When Optiva, an Ontario-based telecom software company, started searching for the location of its first European Centre of Excellence, it discovered numerous options. Initially, major cities like London, Paris, Berlin, and Amsterdam seemed like the most attractive choices due to their large talent pools and concentration of global headquarters. However, upon closer inspection, Northern Ireland emerged as a top contender for reasons that differed from the traditional criteria.
“As long as you invest in being part of the ecosystem—not just financially, but as a good citizen—doors are going to open.” — Michael Barton, Invest Northern Ireland
By the end of 2021, Optiva had established a base in Belfast, attracted by the availability of engineering talent, connections with local universities, and a dynamic software industry. Within a year, the team expanded to 20 employees and announced plans to double that size.
“We’re not waiting for the future of telecom,” stated Richard McLaughlin, Optiva’s site lead, regarding the expansion. “We’re helping to create it—and our Belfast presence is paramount in helping us achieve this.”
Optiva’s experience is not unique. Michael Barton, the Regional Director for Canada at Invest Northern Ireland, noted that Canadian firms are increasingly recognizing the region’s offerings, which differ from those of larger markets that typically top expansion lists.
“If you’re coming in and building as part of this ecosystem, you’re going to be embraced,” Barton said. “Doors are going to open. It’s built on relationships, and that’s something Canadian founders understand.”
For Canadian tech leaders interested in Europe, Northern Ireland offers a strategic entry point. Beyond lower costs and a shared language, or even its proximity to key markets in Great Britain, Ireland, and Europe, Barton credits its infrastructure, talent, and active support for enabling faster, easier, and more sustainable growth.
Local support often begins with Invest Northern Ireland. The agency assists both local and international companies in navigating tax laws and hiring regulations and fosters direct connections with universities, research institutions, and startups.
These advantages are ingrained in the region’s infrastructure. Northern Ireland was the first European region to achieve complete broadband coverage and continues to lead with a digital, fibre-optic network. A high-speed, 100-gigabyte-per-second transatlantic and terrestrial link connects Belfast directly to North America and Europe, granting Canadian companies a competitive advantage in latency-sensitive sectors such as FinTech and AI.
When Canadian founders expand internationally, talent is often their primary concern, and according to Barton, Northern Ireland surprises them in this regard.
Last year, Samsung identified Northern Ireland as the UK’s future ‘Silicon Valley,’ citing the region’s growing tech aspirations among young people. With institutions like Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University producing a steady stream of qualified graduates, the region thrives in sectors such as cybersecurity, FinTech, and data analytics, particularly for firms aiming to expand engineering or R&D capabilities.
“If you come to Northern Ireland, you’re also in a slightly smaller pond, so you can almost become that big fish in that small pond and get access to the same level of talent,” Barton added.
Montréal-based retail giant Lightspeed recognized this opportunity in 2020 after acquiring ShopKeep, which had previously worked with Invest Northern Ireland to establish a presence in Belfast and access local engineering talent.
Today, Lightspeed’s Belfast office is expanding, supporting a growing list of local clients, including The Drone Factory, which uses Lightspeed Retail and eCom to integrate in‑store and online sales.
“Lightspeed’s now got about 120 people doing development work in Northern Ireland,” Barton said. “They’ve found strong talent here to support their European and UK growth.”
Over 60 percent of new investors reinvest in the region, and venture capital inflows into Northern Ireland have surged by 221 percent in the past four years. Belfast has become the focal point of the region’s tech sector, ranking second in Western Europe for US cybersecurity investment and being recognized as a leading destination for global FinTech investment.
According to Barton, being part of an ecosystem with the benefits of a capital city without the competition and cost barriers of places like London or Dublin is an advantage.
“I think the business part is probably more in common with smaller Canadian provinces or cities,” Barton noted. “Belfast is a big city in Northern Ireland, but still feels like a small city. It’s very relationship-driven.”
This culture is evident in how founders are welcomed, how quickly teams are formed, and the close-knit nature of the ecosystem. For many Canadians, the region may feel surprisingly familiar, not only due to shared language and close economic ties but also because of something deeper.
“As long as you invest in being part of the ecosystem—not just financially, but as a good citizen—doors are going to open.”
Invest Northern Ireland is assisting Canadian startups in building smarter within Europe. Find out how.
Feature image provided by Invest Northern Ireland.