IT, Gaming & Digital Media
Diversified sector with over 1000 companies.
Why Halifax?
Eight universities and world-renowned research institutions, a growing start-up community, and established leadership in ocean innovation fuel a diversified information technology, gaming, and digital media sector, with niche strengths in:
- Aerospace and defence, particularly in software-based products and services, as well as systems integration and supporting services, defence simulation & applications
- Financial services, with an emphasis on IT intensive middle and back office operations, and business process outsourcing/contact centres
- Healthcare IT, given the significant healthcare infrastructure in the city
- Video game production, which includes companies like Ubisoft Halifax, Silverback Games, and RedMeatGames
competitive advantages
and #5 “Best Tech Hub to Live and Work in Canada” overall (Expert Market, 2017).
in digital media, IT services, transatlantic telecommunications, enterprise solutions, E-health applications, data analytics and niche-oriented software products and solutions.
Dalhousie University houses 50 Canada Research Chairs and many research institutions including: the Ocean Frontier Institute, the Institute for Big Data Analytics, the Life Sciences Institute, the ideaHUB, and the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Ocean Science and Technology.
with world-class fibre optic network & gigabit connections; the GTT Atlantic Halifax International Exchange Centre, a transatlantic subsea transmission line; and a stable self-sufficient power grid.
Incentives
Whether starting, relocating or expanding a business, you can benefit from a number of incentives at both the federal and provincial level. We’ll gladly assist you in identifying the ones that best suit your needs.
Nova Scotia Digital Media Tax Credit
Nova Scotia’s Digital Media Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit for costs directly related to the development of interactive digital media products in Nova Scotia. As of January 1, 2008, tax credit amounts are equal to the lesser of: 50 per cent of eligible Nova Scotia labour expenditures or 25 per cent of total expenditures made in Nova Scotia.
Corporations may also be eligible to receive a credit on marketing and distribution expenditures to a maximum of $100,000 per product. These expenditures may bemade outside the province. To be eligible for the credit, a corporation developing an interactive digital media must be a taxable Canadian corporation and have a “permanent establishment” in Nova Scotia.
Canada Media Fund
Champions the creation of successful, innovative, Canadian content and software applications for current and emerging digital platforms through financial support and industry research.
Notable Companies
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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.
