The Business in Vancouver (BIV) featured the top 20 B.C.-based tech companies in its recent annual magazine – BC Tech 2019. The publication ranked these companies by their respective revenues in 2018. This is an industry specific annual publication driven by interviews with the companies and BIV research. Here, we’ve rounded up the top 10 B.C.-based tech companies.
#10 Vecima Networks
Vecima Networks Inc. took home the tenth spot in the BC Tech’s list of top 20 B.C.-based tech companies, ranked by their respective revenues in 2018.
Founded in 1988, with its head office in Victoria, Vecima Networks deals in three segments, including video content delivery and storage, video and broadband solutions, and telematics (long-distance transmission of computerized information).
The magazine reported the company’s revenue to be $78,100 in 2018 compared to $71,460 in 2017. The total number of employees, however, declined to 61 in 2018 from 67 in 2017.
#9 Canada Drives
Canada Drives came in ninth on the BC Tech 2019 list of top B.C.-based tech companies, climbing up three positions from last year.
Founded a decade ago in Vancouver, Canada Drives is a financial technology company that enables Canadians to access auto financing and other credit products through an online platform.
The company experienced a significant rise in its revenue since 2017. The magazine reported the company’s revenue to be $98,440 in 2018 compared to $72, 450 in 2017. The total number of employees went up to 430 in 2018 from 400 in 2017.
#8 Absolute
Absolute bagged the eighth position in BC Tech’s recent list of top B.C.-based tech companies by revenue, climbing up one spot from 2018 rankings.
Founded in 1993 in Vancouver, Absolute deals in embedded, persistent end-point security and management solutions for smartphones, tablets, laptops and computers.
Having generated $118, 900 in 2018, the company saw a decline in its revenue which was $121,000 in 2017.
#7 Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems Inc. is another high-riser in the rankings. The company bagged seventh position in BC Tech 2019 list, climbing up one spot from 2017.
Founded in 1979 with its head office in Burnaby, Ballard Power Systems Inc. deals in the development, sale and servicing of clean-energy hydrogen fuel cells.
However, the company’s 2018 revenue, as reported by BC Tech 2019, declined from $157, 500 in 2017 to $125,150 in 2018. The number of employees in the company also came down to 440 in 2018 from 442 in 2017.
#6 Microserve
Microserve climbed up to the sixth position this year from being in 10th in BC Tech’s 2018 list of biggest B.C.-based company by revenue.
Founded in 1987 with its head office in Burnaby, Microserve deals in information technology solutions and services with specialization in cloud, managed IT and IT staffing.
The company experienced a significant rise in its revenue since 2017. The magazine reported the company’s revenue to be $132, 370 in 2018 as opposed to being $91, 730 in 2017. The total number of employees increased to 207 in 2018 from 155 in 2017.
#5 Novelion Therapeutics
Novelion Therapeutics jumped one spot on the BC Tech’s list to become the fifth biggest B.C.-based company by revenue.
Founded in 1981 with its head office in Vancouver, Novelion Therapeutics is a biotechnology company that develops and commercializes innovative ocular products to help meet the otherwise unmet medical needs.
However, the company’s 2018 revenue, as reported by BC Tech 2019, is less than the revenue it generated in 2017. The company generated $169, 000 in revenue in 2018 as opposed to having made $179,780 in 2017. The publication did not provide information on the total number of employees in the company.
#4 Stemcell Technologies
Stemcell Technologies Inc. climbed up a few spots on the BC Tech’s recent list and now resides in the fourth spot.
Founded in the year 1993 with its head office in Vancouver, Stemcell Technologies Inc. deals in
culture media, cell separation, antibodies, small molecules and education services among others.
The company experienced a significant rise in its revenue since 2017. The magazine reported the company’s revenue to be $200,00 in 2018, a sharp spike from $166, 940 in 2017. The total number of employees was reported to be 919 in 2018, a little higher than 898 employees in 2017.
#3 Westport Fuel Systems
Westport Fuel Systems Inc. climbed up one spot on the BC Tech list, from last year, to become the third biggest B.C.-based company by revenue.
Founded in 1995 with its head office in Vancouver, Westport Fuel Systems deals in engineering of advanced natural gas engines and fuel systems.
The magazine reported the company’s revenue to be $350,210 in 2018, an increase from $320,840 in 2017. The total number of employees was reported to be 194 in 2018, unchanged from 2017.
#2 Sierra Wireless
Coming in second place is Sierra Wireless Inc.
Founded in the year 1993 with its head office in Richmond, Sierra Wireless deals in hardware, software and services for connected devices.
There has been a significant rise in the revenue of the company since 2017. The magazine reported the company’s revenue to be $1, 028, 270 in 2018, an increase from nearly $900,000 in 2017. The total number of employees was reported to be 402 in 2018, representing zero change from the year prior.
#1 Telus
For the seventh year in a row, Telus bagged the first position in the BC Tech’s list of top 20 B.C.-based tech companies.
Founded in 1990 with its head office in Vancouver, Telus deals in communications products and services.
The magazine reported the company’s revenue to be $14,368,000 in 2018, increasing from $13,408,000 in 2017. For the past two years, the total number of employees has remained steady at 7, 900.