About GTDC
What is the Guelph Technology and Design Cluster Co-operative?
The Guelph Technology and Design Cluster Co-operative is a not for profit organization for bringing together technology, design, and knowledged based companies\individuals. Its purpose is to encourage collaboration amongst companies\individuals and to bring recognition to the knowledged based community.
Why is collaboration important?
The purpose of the cluster is to bring together small and medium sized technology companies in order to accomplish more than what could be accomplished independently. Most of these companies focus on specific development technologies and have different core competencies. This can limit opportunities when a company is lacking a particular skill or does not have enough resources to take on a new opportunity. Many new technologies companies have little or no business experience or training. They have excellent technical ability, passion, and brilliant ideas but tend to struggle due to lack of support. The cluster is comprised of companies in different stages of maturity from early start up, late start up, and successful established companies. Mature companies provide mentoring and support for start up companies.
How does this benefit Guelph?
The cluster is geographically dispersed throughout the Guelph area although there is a heavy concentration of existing companies in the downtown core. These companies are naturally drawn to the downtown due to the availability of economical rental space and the many positive amenities that the downtown has to offer. The employees of these companies conduct their business in the many cafes and restaurants available in downtown Guelph. They hold their various events in local establishments. Ironically, many of these companies exist hidden on the 2nd and 3rd floors of downtown buildings and are unknown to each other. They may export their products and services primarily to the United States and the world via the Internet but may conduct little business in Guelph. This underground technology community contributes to Guelph by supporting local businesses, creating jobs, paying taxes, and developing recent graduates. Many of these people live in the downtown area and walk or ride their bikes to work. Many commute from Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Oakville, and Hamilton, to work in downtown Guelph. The development of the Guelph Technology and Design Cluster Co-operative will attract technology companies and skilled employees to the Guelph area. It will decrease the exodus of technology companies from Guelph to the Kitchener-Waterloo area. New graduates from the University of Guelph will be able to find local employment and will have opportunities to develop their technological skills.
