Ottawa is once again on the hunt for its fastest growing businesses, and this year's applications are officially open.
Ottawa Business Journal has launched the call for submissions for its annual Fastest Growing Companies program, an initiative that shines a spotlight on the local businesses posting the strongest growth numbers in the region. If your Ottawa company has been on a roll lately, this is your chance to get recognized alongside some of the capital's most dynamic firms.
What the Program Recognizes
The Fastest Growing Companies list has become a fixture for OBJ, tracking which Ottawa-area businesses are scaling fastest year over year. It is not just a feel-good exercise: making the list is a genuine marker of credibility that can help with everything from attracting investors to recruiting new talent in a competitive job market.
For a city that likes to think of itself as more than just a government town, the program is a reminder that Ottawa's private sector, from tech startups in Kanata North to homegrown retail and service businesses, keeps expanding at a healthy clip.
Why It Matters for Ottawa
Ottawa's economy has diversified significantly over the past decade, moving beyond its federal government roots into tech, health sciences, and professional services. Programs like this one give local business owners a public showcase for that growth, while also giving Ottawa residents and the broader business community a snapshot of which sectors are thriving right now.
Past lists have featured a mix of tech firms, professional services companies, and consumer-facing businesses, underscoring just how broad Ottawa's growth story really is. It also gives local entrepreneurs something concrete to aim for: landing on next year's list becomes a goal that can shape hiring plans, marketing pushes, and expansion timelines throughout the year.
How to Apply
Ottawa Business Journal has not published the full eligibility criteria in the initial call, but the program has historically been open to companies of various sizes across sectors, provided they can demonstrate measurable revenue or growth metrics over a set period. Businesses interested in applying should keep an eye on OBJ's website for the full application details, deadlines, and eligibility requirements as they are released.
If your Ottawa business has seen strong growth recently, whether that is in headcount, revenue, or market expansion, this is worth adding to your calendar. Being named among the region's fastest growing companies is the kind of recognition that tends to open doors, both locally and beyond.
Keep checking OBJ's site for updates on submission deadlines and criteria as the 2027 program rolls out.
Source: Ottawa Business Journal
