York Region announcing $250M in tech investments

More than 800+ new tech jobs anticipated over next few years, with an expected $1 billion in capital investments over the long term

Newmarkettoday.ca
June 21, 2022
Joseph Quigley

York Region expects to announce $250 million in new investments for its tech hub at the Collision Conference running June 20 to 23.

The region is hosting a pavilion at the Toronto-based tech conference to highlight its efforts in the sector. The region said the announcements made at the conference should result in more than 800 new tech jobs in York Region over the next few years, with an expected $1 billion in total capital investments over the long term.

York’s director of economic strategy Jonathan Wheatle said it is exciting to return to the conference, running in-person for the first time since 2019.

“The calibre of announcements being made in the #YRtech Pavilion speaks to the strength of our business community as a tech and innovation leader on a local, national and global scale,” Wheatle said in a news release.

The conference at the Enercare Centre in Toronto expects 35,000 attendees from more than 140 countries, highlighting technology in the GTA and beyond.

The region said it would have a variety of exclusive announcements alongside partners such as York University and Seneca College. It said the announcements would include partnerships with international companies, domestic ones and post-secondary institutions.

“York Region checks many boxes when it comes to an established thriving tech hub -- none more important than investing in the founders and talent of tomorrow,” York Angels investors executive director Katie Sale said. “Ensuring Canada’s best and brightest minds grow their businesses here, rather than scaling them abroad, requires quality mentorship, ongoing funding opportunities and a fertile tech sector in which to flourish.”

The schedule includes announcements from York’s nine municipalities. The Town of Newmarket is scheduled to announce a partnership involving the digital agency Treefrog’s business accelerator June 22.

“I can’t think of a more perfect industry event than Collision -- one of the biggest tech conferences in the world -- for York Region’s municipalities and partners to showcase these significant new additions to the Region’s tech ecosystem,” tech journalist and media personality Marc Saltzman said.

You can view York Region's schedule at yorklink.ca/collision.