Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Visit

Prime Minister Stephen Harper strolled into town on Friday (June 20) . Harper announced the Federal Government’s commitment to help fund second stage start-ups and hardware developers in the Waterloo Region. Further, Communitech will be receiving a portion of funding from a previously announced 5 year $100 million Canada Accelerator and Incubator Program.

The Tri-Cities/Technology Triangle (Waterloo, Kitchener & Cambridge, ON) has been building a reputation for catapulting and fostering technology businesses. The Tech-Triangle region has also been referred to as the 'Silicon Valley' of Canada on many occasions. With over 900 technology start-ups in the region, the Country's leader had to see the innovation that is being created for himself. His fist stop in town, Communitech and the re-purposed Tannery building in the heart of Kitchener.

Communitech is home to over 40 start-ups and has propelled an even greater number into successful positive cash flow tech. businesses. The building is also home to Canada's largest Google office and Desire2Learn's headquarters. The Communitech space (where ZAP IN is located) is continuously infused with new tech. ideas that stem from the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University and Conestoga College. However, more recently, other start-ups from Canada's west coast and neighbouring city Toronto are clamouring to get a space in the building. The Tech.-Triangle has even caught the eye of many investors from Silicon Valley who regularly fly in to check out what the next up and coming businesses are going to be. The community of start-ups and big business is truly a unique experience that inspires and sparks innovation for products that can change the world.