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ventureLAB is proud to announce a new partnership with Westcliff University, marking the official launch of Westcliff’s first Canadian campus, right inside our innovation hub in Markham, Ontario. This exciting collaboration brings together a world-class academic institution and one of Canada’s most active innovation ecosystems to unlock bold new opportunities for students, researchers, and tech founders alike.
Co-locating at ventureLAB means that Westcliff students will be immersed in a real-world innovation environment, sharing space with fast-growing startups, global tech leaders, and a community built to fuel commercialization and scale. With access to ventureLAB’s resources, mentorship, and active hardtech ecosystem, students will move beyond traditional classroom experiences and into the heart of Canada’s tech economy.
Westcliff University, based in Irvine, California, is a globally recognized institution offering career-focused programs in business, engineering, and technology. Its new Canadian offering launches with a Master’s in Information Systems and Technology (MIST), a program built for today’s most in-demand tech careers including AI, cybersecurity, and smart manufacturing. The program is designed to be flexible and industry-driven, with students participating in eight-week modules, applied research projects, and hybrid learning that combines in-person collaboration with online convenience.
As outlined in their recent announcement, Westcliff’s move into Canada is a strategic response to a rapidly growing demand for skilled tech professionals. Ontario alone is expected to add over 300,000 new tech jobs by 2030, with high vacancy rates in advanced IT and hardtech roles. Westcliff’s campus at ventureLAB aims to help close that gap, placing students directly within one of the most active innovation spaces in the country.
At ventureLAB, we power hardtech founders to build and scale globally competitive ventures that advance Canada’s knowledge-based economy. Located in York Region, at the heart of Ontario’s innovation corridor, our 50,000 square foot space is home to startups, scale-ups, labs, industry partners, and now, a new generation of students ready to learn, collaborate, and innovate.
By embedding Westcliff’s academic programs directly into the ventureLAB ecosystem, we’re creating an environment where learning meets innovation, where students gain firsthand exposure to tech commercialization, startup life, and applied research. At the same time, our companies benefit from new talent, fresh thinking, and research-driven collaborations. This partnership represents more than just co-location. It’s about creating bridges between higher education and high-impact innovation. It’s about giving students the tools, experience, and network to shape their futures, and Canada’s.
To celebrate their expansion into Ontario, Westcliff University is offering Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents an automatic tuition discount of up to 50% off when they join the inaugural cohort this October. This is a limited-time offer, so apply now to secure your spot and this incredible savings. For more information, contact Canada@westcliff.edu or give them a call at 647-601-3592.
We’re excited to welcome Westcliff University into our community and can’t wait to see what we’ll build together!
