A world class development centre where top
talent will learn, grow and innovate
VANCOUVER, June 17, 2016 /CNW/ - Microsoft today officially
opened the doors of the Microsoft Canada Excellence Centre (MCEC)
in Vancouver, a state-of-the art
development facility that will create innovative products for the
global market and develop technology talent in British Columbia.
"Vancouver is becoming a global
centre for technology, and we're committed to helping grow
Canada's innovation economy." said
Microsoft President, Brad Smith.
"Our new development centre will bring talented Canadians together
with leading talent from around the world to help develop the
technologies of tomorrow."
The MCEC will allow Microsoft's presence in Vancouver to grow to more than 750 positions.
It will inject $90 million in direct
investment in the city annually. Across the province, it will have
an estimated economic impact of $180
million each year.
"There is no better time to invest in Canada," said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "I welcome Microsoft's decision
to add as many as 450 new development jobs to their Vancouver operations – it is a real vote of
confidence in the community, and in the talent and expertise of
Canadian workers."
Microsoft chose Vancouver
because of its strong technology ecosystem and British Columbia's network of globally
recognized universities that provide a robust talent pipeline. The
centre with its close proximity to Microsoft's global headquarters,
gives the company's local developers and interns the opportunity to
collaborate on projects as part of a diverse team of professionals.
The Seeing AI research project is one recent example of Microsoft
interns and developers collaborating with those based at
Microsoft's headquarter in Redmond,
Washington. The research project, being developed to help
the visually impaired, was introduced this Spring by Microsoft CEO
Satya Nadella.
"The centre will serve as yet another gateway between
British Columbia and the world."
said the Hon. Christy Clark, Premier
of British Columbia. This is
further evidence of the talent and potential that Vancouver and the B.C.'s thriving tech sector
have to offer, and we're pleased that Microsoft has made such a
strong commitment to the future of innovation in this
province."
The MCEC will house developers from the Vancouver region, across Canada and around the world, as they bring to
life new technologies and applications ranging from apps (Skype,
OneNote, MSN) to gaming products (Gears of War), interactive
television app (NFL for Xbox and Windows 10), mixed reality
(Microsoft HoloLens) and ground-breaking accessibility products
(Seeing AI).
"It's no coincidence that Vancouver's nation-leading economy is also the
home to world-class tech talent filling 75,000 technology jobs with
another 15,000 expected in the next three years," says Mayor
Gregor Robertson. "Vancouver's diverse and entrepreneurial tech
ecosystem is a big draw to leading global companies like Microsoft
who, time and time again, choose Vancouver as a centre of innovation and
excellence."
The MCEC is located in the heart of downtown Vancouver in a remodeled 142,000 square foot
space in the Granville Centre. It
features the latest architectural designs, and floor-to-ceiling
views of the city and surrounding mountains. Designed by
architect Clive Wilkinson, it boasts
two 150-person multi-purpose community rooms, and both open and
closed collaboration spaces. It also has a "Maker's Garage," an
outlet for experimental projects with both hardware and software,
that incorporates new design features to enhance
productivity.
Quotes:
"The Microsoft Canada Excellence Centre shows how strongly
Microsoft values the depth of talent here in Canada, and it is a great source of pride for
all of us. We firmly believe Canada can play a leading role in developing
the innovations that will redefine how we think about technology -
not just in this country but around the world."
Janet Kennedy, President, Microsoft Canada
"Technology is driven forward by the best and brightest. The
diverse makeup of the people of this city, and this country, are a
significant advantage. Our goal is to bring dynamic local talent,
both senior and developing, together with the best and brightest
from around the world to make Canada a leader in innovation."
Edoardo De Martin, Director,
Microsoft Canada Excellence Centre
"The opening of the Microsoft Canada Excellence Centre marks an
important new chapter in Microsoft's storied roots in British Columbia. The origins of some of
Microsoft's most successful products - Outlook Mail and SharePoint
- can be traced to technologies that were developed in Vancouver. We're excited to see the expansion
of Microsoft's efforts and the opening of their 'second home' in
Vancouver."
Bill Tam, President & CEO,
BC Tech Association
"The Microsoft Canada Excellence Centre, with its focus on
innovation and collaboration, is a welcome addition to the BC tech
ecosystem. Microsoft is a well-established member of the BCTECH
community and through its leadership encourages the growth of tech
talent and the development of technology solutions that are
changing our lives."
Greg Caws, President and CEO
of the BC Innovation Council (BCIC)
"This was a unique opportunity. We wanted to make sure we
could take advantage of this raw space without obliterating the
views or vistas. The challenge with such a large space was to make
people feel good, to allow them to do individual and team work,
collaborate and enjoy the space without feeling they were in a
maze-like a corridor of spaces."
Brenda Ball, Microsoft
Regional Workplace Strategist
ABOUT MICROSOFT CANADA
Established in 1985,
Microsoft Canada Inc. is the Canadian subsidiary of
Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq "MSFT") the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses
realize their full potential. Microsoft Canada provides
nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services
in both French and English. Headquartered in Mississauga,
Microsoft Canada has nine regional offices across the
country dedicated to empowering people through great software - any
time, any place and on any device. For more information on
Microsoft Canada, please visit www.microsoft.ca.
SOURCE Microsoft Canada Inc.