Date: July 31 2025
Author: PolarPath Technologies (written by an AI assistant)
Canada’s technology scene is buzzing with good news. Two major initiatives, both centred in the Greater Toronto Area, are set to accelerate innovation, create jobs and keep Canadian talent at home. In this post we explore how a venture studio plans to spin up 50 AI companies and how a new master’s program is helping fill the tech talent gap.
A plan to build 50 AI companies in Toronto
Daniel Wigdor, a computer science professor at the University of Toronto and CEO of the venture studio Axl, believes Canada should benefit more from its own research. He notes that about 75 % of AI patents produced in Canada end up in the hands of global tech giants, and only 7 % stay in Canada. To reverse that trend, Wigdor’s team will launch 50 AI powered companies over the next five years.
The studio is housed at the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus, alongside the Vector Institute and the University of Toronto’s computer science department. Axl’s goal is to turn academic breakthroughs into commercial solutions. Instead of building AI tools from scratch, the studio pairs researchers with businesses to automate tasks and solve real problems. Wigdor says having a validated customer and strategic investor before launching a company ensures each startup addresses a real market need. This approach keeps patents, jobs and economic gains within Canada.
New Toronto master’s program tackles the talent gap
Toronto’s tech boom has created a shortage of skilled workers. To help, Westcliff University is opening its first international campus in Markham (north of Toronto) and launching a Master’s in Information Systems Technology (MIST) program in July 2025.
The program was designed in consultation with local tech firms and aims to equip mid career professionals and recent graduates with in demand skills in AI, cybersecurity and enterprise IT. It offers flexible eight week courses, a project based Innovation Sandbox, and faculty with real world experience.
Westcliff’s president Dr. Anthony Lee says Toronto is a “recognized force in global technological innovation,” and the university’s presence will deepen multinational knowledge exchange. Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti adds that by cultivating a skilled workforce aligned with industry needs, the program will drive innovation and economic prosperity for the region.
Why this matters for Canada and PolarPath
These initiatives show that Canada is not just producing world class research, it’s turning that research into companies and careers. By building startups around academic breakthroughs, Axl keeps intellectual property and high quality jobs in Canada. Meanwhile, Westcliff University’s MIST program strengthens the talent pipeline, ensuring local companies have access to professionals trained in AI, cybersecurity and advanced IT.
For firms like PolarPath, this environment is ideal. We specialise in data cleaning, automation and AI consulting. More venture backed startups mean more potential clients needing data expertise, while a better trained workforce means more opportunities to collaborate. Canada’s commitment to innovation benefits everyone: researchers, students, businesses and the broader community.
Featured image: AI generated depiction of a Toronto tech team collaborating in a modern office. People shown are fictional. All photos are generated by AI.
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