The past several years have been good to the global startup economy. 2021 set many records for startup financing in Canada.
The year included many sizeable rounds, such as $61 million for Propel Holdings; $64 million for Neo Financial; $44 million for Properly; $72 million for Bench; and nearly $300 million for Fraction Technologies in Vancouver.
We could go on.
This year, a different picture is being painted, especially as we move into the second half of the year. Large drips of 2021’s energy still poured into the first quarter of this year. But you could sense the shift in market because founders were suddenly very grateful and quite proud to be raising any capital at all with such a downturn looming.
In the middle of 2022, the bigger news became layoffs, with Canadian tech darlings such as the Wealthsimple having to trim some of their fat. Some, like Thinkific, were hit particularly hard, laying off up to 20% of their total workforce. Even Shopify took a major hit. Others, such as Hootsuite, have thus far been spared from layoffs, though are exercising caution nonetheless.
Not every company is in the same situation. While some have entered survival mode, others are doing fine—quite well, actually.
Let’s take a look at some actively hiring tech firms in Canada.
Monstercat
Monstercat is North America’s largest independent electronic music record label, “finely in-tune with an audience that communicates primarily in the online realm.” Notable achievements include: over 7 million YouTube subscribers, 4 billion streams, and 4 million record sales. Monstercat—which was founded in Ontario and boasts a team in Vancouver—this year launched its own NFT platform, Relics.
The company, founded in 2011, is seeking a back-end developer and more.
TalentMinded
This Toronto company provides subscription-based managed recruiting programs to bring “the best processes, tools, technology and people packaged in one monthly fixed price.” TalentMinded delivers intelligent, flexible talent acquisition solutions that can scale.
The company is looking to fill several roles, such as financial analyst, project manager, and social media community manager.
Smoking Gun Interactive
SGI is an independent game development studio focused on creating revolutionary gaming experiences. Founded in 2007, Smoking Gun has developed a wide range of games from original IP to mobile apps and online experiences.
The Vancouver-based company is hiring for several remote positions, including programmer, game designer, and animator.
Yardi Systems
Yardi is a global software company providing innovative property management solutions and services in every real estate market. They are focused on providing customers with superior products, are “passionate about technology, and believe work should be fulfilling and fun.”
The Toronto-based company is hiring for multiple roles, including associate technical account manager.
Trolley
Montreal-based Trolley’s vision is to unlock the collective economic opportunity of the internet for everyone by building a truly global payouts ecosystem. A payouts solution of choice for hundreds of businesses, Trolley has made payouts to over 1.1 million different musicians, artists, makers, vendors, and suppliers around the world.
The firm is hiring for several remote positions such as front-end and back-end developers.
Arcurve
In 2006, Arcurve began with a belief that there was a better way to deliver professional services in the technology industry. Born in Calgary, the company boasts offices in Halifax, Vancouver, and Houston in the US.
Arcurve is seeking a machine learning developer, project manager, and more.
Connected
Founded in 2014, Toronto-based Connected is not a dev shop or a design agency or a strategic consultancy; rather the company operates as a “uniquely integrated product development firm.” The firm is both industry- and technology-agnostic, and is “privileged to work on a wide range of products with a number of globally recognized brands.”
Connected has opportunities in software engineering, product design, and more.
APOLLO Insurance
The Vancouver-based insur-tech firm runs policy purchases through its APOLLOAcurve Exchange, the company’s embedded proprietary platform.
“Our digital-forward approach eliminates traditional paper-based processes by leveraging extensive data and intelligent algorithms to quote, collect payment, and issue policies—all without human intervention,” explains Chloe Lyons, Director of Recruitment for APOLLO.
Lyons told Tech Talent Canada that this digital-forward approach is “fast, easy, and redefining insurance distribution.” It’s a transformation that is sweeping Canada’s entire financial technology sector.
The growing APOLLO is hiring for several positions, including software engineers and developers to help continue improving the technology behind the business. “We have several open roles,” confirms Lyons. “We are hoping to connect with top talent to join our team.”
Helcim
Calgary’s Helcim, a payments company that powers small business, closed its Series A funding round in March. The company will invest in growing its team across the organization, adding more than 150 staff members over the next two years, including developers, and salespeople.
They need developers and more.
Thomson Reuters
The Canadian multinational media conglomerate announced this month that it is expanding its Work from Anywhere policy. The Toronto-born giant also unveiled a new sabbatical program arriving this fall.
Within Canada, the company currently employees roughly 1,300 people across multiple offices, including one in Montreal and a major base in Toronto. Overall, Thomson Reuters operates several spaces in the region, including the Technology Centre and TR Labs, both of which are located in Toronto.
Thomson Reuters is actively hiring for more than 100 positions in Canada, including dozens of technology-related roles.
