Guelph’s Talent Grab: Find the perfect blend of a
Fortune 500 company and an exciting start-up

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System1 open fifth global location in Guelph Ontario

Digital customer acquisition marketing company System1 has opened a new office in Guelph that allows it to continue its growth trajectory.

“We find this is a talent hotbed,” says Brent Drewry, senior vice-president of publishing. “We need smart, talented people and we have great relationships with the University of Guelph and the University of Waterloo.”

Los Angeles-headquartered System1 is a leading customer acquisition company. The company’s RAMP marketing platform attracts high-intent users and delivers them to advertisers and to System1’s own consumer subscription products.

System1 owns over 40 internet properties, including MapQuest, HowStuffWorks, Startpage and Info.com, that generate over 175 million monthly visitors. In just under 10 years, System1 has grown into a 500-employee company with five locations worldwide. The company went public on the New York Stock Exchange in January of this year and is projected to generate over $900 million in revenue in 2022.

The company arrived in Guelph in 2017, with the acquisition of Qool Media, and acquired Concourse Media in 2019. System1 now employs 70 people in Guelph and its new facility within the city’s Junction allows that to double.

“We’ve modelled our office on our other System1 locations as well as other tech companies by building an exceedingly productive but fun workspace,” says Drewry. “It’s a fantastic office environment for our existing employees and new recruits.”

The Junction features repurposed rail buildings alongside new builds and includes a co-working space, a popular brewpub, private offices and public spaces.

“It is a state-of-the-art building in a funky location that really has a buzz around it,” says economic development officer Peter Minkiewicz.

The technology sector is a priority for Guelph.

System1 is doing great things in Guelph and that is opening the eyes of other companies to the advantages offered here.”

“It’s great to see Guelph emerge as a tech hub. Talent is coming here. I’ve talked to a lot of people who came to the city for school and stayed because it’s such a great place to live. I always tell people that System1 is the perfect blend of a Fortune 500 company and an exciting start-up, says Drewry who is a Guelph native.


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