kingston ranks top among small canadian cities for startups
a global ranking of cities gives kingston high marks for its cleantech and health innovation
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dr. sunil patel, colorectal surgeon at kingston health sciences centre, provides a tour of the da vinci surgical robot at kingston general hospital on wednesday, oct. 2, 2024. kingston's 6th-place ranking in canada in the health tech sector has helped it be named one of the best cities for startups -- first place in cities of its size in canada, 9th overall in canada, 7th in north america and 178th globally.
meghan balogh
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the whig-standard file photo
kingston was again named the top small city in canada for startups.
startupblink put kingston in the top spot among cities with populations between 50,000 and 100,000 for the sixth straight year.
kingston placed ninth overall in canada, seventh in north america and 178th globally, up one spot from last year.
kingston’s ranking was buoyed by its eighth place global ranking for cleantech, fourth place global ranking in energy and environment and sixth-place ranking in canada in the health tech sector.
“we’re thrilled to see kingston not only secure its leadership position but continue to climb in global rankings,” donna gillespie, chief executive officer of kingston economic development corporation.
“our eighth place global ranking in cleantech and recognition as the fourth small city worldwide for energy and environment reflect kingston’s strategic focus on sustainable innovation,” gillespie said. “these results validate our community’s collaborative effort to build an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurs from ideation to commercialization, creating meaningful economic impact and high-quality jobs.”
startupblink annually ranks 1,473 cities in 114 countries for the strength of their startup ecosystems.
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“kingston’s consistent leadership in the startupblink rankings reflects our community’s collaborative approach to economic development and innovation,” kingston mayor bryan paterson said.
“our city’s recognition as canada’s top small city for startups and its ranking as seventh among small cities in north america highlight the city’s outsized impact and global competitiveness,” paterson added. “our strategic investments in sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurial support are paying dividends, creating a vibrant ecosystem where businesses can start, scale and succeed.”
“kingston’s entrepreneurial ecosystem continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and growth,” said norman musengimana, kedco’s manager for start-ups and entrepreneurship. “our success stems from the passionate entrepreneurs who choose kingston as their home, alongside our network of mentors, investors, and support organizations who nurture innovation. what’s particularly exciting is seeing kingston-born startups increasingly making their mark on the global stage while maintaining deep roots in our community.”
elferguson@postmedia.com
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