Canada’s Best Startup Employers Of 2024 Were Ranked & A Montreal Company Got The Top Spot
Montreal's startup scene has long been a hotbed of innovation and talent, but this year it has taken a definitive leap forward. In Forbes' first-ever ranking of Canada's Best Startup Employers for 2024, a local company has grabbed the top spot, outshining competitors nationwide.
With three other homegrown startups in the top 10, Montreal is firmly on the map as a leading destination for best places to work, ambitious professionals and cutting-edge businesses.
Work-life balance, from AI to zzz
The inaugural list showcases the top 200 Canadian startups, based on feedback from employees. To compile the ranking, Forbes collaborated with market research firm Statista, which initially shortlisted 1,500 Canadian companies. Eligible startups needed at least 10 employees, a founding date between 2014 and 2021, and a private ownership status.
Evaluation criteria spanned employer reputation, employee satisfaction, and growth. Statista researched articles, blogs, and social media posts about each company, conducting text analysis to categorize sentiments as positive, negative, or neutral. Employee satisfaction was gauged through retention rates, online reviews, and an examination of company offerings. Growth was measured by website traffic, headcount, and job listings. The data points culminated in a scoring model, from which the top 200 companies emerged.
A Montreal startup techs the cake
Moov AI, based in Montreal, clinched the number one spot. Specializing in customized AI tools for businesses, the company is known for its hybrid/remote work model, flexible schedules, self-managed days off, and a family-first philosophy.
In second position, Laivly offers unique perks like catered lunches and movie premieres. Operto Guest Technologies, automating hospitality and property management, ranked third, with employee perks like career development programs and mental health support. All three top companies exemplify a growing trend among top startups: prioritizing work-life balance and employee well-being.
Other startup stars
Beyond the top three, the list reflects a diverse range of sectors and locations. From technology firms to healthcare startups, each company brings something unique to the table. Companies like OpsLevel and Koïos Intelligence, ranked fifth and eighth respectively, further illustrate the dynamic nature of Canada's startup sector. OpsLevel, with its innovative web-based platform for software efficiency, and Koïos Intelligence, with its AI-powered conversational assistant for insurance agents, both exemplify the technological ingenuity and sector-specific advancements driving the industry forward.
Pelcro, ranked sixth, finds its strength in the fast-paced environment and the opportunities for learning and career advancement. This Montreal-based startup, offering a subscription management platform, not only stands out for its cutting-edge technology but also for cultivating an atmosphere where employees can grow professionally and adapt swiftly to the ever-changing tech landscape.
Despite challenges like economic fluctuations and the a changing global market, the strength of Canada's startup ecosystem has become increasingly apparent.
Here are this year's top 50 startups to watch in Canada (you can find the full list here):
- Moov AI - Montreal (Technology)
- Laivly - Winnipeg (Business Products & Software Services)
- Operto Guest Technologies - Vancouver (Hospitality)
- Noibu - Ottawa (Business Products & Software Services)
- OpsLevel - Toronto (Technology)
- Pelcro - Montreal (Business Products & Software Services)
- Vffice - Longueuil (Consulting)
- Koios Intelligence - Montreal (Technology)
- NDAX - Calgary (Finance)
- Infostrux Solutions - Vancouver (Consulting)
- Lotus Medical - Montreal (Healthcare)
- OneVest - Calgary (Finance)
- PayShepherd - Calgary (Finance)
- Pathway Medical - Montreal (Healthcare)
- Integrate.ai - Toronto (Business Products & Software Services)
- Clinia - Montreal (Healthcare)
- Lexop - Montreal (Business Products & Software Services)
- Sofvie - Lively (Technology)
- Bloc Solutions - Quebec (Real Estate)
- Knowledgehook - Kitchener (Education & EdTech)
- Numigi - Longueuil (Consulting)
- Kelvin Zero - Montreal (Security)
- Nolk - Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville (Business Products & Software Services)
- Veta Virtual - Toronto (Communication & Social)
- Niricson - Victoria (Technology)
- AutoLeap - Toronto (Business Products & Software Services)
- Weavik - Waterloo (Business Products & Software Services)
- Event Temple - Vancouver (Hospitality)
- Traction Complete - Burnaby (Business Products & Software Services)
- Volume7 - Montreal (Business Products & Software Services)
- Novisto - Montreal (Business Products & Software Services)
- Levio Consulting - Quebec (Consulting)
- Stellar Creative Lab - Vancouver (Media & Entertainment)
- eMonster Solutions - Richmond (Business Products & Software Services)
- Pani Energy - Victoria (Technology)
- FundThrough - Toronto (Finance)
- Fellow.app - Ottawa (Business Products & Software Services)
- MoveMate - Montreal (Transportation & Logistics)
- Voltsafe - Vancouver (Hardware & Electronics)
- CAPTOSEC - Quebec (Security)
- Castle HR - Toronto (Consulting)
- Track Visual Effects - Vancouver (Media & Entertainment)
- Untether AI - Toronto (Hardware & Electronics)
- JobsMedia - Montreal (Business Products & Software Services)
- Arteria AI - Toronto (Technology)
- Field Effect Software - Ottawa (Security)
- Habitat Learn - Toronto (Education & EdTech)
- AltaML - Edmonton (Business Products & Software Services)
- Beyond Cloud Consulting - Toronto (Consulting)
- Loopsin - Montreal (Consulting)