Ottawa Named One of the Top 70 Emerging Ecosystems Worldwide in the 2026 Global Startup Ecosystem Report by Startup Genome

On June 17, 2026, the 2026 Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) was released by Startup Genome and Invest Ottawa during VivaTech Paris. This extensive report leverages a robust dataset encompassing over 5.5 million companies from over 350 entrepreneurial ecosystems globally. It offers an in-depth analysis of current global startup trends and highlights leading ecosystems by ranking the Top 40 global ecosystems and Top 100 emerging ecosystems, along with regional insights.

Notably, the report emphasizes Ottawa's growth, identifying it as an Emerging Ecosystem ranked between #61-70. From July 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025, Ottawa's ecosystem generated $2.6 billion in Ecosystem Value, showcasing a 20% increase compared to a prior report covering 2018 to 2020. Ecosystem Value, a metric assessing economic impact, reflects the combined value of startup valuations and exits.

Ottawa also demonstrates notable standings within North America:
- It ranks in the Top 20 for Funding Runway, indicating favorable conditions for tech startups from venture capital rounds.
- The city is within the Top 25 for AI-Native Clusters, highlighting its active involvement in AI startups.
- Ottawa ranks in the Top 30 for R&D Engine, showcasing innovation through research and patent activity.
- It is recognized in the Top 40 for Talent Strength, indicating its capacity to nurture and retain talent.
- The ecosystem also lands in the Top 40 for Deal Momentum, indicative of investment activity at the early stages.
- Additionally, Ottawa ranks in the Top 50 for overall ecosystem performance, as gauged by tech startup valuation and exit value.

Key sectors driving Ottawa's startup growth include Software & Applied AI, Healthtech, and Defense Tech & Smart Mobility. This momentum is supported through strategic access to federal decision-makers and innovation hubs like Area X.O. The region boasts the highest concentration of tech talent in North America for the past six years. Noteworthy funding achievements include Dominion Dynamics raising $18.7 million for dual-use defense technologies, while Assent secured over $533 million for its supply chain risk management platform.

According to Sonya Shorey, President and CEO of Invest Ottawa, the local founders are recognized for their ambition and collaboration, supporting each other to build impactful companies. The report also notes significant shifts in the entrepreneurial landscape, recognizing AI's increasing role and expanding its scrutiny of emerging ecosystems.

This year's GSER builds on previous findings and provides critical insights into global innovation ecosystems, analyzing trends, capital flows, and policy mechanisms that foster entrepreneurial success. By including an expanded AI-focused analysis, the report reflects the sector's growing competitive significance. With over a decade of independent research and collaboration with entities across 65+ countries, the GSER offers practical strategies and actionable data to aid policymakers, ecosystem leaders, and entrepreneurs in driving economic growth.

Ottawa’s upward trajectory is evident as it advances in global rankings, highlighting the intersection of its strengths in Enterprise Software, Healthtech, and Defensetech. The emergence of a dynamic environment conducive to high-growth startups is a testament to Invest Ottawa’s effective leadership in supporting local innovations.

For further details, the full report can be accessed via Startup Genome.