Our story
The Kanata North Business Association marked its 10th anniversary in 2023. There is lots to celebrate as Canada’s largest technology park continues to grow its relevance in Kanata North and across the globe. With 540+ member companies from emerging sectors including Clean Tech, AI, Fintech and healthcare, our association is fast-growing. Learn about where we came from and where we’re going.
To find out if you’re a member company, locate your business on the map below. If you fall within the tech park boundaries, then your business is automatically a member. As a member-driven organization we can only be successful with the help of our member businesses. To find out how you can get involved, please contact us.
540+
companies in the tech park
33k
employees in the tech park
13B
contribution to Canada’s GDP annually
What we do
The Kanata North Business Association represents and advocates for the best interests of the 540+ member companies. As a critical part of Ottawa’s economic development future and a renowned hub of technology and innovation, the Kanata North Technology Park is a robust and vital region that can foster even greater success for its member companies by having:
- A strong voice with the City of Ottawa, the province and our partner organizations.
- A vibrant eco-system to support growth and prosperity for all area businesses.
- Closer connections and collaboration among member companies.
- An integrated multi-partner promotions strategy to build awareness about Kanata North as a centre for innovation.
- The right pieces in place to attract top talent and new businesses to the area.
The Kanata North Business Association works specifically to:
- Identify shared local concerns and work with members, the City and partners to make immediate improvements and develop longer-term solutions.
- Facilitate community collaboration projects to increase Kanata North’s ability to attract new businesses and new talent.
- Promote Kanata North as an attractive and exciting business environment in order to attract new businesses and top talent.
- Create an eco-system of all local businesses to support business needs and objectives by making it easier for people to connect to each other and to the community.
- Provide strong representation as part of the City of Ottawa’s Council of BIA’s through a more productive and informed relationship with City of Ottawa politicians and development officials.
We advocate for and strive to create an environment for business success by facilitating connections, awareness and community pride to be a place where people want to live, work, play, learn and innovate.
#SuccessHappens in Kanata North.
Mission & Vision
Our Mission: To advocate for and create an environment for business success by facilitating connections, awareness and community pride to be a place where people want to live, work, play, learn and innovate.
Our Vision: To be the best place in Canada for technology companies to grow, prosper and thrive.
Meet our team
A small but mighty team with BIG ideas.
Jamie is a well-known and established member of the KNBA business community with a reputation as a community builder and thought leader. She has a clear vision and strategy for Kanata North to build our vibrant local community and Canada’s largest technology park.
With a wealth of experience in brand building, strategy development, marketing and sales combined with a strong network of local, national and international business relationships, Jamie is uniquely positioned to fill the role. As a founding member of Canadian SaaS Accelerator, L-SPARK, Jamie was head of marketing since its launch in 2014, and she is passionate about developing Canada’s technology companies into globally competitive firms.
Jamie has served as a member of the board of Women in Communications and Technology and is a strong advocate for women in technology.
Board of Directors
The leadership of the Kanata North Business Association consists of a Board that boasts a wide range of business leaders from the area. With representation from the various sectors that make up our membership as well a range of large and small businesses, our Board is well-positioned to help lead Kanata North as a business innovation destination.
Guy Levesque
Guy Levesque has spent the last 20+ years working in the area of research support and innovation, through successive roles at the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the University of Manitoba, the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and the University of Ottawa.
In December 2021, Guy became uOttawa’s inaugural Associate Vice-President, Innovation, Partnerships and Entrepreneurship. From 2007 to 2010 he held the position of Manager of the NSERC-Prairies Regional Office, with the responsibility of developing strategies to facilitate partnerships between universities, colleges, industry, and other government agencies involved in science and innovation. He also spent time as strategic advisor at the University of Manitoba in 2005, and worked for both program directorates at NSERC (research grants and scholarships, and research partnerships). Guy holds a B.Sc. in Geology (magna cum laude), B.Ed. (summa cum laude), and M.Sc. in Geology, all from the University of Ottawa.
Ben Morris
Ben Morris is Vice President of Corporate Development and Technology Strategy at Wesley Clover International. Ben plays a pivotal role to foster meaningful connections between portfolio companies, prospective investors, and clients. His expertise in both the tech industry and investment landscape ensures a win-win situation for all parties involved. With a steadfast focus on tech investing and cultivating fruitful connections, Ben drives positive transformation and propels the growth of cutting-edge tech ventures.
With more than 20 years of advisory, marketing, operational and problem-solving experience, Ben mentors companies from initial founding through to scale up. Ben sits on several company boards, many focused on 5G, ORAN, AI, IoT and Edge technologies. He is also a member of the Algonquin College PAC board of directors, as well as vice-Chair of the Kanata North Business Association representing 550 companies located in Canada’s largest tech park.
"For me, investing in tech is not just about financial returns; it's about creating a thriving ecosystem where innovation can flourish. By connecting visionary entrepreneurs with the right resources, we can drive technological advancements and shape a better future."
Outside of work Ben volunteers as a hockey coach and does his best to keep up with his two boys in various activities and sports.
Tracy King
Bringing more than 20 years of experience in technology B2B marketing, Tracy is responsible for Martello's global channel and corporate marketing, strategic communications and investor relations.
Marcos Cavaletti
Mr. Cavaletti holds a degree in Electronics Engineering, specializing in Telecommunications, from the University of Campinas in Brazil where he was born and raised. Marcos Cavaletti brings more than 37 years of R&D experience within the telecommunications industry and has worked in several countries – Brazil, Canada, China and Sweden. Over the course of his career, Marcos Cavaletti has held various leadership positions and led R&D teams for Telecommunications products and applications. Mr. Cavaletti joined Ericsson in 2010, as part of the acquisition of CDMA business from Nortel Networks. In Ericsson, Marcos has held positions as Head of Product Development Unit CDMA Access, Wi-Fi and Indoor Solutions before current role.
John Wall
John is responsible for the planning, design, and development of QNX Software Systems (embedded software) and Certicom (cryptography applications). John has been an integral member of the BlackBerry QNX team since 1993. He has held a variety of roles within the organization, including Vice President of Engineering and Services. He holds a Bachelor’s of Engineering, in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Carleton University in Ottawa.
Cathy Curry
Cathy was appointed to Ottawa City Council, to represent Ward 4 (Kanata North) on November 10, 2021 and then elected by Ward 4 on October 24, 2022. Cathy was raised in Scarborough, Ontario and summered with her family in Carmanville, Newfoundland. Moving to Kanata in 1992, as a high school teacher, Cathy taught English Literature at Sir Guy Carleton SS, Sir Robert Borden SS, A.Y. Jackson SS and West Carleton SS. While raising her four children, Cathy represented the Kanata community as a school council chair, Kanata Inter-School Council Chair, School Board Trustee and Chair of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. Since 2016, Cathy has been a member of the Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre Board, the CHEO Board, the Ronald McDonald House Board, and Chair of the Ontario Centre of Excellence for Children and Youth Mental Health Strategic Advisory Committee. Cathy also served on the Ottawa Community Foundation’s Grants Committee, the Caldwell Family Centre Board, and the Ottawa Fusion Volleyball Board. At home, Cathy plays the piano and the guitar, and plays French horn in the Concert Band of Kanata. Cathy has a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature and a Master of Science in Education. Cathy is currently working on her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology.
