Tony LaMantia (BA ’87) is the president and CEO of Waterloo EDC (Financial Growth Company). His spectacular 30-year profession spans the general public sector, IT, mining and funding industries and he attributes his skilled trajectory to a transformative expertise supplied by the College of Waterloo’s distinctive experiential and co-operative schooling.
“The co-op program was absolutely transformative,” LaMantia says, reflecting on his years as an Arts and Enterprise pupil which included co-op phrases at Kimberly-Clark and IBM. “These experiences were not just stepping stones. They were part of my educational journey and gave me skills to navigate different fields, ranging from public policy to financial services and technology sales.”
LaMantia’s expertise with co-op is like many Waterloo college students. Waterloo’s co-op program results in higher employment outcomes for college students. Along with a better employment degree after graduating than the Ontario common, 82 per cent of Waterloo co-op grads earn an annual wage of greater than $50,000 two years after graduating in comparison with 45 per cent of Ontario graduates.
“The University is central to our strategy for driving economic development, not just locally but on a global scale,” LaMantia says, elaborating on how Waterloo EDC communicates the area’s worth proposition to worldwide companies which can be contemplating enlargement.
“We’ve created a unique ecosystem here — one that brings together innovative institutions, multinational companies, startups and a talent pipeline that’s largely fueled by Waterloo’s co-op program,” he says. “This ecosystem facilitates the seamless flow of knowledge and technology across education, research and business – something that not many other locations can claim.”
Native improvements with world impacts
LaMantia attracts consideration to native success tales like autonomous robotics firm OTTO Motors, and med-tech startup, Intellijoint, specializing in {hardware} and software program to remodel hip and knee replacements. These corporations, began by Waterloo alumni, underscore the College’s position in nurturing expertise that continues to push technological boundaries and ship options that form a brighter future.
“The University attracts entrepreneurs and global corporations alike, drawn here by leading research. Bosch, for example, came to the region because of the various advanced manufacturing labs at Waterloo and experts like [professor] Sebastian Fischmeister, who specializes in the security and performance of critical systems,” LaMantia factors out.
The College is positioned on the forefront of innovation inside the Toronto-Waterloo Hall — North America’s most intensive tech cluster — and is a hub for transformational analysis and impressed studying. This prominence not solely enhances Waterloo’s popularity but in addition demonstrates its capacity to attract world investments to the area, affirming the College’s integral position within the world tech trade.
The financial ripple impact
Past technological innovation, the College of Waterloo contributes to the regional economic system by its dynamic and numerous educational surroundings.
Tony LaMantia being interviewed at The Tannery Constructing, throughout from Innovation Area, the brand new house of Velocity.
“This is a matter of mobilizing our collective strengths, of enhancing our global visibility and cutting through the clutter,” LaMantia says, sharing how Waterloo EDC leverages the College’s popularity to draw companies and expertise to the area.
The financial ripple impact of the College can be evident in its capacity to attract and retain expertise within the area. Velocity, the College of Waterloo’s startup incubator has supported greater than 400 corporations which boast an astounding collective enterprise worth of $36 billion and 1000’s of jobs created.
“Through the comprehensive co-op program, supportive entrepreneurship ecosystem and leading research initiatives — the University has cultivated fertile ground not only for startups but also for established industries,” LaMantia says. “This synergy is creating an environment that’s perfectly primed for economic growth and innovation.”
The College of Waterloo is rising a community of worldwide partnerships that can form the long run by working with trade, establishments and communities. Waterloo’s partnerships infuse analysis options into sectors essential for financial development and innovation, which is why 34 per cent of its analysis funding is a results of company collaborations.
Challenges and alternatives forward
By 2050, the Area of Waterloo is on monitor to achieve a inhabitants milestone, climbing to at least one million folks. LaMantia is optimistic in regards to the area’s prospects and believes there are alternatives to construct an much more sturdy and affluent tomorrow.
“We need to invest in our institutions. Businesses, particularly startups and scale-ups, depend on the intellectual property expertise and skilled graduates that universities like Waterloo provide,” LaMantia stresses. “By investing in universities, we’re also investing in the future of our economy.”
He emphasizes the position of the College as greater than an academic powerhouse. “It is a driving pressure in our financial framework, sparking progress and innovation throughout the board.”
LaMantia additionally urges cultivating a dynamic and inclusive group. “To fuel continued growth and attract skilled workers, we must ensure that we have affordable housing, that we are building an accessible modern city and that we’re investing in the social infrastructure essential for thriving communities that are built for all.”
