Toronto has traditionally been considered the place to be for tech companies and startups, but the economic landscape is shifting. As businesses increasingly look to plant roots outside the big city, Oakville is becoming a major centre for tech and innovation. Its proximity to Toronto, access to international markets, and talented workforce are just a few of the driving factors behind this change.
Working outside the big city has its benefits. Rent for class-A office space in suburban markets tends to be significantly lower than in urban settings, and Oakville is easily accessible via GO Train or the highway, making it easy to meet with partners and clients or attract talent from the surrounding area.
With a strategic plan in place for economic development, Oakville is already home to a high volume of head offices. Companies such as Ford Motor Company of Canada, Siemens Canada Ltd., and Pelmorex (The Weather Network) have chosen Oakville as their headquarters, and for good 
reason. Oakville’s department of Economic Development says, “the strategy’s three goals focus on attracting new investment, responding to the needs of local businesses, and supporting its commercial districts. The Town will continue to improve processes to make it easier to do business in Oakville, and will work with companies to be responsive to their needs.”
The tech scene specifically is thriving in Oakville, with active organizations such as Silicon Halton, Haltech, tech-focused businesses like SoftChoice, and programs like UX design and game design at Sheridan College. In fact, Sheridan’s Trafalgar campus has received international accolades for its animation program. The school continues to offer innovative programming in the fields of game design and mobile computing, with new talent graduating and entering the workforce each year.
Jamie Barron, Chair of the Board of Directors at Haltech, says “Agility and opportunity…these two words sum up so many aspects of innovation in our region right now. It feels like new high-value opportunities to collaborate and build a great innovation eco-system are arising almost daily. At the same time, amazing new technologies (and the ventures to help grow them) are being created by our tremendous entrepreneurs right here in Halton.”
Many of alternawork’s own tenants are growing tech companies—for example, software consulting and design company RedBit Development as well as technology consulting studio 3D Agency are growing their businesses in our Oakville shared office space.
Thinking about becoming part of Oakville’s booming tech scene? Book a tour of our dynamic coworking facility today.
alternawork is a dynamic cowork facility serving the thriving tech community in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Kelowna. To book a tour or discuss your office space needs, contact us today!
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