SAP Invests in Waterloo with Multi-Million Dollar Expansion

SAP is a German software firm on the forefront of innovation and digital technologies and back in 2004, SAP became the first tenant of the R+T Park. Now SAP is further investing in their partnership with the University of Waterloo, beginning with a multi-million dollar renovation to modernize their space and expand their workforce. 

SAP came to Waterloo through the acquisition of what was formerly Watcom. Watcom was founded in 1981 by University of Waterloo Professor Wes Graham and one of his students, Ian McPhee. Watcom was created to commercialize their research on WATFOR, an implementation of the Fortran computing. They were later joined by Fred Crigger and Jack Schueler, who were also members of Graham’s Computer Systems Group at the University of Waterloo. Many of those who were part of Watcom are still part of the Waterloo community, including Jack Schueler, who is still with SAP today.

The transformation of SAP Labs in Waterloo will bring investment in key growth areas pertaining to tech and allow them to recruit new calibres of talent. SAP plans to grow to 100,000 employees globally by the end of 2019, whilst simultaneously creating jobs here in Waterloo. Many of these new jobs are in the IoT Edge and SAP HANA database teams. SAP Waterloo is looking for smart software developers and technical talent to help invent the next generation of in-memory cloud database server and IoT Edge technology tools.

SAP has created one of the world’s most innovative workplace cultures, proven through all of their efforts by and for their employees. SAP Canada has been consistently recognized with employer awards including:

• Great Place to Work in Canada 
• Canada’s Top 100 Employers
• Canada’s Greenest Employers
• Canada’s Top Employers for Young People
• Best Workplaces for Mental Wellness
• Best Workplaces for Giving Back
• Best Workplaces for Inclusion

SAP has roots here in Waterloo, some of which have come to help define Waterloo Region as one of the leading technology ecosystems in the world. They give back to the community, are the top employer of co-op students in the R+T Park, and they recruit people who are deeply passionate and intelligent enabling them to develop global solutions that actually matter and make a difference. For those reasons and many more, the R+T Park is ecstatic that SAP has chosen to invest in our community. 

“The reason I believe SAP is the world’s leader in digital innovation is because only people who care deeply are able to change the world.”

Mike Pereira, Manager, Business Development of the David Johnston Research + Technology Park.