced a new mission to strengthen Waterloo Region’s tech ecosystem by rebuilding community connections and increasing support for local startups, scale-ups and founders.
Their refreshed strategy is both a return to their past community-first values and a forward-looking plan to help innovators navigate shifts like AI and Quantum. Check out the CEO, Sheldon McCormick’s, letter outlining the changes.
New U.S. Visa Fee Boosts Waterloo’s Talent Edge
American President Donald Trump announced a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa petitions, effective as of September 21st. While not strictly Waterloo news, this new policy highlights our community’s appeal to globally expanding companies. With a strong tech workforce and ecosystem, along with friendly immigration policies, Waterloo makes for the perfect landing place for companies growing through global recruitment. Read more from BetaKit.
The future starts here
As September wraps up, Waterloo’s momentum in tech innovation and economic growth continues to accelerate. With our thriving talent pool, strategic international partnerships and long-term infrastructure plans, Waterloo isn’t just keeping up with tech innovation, it’s setting the pace!
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