Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), long celebrated for its rugged coastlines, vibrant culture, and rich history, is transforming into a thriving tech powerhouse. At the forefront of this evolution is techNL, a not-for-profit industry association with a bold mission to accelerate the growth of NL’s tech sector and position it as Canada’s most sought-after tech ecosystem.
This transformation is fueled not only by the province’s exceptional quality of life—offering short commutes, affordable housing, and a thriving cultural scene—but also by its dynamic innovation ecosystem, welcoming and collaborative community, strategic location, and inspiring success stories. One such milestone is the 2020 acquisition of Verafin for $3.6 billion CAD—Canada’s first AI unicorn—by Nasdaq. These combined strengths are attracting top talent and fostering a thriving, resilient, and innovative community.
By connecting tech companies with resources, acting as a collective voice for sector-wide interests, and driving strategic initiatives and workforce development, techNL is building an ecosystem that supports growth and innovation.
Empowering Growth: techNL’s Comprehensive Programs and Initiatives
Central to techNL’s efforts is its dedication to building a skilled workforce capable of meeting the tech sector’s increasing demands. The Find Your Future in Tech (FYFIT) project, launched in 2023, is a standout example of this mission. With $32 million in Federal Government of Canada funding via the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program (Employment and Social Development Canada), the initiative trained and upskilled over 3,900 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, helping participants to enhance their skills at all levels of their career journey. Delivered in collaboration with 11 partners—including Keyin College, Memorial University of Newfoundland, College of the North Atlantic (CNA), ACENET, ethree Consulting, Get-Building (previously Get-Coding), The Leap Method, Women in Resource Development Corporation (WRDC), CoLab, Genoa Design, and SEM Ltd.—the program focused on equity-priority groups to foster a more diverse and inclusive tech ecosystem, with 65 per cent of participants identifying as members of these groups.
Building on this foundation, the High School Tech Immersion Program introduces students in Grades 10–12 to the exciting possibilities of tech careers. The program offers unique paid summer internships, digital skills training, and networking opportunities in the NL tech sector.
The addition of a $1.8 million, three-year contribution from Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. in 2024 has expanded the program to reach more students, especially those who self-identify from underrepresented groups, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to all.
For businesses with immediate workforce needs, techNL’s Ready Talent initiative connects employers with skilled professionals, from recent graduates to mid-career pivoters and newcomers to the province.
The program offers a robust database of job-ready candidates, a curated job board, and representation at career fairs to attract and retain top talent to Newfoundland and Labrador. It also supports NL’s tech workers with peer groups and HR advisory support. By addressing barriers to workforce entry, the Ready Talent team ensures businesses can scale while fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for global talent.
techNL is also making waves on a global scale with initiatives like the Scale-Up Hub Program, which connects local tech companies with international markets, and collaborations in cutting-edge sectors like digital energy and healthcare, techNL drives global recognition for the province’s expertise and tech-focused solutions.
In the healthcare sector, techNL hosts and supports Bounce Health Innovation, a program that supports entrepreneurs developing cutting-edge medical and digital health technologies. With resources such as coaching, regulatory guidance, access to experts, and grant funding, Bounce helps innovators turn their ideas into businesses that bring life-changing solutions into practice.
“The world of healthcare is at a crisis point that is crying out for innovative solutions. Newfoundland and Labrador is an amazing place to start and build the businesses that will be the future of healthcare,” says Andy Fisher, Director of Bounce Health Innovation.
At the heart of techNL’s community-building efforts is the Co. Innovation Centre (COIC), a 54,000-square-foot facility designed to foster collaboration and creativity. Hosted and supported by techNL, the COIC is a physical hub for innovation. It provides state-of-the-art spaces where members of the innovation ecosystem, entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders can converge, collaborate, and cocreate, turning bold ideas into reality.
Together, these initiatives form a cohesive strategy to support the growth and sustainability of NL’s tech sector. By building talent, fostering collaboration, and driving innovation across industries, techNL is creating an ecosystem rooted in the connections between people—where businesses and individuals can thrive.
Building Community, Raising Awareness, and Championing Diversity
The strength of Newfoundland and Labrador’s tech ecosystem lies in its innovation but also in the connections, visibility, and inclusivity that fuel it. techNL understands that fostering a thriving tech sector requires more than programs and partnerships—it depends on a strong sense of community, a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and deliberate efforts to amplify the sector’s impact locally and globally. Events like Innovation Week, an annual multi-day conference featuring expert panels, workshops, and the prestigious techNL Industry Awards, bring stakeholders together to exchange knowledge and celebrate achievements.
techNL is also amplifying the sector’s visibility through creative storytelling. Over two seasons, the Creators at the World’s Edge podcast highlights the stories of diverse voices driving progress in Newfoundland and Labrador, inspiring audiences across the province and beyond.
The Tech is Making Waves campaign, which showcased local innovators through engaging video content, reinforces Newfoundland and Labrador’s position as a leader in global innovation.
The 2025 Wavemakers augmented reality project brings Newfoundland and Labrador’s tech story to life—launching in 2025. Located at the COIC, this unique art installation features an interactive map that uses augmented reality to showcase the global impact and connections of individuals and organizations within the province’s tech sector. To ensure accessibility for all audiences, the project will also include a desktop experience available on technl.ca.
techNL’s focus on visibility goes hand in hand with its commitment to diversity. By prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across its programs, the organization ensures that the tech ecosystem reflects the richness and diversity of the communities it serves. Initiatives like Ready Talent and High SchoolTech Immersion create pathways for underrepresented groups, while projects like the podcast and Wavemakers celebrate the contributions of all voices to the sector’s success.
A Bright Future for Tech in Newfoundland and Labrador
With the tech sector contributing over $1.8 billion to the province’s GDP as of 2023 (a 24 per cent increase from 2016), techNL is driving a transformation that is reshaping Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy. Through strategic initiatives and partnerships, techNL is strengthening the province’s tech ecosystem and positioning it for global success.
