2019: A Year of Expansion in Nova Scotia
Thursday, January 16, 2020
For many of Nova Scotia’s high-tech innovators, 2019 was a year of growth and investment in the province. While the reasons may be obvious to us, we asked them to share – in their own words - why they chose Nova Scotia as the place to grow their business and raise their families.
Proposify – Proposal Software
“We have a fantastically talented team and a positive work culture.”
The best way to describe where Proposify stands today? Two words: unprecedented growth. The company grew 1,500 per cent in just one year after receiving its first seed funding round. Fast forward another five years and Proposify has raised $3 million in capital, launched the second iteration of its software, has 8,000 paying customers worldwide, and has grown from 29 to 70 employees.
Read more about the Perfect Mix.
VERB Interactive - Travel Hotel & Marketing Agency
“The talent pool here is rich. You have all these feeder schools providing great talent. It’s a great place to live. It’s cost-effective. It’s a great place to raise a family. And that’s attractive to a lot of people that have either moved away, or people that are just attracted to the East Coast and its charm.”
VERB is a digital agency that works with some of the world’s biggest destinations, resorts, and travel brands. Over the next five years, VERB expects to double in size, adding another 130 staff.
Read more about how VERB is conquering the travel industry.
Sensor Technology Ltd. - Underwater Communication Sensors Manufacturer
“We picked COVE to give my people a home base in Atlantic Canada where they can collaborate with other engineers who face similar challenges. Problems get solved faster when you have other people to talk to.”
Sensor Technology Ltd.’s markets include defence, oil and gas, oceanography, and fishing and their piezoelectric ceramics, custom acoustic transducers, and custom hydrophones are manufactured here.
Read more about Sensor Technology’s sound move.
REDspace - Full-Service Digital Studio
“There’s a creative, collaborative spirit and calibre of people that are unique to our region. Our top-quality educational institutions and the amazing government support and programs give REDspace and other export-driven businesses a leg up on our competition.”
Specializing in mobile, web, video and gaming for media brands and networks, REDspace clients include Turner, NBC, FOX, Viacom, and Sony Pictures. And they’re headquartered here.
Read more about the creativity and collaboration that led to their expansion.
MUFG - Financial Group
“The MUFG Nova Scotian team stands out globally in terms of the level of education, including post-secondary degrees and professional designations, the stability of our workforce, and resilience in a highly complex environment.”
An industry leader in asset servicing, banking, and fund financing, MUFG discovered Nova Scotia’s competitive advantage – an educated and experienced workforce, coupled with an influx of highly skilled and diverse newcomers from within Canada and abroad.
Read more about how MUFG has put Nova Scotia’s advantage to work for them.
But wait! There’s more. On top of these investments, Atlantic Canada is seeing significant investments into our oceans industries – more than $500 million! By 2030, the Ocean Economy is forecast to accumulate $3 trillion in revenues. With a history rooted in the ocean, Atlantic Canada is built to realize this opportunity. And we’ve been busy doing just that.
Read more about Atlantic Canada's next wave of ocean tech investment and activity
Another takeaway worth noting in 2020 is the record-setting growth Nova Scotia is seeing in immigration - truly something to celebrate. As of Oct. 31, 2019, 6,630 permanent residents arrived in Nova Scotia - a 26.9% increase over the same period last year and surpassing 2018’s record for the whole year. According to the Office of Immigration, the province’s population is at an all-time high and getting younger. We’re excited to welcome these new Nova Scotians to the province.