How a Tech Boom is Changing the Face of Nova Scotia. Predictions that just may come true on the picturesque East Coast of Canada.

By: Chandra Pottle

The Canadian province of Nova Scotia is known around the world as a seaside destination for leisure and adventure travellers alike. Situated on the Atlantic Ocean, Nova Scotia is naturally synonymous with lighthouses and lobster. Peer beneath the surface however, and you’ll discover a rapidly growing tech industry with depth in AI, machine learning, robotics, and ocean tech.

What could this tech boom mean for Nova Scotia? Here are three predictions for what the future may hold.

Halifax: A New Destination for Technology
An eclectic city by the sea. A skyline dominated by an iconic suspension bridge. A thriving tech scene. For years, this description could only fit major tech hubs, but increasingly, it describes Halifax.

Nova Scotia is in a unique position to become a leading tech hub. The proof is in the numbers and the companies who are putting down roots.

The capital city has long been postcard-perfect for visitors, but today it’s attracting tech companies and talent in large numbers. Nova Scotia has seen 98% growth in computer science and math enrolments in the last six years, and has more engineering, applied science, mathematics, and physical science university graduates per capita than anywhere else in Canada.

This talented workforce combined with immigration-friendly policies and competitive commercial real estate costs attracts investment from well-known companies such as IBM, Virtusa, MUFG and Cognizant. The latter recently announced an expansion that plans to add as many as an additional 1,000 positions in Nova Scotia.

Acoustic Ocean Technology will Drive Sustainability
Nova Scotia is one of the best places in the world to view humpback and other whales up close. The province is building some of the world’s most advanced ocean technology and has paid close attention through research to how this technology can help to protect our marine life and ecosystem.

Recently, Dalhousie University was awarded $154 million to investigate the ocean’s role in climate change. This research paired with Nova Scotia companies leading the way in artificial intelligence and data analytics are driving breakthroughs in fisheries and aquaculture, energy, and marine security. Maybe even one day communications with our intelligent friends in the sea!

Ag Tech elevates Nova Scotia Sparkling Wine
Celebrated for its dessert-like sweetness, Canadian ice wine is known around the world. You may be less familiar with Canadian sparkling wines that are challenging the best bubbly from Champagne. These wines led by entrants from Nova Scotia are highly regarded, but hard to find due to lower production volumes.

That may be about to change. Nova Scotia is emerging as a top innovation hub for the application of machine learning and AI in precision farming. VineView has emerged as the leading provider of crop diagnostics and harvest planning for vineyards. Cotex Technologies is developing low-cost controlled-release fertilizers that minimize environmental impact and improve farm productivity.

Ag Tech companies like these are thriving in Nova Scotia’s nurturing ecosystem supported by organizations such as Greenspring BioInnovation Hub and the Verschuren Centre. Their innovations will improve farming all over the world and increase the chances of finding Nova Scotia’s award-winning sparkling wine on shelves near you.

The world’s leading tech clusters are often found in some of the world’s most beautiful places. Places with an attractive lifestyle to match. Nova Scotia is quickly emerging as a unique entrant in this global club.

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