Five Ottawa Startups Revolutionizing Defense and Cybersecurity

Ottawa's Thriving Defence and Cybersecurity Ecosystem

On November 4, 2025, Ottawa emerged as a national leader in the defence and cybersecurity sector, showcasing five innovative companies dedicated to enhancing national security and Canada’s global competitiveness. These businesses, highlighted in a feature by the Ottawa Business Journal in collaboration with Invest Ottawa, exemplify the robust and purposeful innovation framework that Ottawa offers.

1. GameStrat: Established in 2015 by Tunch Akkaya and Elijah Wu, GameStrat is transforming real-time video replay technology for sports and tactical applications. Their platform allows for offline, wireless, multi-angle video replay, thus aiding coaching, combat simulation, and training, even in remote locales. With a clientele exceeding 850 football programs in the U.S., GameStrat is also working with law enforcement and special operations to expand its focus to performance analysis and tactical training.

2. H2 Analytics: Founded in 2017 by Hugo Hodgett, H2 Analytics focuses on creating the Exercise Architect Suite (EASE), a platform that offers realistic, data-rich training simulations mainly for military and public safety. Recognized as one of Deloitte’s 2025 Technology Fast 50 Companies-to-Watch, H2 Analytics has facilitated over 50 training exercises in collaboration with the Canadian Armed Forces and other security agencies, modernizing military training through scalable, AI-driven automation.

3. Metropolitan Technologies: This company, launched in 2022 by Daly Brown and Nick Foubert, is at the forefront of cybersecurity, crafting a decentralized connectivity platform aimed at protecting critical infrastructure in challenging environments. Their compliance-by-design solution fosters a digital transformation across various sectors, including energy and transportation, and is supported by partnerships with major defense firms, advancing the future of secure communications.

4. Quantropi: Founded in 2018 by James Nguyen and Randy Kuang, Quantropi specializes in quantum cybersecurity with its QiSpace® platform, which provides quantum-secure cryptographic solutions. Recognized in the 2025 NATO DIANA Accelerator Program, Quantropi's tech has gained validation from prominent institutions such as Deutsche Telekom and Siemens Research, creating commercial links with companies like Palo Alto Networks and ST Micro.

5. Tactiql: Founded by former Canadian Armed Forces veteran Michael Nelson in 2022, Tactiql is pioneering software that automates the integration of remote, multi-modal sensor data for military applications. Their flagship product, Fulcrum, enhances compatibility and interoperability among military systems across Canada, the U.S., and NATO allies. Tactiql’s selection as one of only 15 firms for NATO DIANA Phase II underscores its distinctive contribution to the field.

Ottawa is home to over 330 companies in the defence, security, and cybersecurity sectors, employing upwards of 10,000 individuals, making it one of Canada’s most significant defence innovation hubs. The region houses essential federal research labs and the administrative centers of various security and defence agencies, solidifying its infrastructure for technological development.

This concentration of talent and resources fosters an environment ripe for innovation, enabling Ottawa enterprises to drive technologies that bolster national security, economic growth, and national sovereignty. Collectively, these highlighted startups reinforce Ottawa’s stature as a pivotal national nexus for defence and cybersecurity innovation, showcasing a collaborative ecosystem involving entrepreneurs, academia, research institutes, and government agencies.