IT, Gaming & Digital Media
Learn about Halifax's IT, gaming & digital media sector fueled by 8 post-secondary institutions and world-renowned research institutions, and a growing start-up community.
Why Halifax?
Halifax is home to a globally competitive tech industry supported by a vibrant ecosystem of post-secondary education, established multinational firms, incubators and accelerators, and an active startup community that provides a collaborative, well-connected, global cluster.
2,000+ companies ranging from startups to multinationals in the Halifax Innovation District.
A growing hub for tech innovation including IBM's first Canadian Customer Innovation Centre and EY's Canadian Centre for Advanced Analytics and its Global Centre of Excellence in Robotic Process Automation.
Over 30,000 employed in ICT positions within the province, across a variety of sectors
Home to 10+ R&D and innovation hubs including Volta, Canada's East Coast Innovation Hub.
Halifax is a city and community that is unmatched in Canada, with a thriving tech scene, world-class talent, and a business-friendly environment. We're thrilled to make Halifax home to our second headquarters.
-Allen Lau, Chief Executive Officer & co-founder, Wattpad
The Halifax Advantage
for Software Development among North America’s 50 most populous cities (fDi Benchmarks).
including fibre optic networks with gigabit connections, a self-generating power grid, and reliable, fast, and secure data transmission between North America and Europe through the EXA Atlantic and EXA Express transatlantic cables at >53 Tbps.
across Europe, North America, and the Caribbean in the same day.
enrolling 35,000 students annually and graduating top talent.
Download the Sector Snapshot
Learn more about Halifax's tech industry and the key advantages of doing business here.
Incentives
Whether starting, relocating or expanding a business, you will benefit from a number of incentives at both the federal and provincial level to help you invest in Halifax. We’ll be glad to assist you in identifying the ones that best suit your needs.
Nova Scotia Innovation Equity Tax Credit
The Innovation Equity Tax Credit provides a non-refundable personal income tax credit to individuals taking an equity stake in a small-to-medium sized Nova Scotian business. For eligible investments, investors will earn a 35% credit, or a 45% credit for investments in the Oceans Technology and Life Sciences sectors.
Learn More about Nova Scotia Innovation Equity Tax Credit>
Notable Players
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IBM
IBM’s very first Canadian Client Innovation Centre opened its doors in Bedford, Nova Scotia, and provides application management and IT consulting services to government, businesses, and universities. Today, they have exceeded their original growth targets and plan on adding another 250 staff this year.
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Bulletproof
A trusted IT solutions provider empowering organizations in Atlantic Canada and globally with affordable IT security, consultation, and education services. Bulletproof sees Halifax's easily accessible airfare connections a key advantage of doing business here.
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NTT Data
NTT DATA is a Global IT Innovator delivering technology-enabled services and solutions to clients around the world. NTT Data has a significant presence in Halifax and has been named one of Nova Scotia's top employers.
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Bell Aliant
Bell Aliant is Atlantic Canada's leading provider of Fibe, TV, internet, phone and data services to residential and business customers.
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Eastlink
With more than 1,700 employees from coast to coast, Eastlink delivers world-class video entertainment, internet, and telephone services to residential, business and public-sector customers across Canada.
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REDspace
REDspace is a custom software development company that builds unique, flexible platforms for global enterprises, empowering clients to meaningfully connect with their audiences and remain at the top of their industries.
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Axis Capital
AXIS delivers specialty insurance and global reinsurance solutions with determination, passion and strength. We’re inspired by the opportunity to give people and organizations the confidence to take necessary risks in the pursuit of their goals.
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Virtusa
Virtusa helps businesses with transformational changes at scale and speed through their Digital Transformation Studio that delivers deep digital engineering and industry expertise, using client-specific and integrated agile scrum teams.
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Magnet Forensics
Virtusa helps businesses with transformational changes at scale and speed through their Digital Transformation Studio that delivers deep digital engineering and industry expertise, using client-specific and integrated agile scrum teams.
Industry Associations & Organizations
After moving your business to Halifax get connected with groups of like-minded individuals through local industry associations and organizations. Expand your networks, gain access to the benefits and find solutions to industry problems together.