Markham is home to a diverse community and is renowned for its unwavering commitment to technology, innovation, and talent. With a population of over 350,000 residents, including a highly diverse and tech-savvy demographic, Markham provides a unique testing ground for cutting-edge technologies. 

Markham boasts a thriving tech ecosystem, with over 1,500 tech companies employing more than 35,400 knowledge sector workers. Markham’s business landscape includes industry giants such as IBM, AMD, and Qualcomm.

Markham provides a fertile environment for collaborations supported by a robust network of accelerator resources including ventureLAB, YSpace and Seneca Helix.

Markham is home to a satellite campus of York University, attracting over 4,000+ students gradually growing to 10,000. This academic presence not only adds to the city's dynamic energy but also provides a valuable pool of next generation users.

With a focus on innovation and a supportive business community, Markham is the ideal location for mobility and transport tech companies to showcase their technologies and drive the future of urban mobility.

The key demonstration sites in the City of Markham includes Markham Centre, which offers a dynamic mix of retail, residential, and office space, featuring a unique blend of modern architecture, green spaces, and cultural landmarks

These residential corridors of Markham Centre that are located along Enterprise Boulevard between Warden Avenue and Birchmount Road.

The City of Markham has made considerable progress in digital service delivery, digital citizen engagement, and using innovative digital technologies to drive efficiencies in the mobile workforce, and connecting its residents. By innovating to become more digital and connected, Markham advances by integrating technology into urban life.

Markham moves forward as a digital city through a broad range of technology that enhances citizen engagement, improves employee collaboration, and optimizes service delivery. 

Priorities shaping Markham’s digital vision are: Real-time alerts (e.g. power outages, road closures, events), Report parking infractions on app, Seamless customer experience, Addressing the ‘Digital Divide’, Internet of Everything, ‘Smart’ Infrastructure • Re-imagined public spaces • Frictionless city

Vaughan is a vibrant and prosperous community and one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities. Home to nearly 341,000 people, its globally competitive economy includes more than 19,500 businesses, and is the largest employment center in York Region.​

Major city-building projects like Vaughan’s emerging downtown – the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre – and Canada’s first smart hospital – the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, as well as the 900-acre North Maple Regional Park which continue to generate momentum and excitement.​

As a Smart City leader, Vaughan seeks new and meaningful ways to incorporate innovative solutions into ongoing city-building efforts. From improving infrastructure and roads to recreation and healthcare, this strategy is fundamental to delivering a high standard of living and exceptional quality of life.​

Vaughan is embedded in innovation: as part of Canada’s second-largest tech hub, key industries include digital technologies and advanced manufacturing.​

Located in the Vaughan Metropolitan Mobility Hub, Vaughan is the only municipality outside Toronto with subway access.​

Through the OVIN Demonstration Zone, City of Vaughan is looking to demonstrate innovative and/or emerging technologies that align with our transportation and mobility objectives.​

Demonstrations are open for the entire City of Vaughan and may include areas such as:

Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) is Vaughan’s emerging downtown, poised to be the financial, innovation and cultural center of the city​

North Maple Regional Park (NMRP), a signature park and a world-class recreation and cultural destination. ​

City-operated properties, facilities and buildings including Vaughan City Hall, parking lots, community centers, fire stations, libraries etc

Vaughan is a Smart City leader that seeks new and meaningful ways to incorporate innovative solutions into city-building efforts and drive economic growth.

The City of Vaughan is a rapidly urbanizing city and recognizes the transformative power of becoming a Smart City, utilizing data and technology to drive positive impacts on social, economic, and environmental outcomes for its entire community.

Vaughan’s Information & Communications Technology (ICT) sector is home to over 1,200 companies and employs more than 6,400 people. As technology continues to evolve, a robust ICT sector not only positions the City at the forefront of global competitiveness but also contributes to the development of a skilled workforce.

In recent years, the City of Vaughan has gained recognition for its Smart City efforts. Selected awards and certifications include: Smart Cities Early Adopter International Organization of Standardization (ISO) 37122 certifications from the World Council on City Data;   Activate!Vaughan Smart City Challenge won a Gold Award from the Economic Development Council of Ontario (EDCO) in 2022; Two-time recipient of the 2021 Smart50 Awards for the Winter Maintenance Artificial Intelligence System and the LED Streetlight Retrofit Program; and  The Smart Cities Road Patrol Solution received the 2023 Peter J. Marshall Municipal Innovation Award and Project of the Year Award from the Ontario Public Works Association (OPWA)