Ottawa's startup scene is defined by its strength in enterprise software and deep technology. The city is a hub for companies focused on SaaS, cybersecurity, and AI.
This is highlighted by companies like Assent, which has raised $533.6M for its supply chain solutions. Other major players include MindBridge in AI-powered analytics and Solink in video security.
Below is our list of 11 Ottawa startups worth keeping an eye on.
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Get the Sheet for $50Assent builds a cloud-based platform for enterprises to navigate the complexities of product, trade, and ESG compliance. The software is designed to give companies deep visibility into their supply chains, ensuring they meet global standards and sustainability goals.
| Year Founded | 2010 |
| Founders | Matt Whitteker, Robert Imbeault |
| Funding Amount | $533.6M |
| Startup Size | Large Team (251-1,000) |
| Last Funding Status | Secondary Market |
| Top Investors | Vista Equity Partners, Business Development Bank of Canada, Warburg Pincus, Volition Capital, Blackstone Group |
MindBridge builds a financial risk discovery platform that uses AI to identify and analyze anomalies across broad financial datasets. Their technology helps auditors and financial professionals surface unusual activity and potential risks within transactional data.
| Year Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | Solon Angel |
| Funding Amount | $102.3M |
| Startup Size | Mid-Size Team (51-250) |
| Last Funding Status | Private Equity |
| Top Investors | 8VC, PSG Equity, National Bank of Canada, Real Ventures, PeakSpan Capital |
Hyperlume builds optical interconnects that enable faster communication between chips for AI and high-performance computing. This technology addresses critical data bottlenecks by using light for data transmission, boosting overall system performance and efficiency.
| Year Founded | 2022 |
| Founders | Mohsen Asad |
| Funding Amount | $12.5M |
| Startup Size | Lean Team (11-50) |
| Last Funding Status | Seed |
| Top Investors | Business Development Bank of Canada, SOSV, Intel Capital, ArcTern Ventures, MUUS Climate Partners |
BluWave-ai builds a grid energy optimization platform that uses AI to support more sustainable and affordable energy decisions. The SaaS-based system helps utilities and fleet operators manage renewable energy sources and the transition to electric vehicles.
| Year Founded | 2017 |
| Founders | Devashish Paul |
| Funding Amount | CA$14.7M |
| Startup Size | Lean Team (11-50) |
| Last Funding Status | Series A |
| Top Investors | Ontario Power Generation, Cycle Momentum, Ecofuel, FedDev, Sustainable Development Technology Canada |
Cengn helps businesses accelerate the commercialization of next-generation networking technologies through its suite of project services. They provide companies with access to a commercial-grade testbed and specialized engineering expertise, helping them de-risk development and scale their products for the market.
| Year Founded | 2014 |
| Founders | — |
| Funding Amount | $45M |
| Startup Size | Lean Team (11-50) |
| Last Funding Status | Grant |
| Top Investors | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada |
BlackBerry QNX develops a real-time operating system and development tools for mission-critical embedded systems. Their software provides the secure and reliable foundation for complex electronics in the automotive, medical, and industrial sectors.
| Year Founded | 1980 |
| Founders | Dan Dodge |
| Funding Amount | $40M |
| Startup Size | Large Team (251-1,000) |
| Last Funding Status | Grant |
| Top Investors | Strategic Innovation Fund |
Solink builds a cloud platform that pairs video security footage with business analytics. Their system helps retailers and restaurants use their existing security cameras to uncover theft and gain operational insights from their data.
| Year Founded | 2009 |
| Founders | Michael Matta, Solon Angel |
| Funding Amount | $94.1M |
| Startup Size | Large Team (251-1,000) |
| Last Funding Status | Series C |
| Top Investors | Valor Equity Partners, OMERS Ventures, BDC Venture Capital, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, ScaleUP Ventures |
Field Effect builds a cybersecurity platform to help businesses manage threats through prevention, detection, and response. Their core solution, Covalence, delivers managed security services that make sophisticated threat intelligence accessible to companies of all sizes.
| Year Founded | 2016 |
| Founders | Matthew Holland |
| Funding Amount | $89.8M |
| Startup Size | Mid-Size Team (51-250) |
| Last Funding Status | Venture Round |
| Top Investors | Edison Partners, Scotiabank, Round13 Capital |
Rewind develops an automatic data backup platform for business-critical SaaS applications. Their service protects companies from data loss, allowing them to quickly restore information after human error or a security incident.
| Year Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | James Ciesielski, Mike Potter |
| Funding Amount | $80.1M |
| Startup Size | Mid-Size Team (51-250) |
| Last Funding Status | Series B |
| Top Investors | Insight Partners, Bessemer Venture Partners, Inovia Capital, Ridge Ventures, Bossa Invest |
DistillerSR builds software that automates every stage of the literature review process. Their AI-powered platform helps research organizations manage data, screen studies, and accelerate the delivery of evidence-based research.
| Year Founded | 2008 |
| Founders | Ian Stefanison, Jonathan Barker, Peter O'Blenis |
| Funding Amount | CA$20M |
| Startup Size | Mid-Size Team (51-250) |
| Last Funding Status | Venture Round |
| Top Investors | Export Development Canada, Thomvest Ventures, Pender Ventures |
1 Additional Ottawa Startup Worth Following
The top ten are just a small sample of the companies growing in Ottawa. Many other founders are working on new ideas throughout the city.
The scene also includes established hardware firms that have raised nearly $100 million. Here’s a look at another company that’s part of what makes Ottawa’s startup community so strong.