‘Everything is just on fast-forward’ How Halifax became a Canadian tech hub

Nova Scotia - once known for its traditional resource industries, aging population and westward migration of workers - is changing.

In early 2021 Simon Cusack sold his house out west and moved to the East Coast with his wife, son and one of Canada’s most promising tech startups.

The co-founder of Rafflebox, which runs online raffles and fundraisers, came in search of the ocean, a better work-life balance and Halifax’s booming technology community.

“We were very attracted to the startup scene here,” said Cusack, who quit his job with Dell Technologies early in the pandemic to focus on Rafflebox full time as chief operations officers. “The support for startups is incredible. Doors started opening for us as soon as we arrived.”

Nova Scotia – once known for its traditional resource industries, aging population and westward migration of workers – is changing.

Today, the province is home to hundreds of fledgling tech startups and companies, an ambitious training plan and a growing population.

Experts say Halifax’s growing tech ecosystem is at the epicentre of the digital shift turning the province into one of the Canada’s hottest tech hubs.

They say a growing network of startups, mentorship organizations, venture capital, training programs and government support is encouraging digital innovation, creating jobs and buoying the economy.

“A strong support network is key to innovation,” said Ellen Farrell, a management professor in the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. “Isolation is a real problem for startups.”