Enterprise artificial intelligence developer Cohere announced plans to establish its third Canadian office in Ottawa, placing a physical location near federal decision-makers and policy experts. The new presence targets public sector adoption and defense partnerships as the company builds out its sovereign AI footprint.
Establishing a Physical Presence in the Capital
The new office will be located in Ottawa's Glebe neighborhood, adjacent to Lansdowne Park. It will house nearly 30 regional employees working in go-to-market, engineering, infrastructure, and security roles. Cohere plans to tap into the local workforce and has opened job postings for Ottawa-based forward-deployed engineers.
The Ottawa footprint joins existing Canadian facilities in Toronto and Montréal, alongside international offices in New York, London, and San Francisco. Cohere currently employs more than 800 people globally.
Focusing on Public Sector and Sovereign AI
The move reinforces Cohere's strategic effort to market its technologies as secure, sovereign AI solutions for public sector institutions. The startup previously signed a memorandum of understanding with the Canadian federal government to evaluate artificial intelligence applications across public services.
Cohere has also contracted with Canada's Communications Security Establishment and expanded its visibility in the region by acquiring naming rights to the Capital Exhibition Centre, now named the Cohere Centre. Member of Parliament Yasir Naqvi highlighted the location as a key hub for connecting AI innovators with government policy decision-makers.
Targeting Defense and Government Contracts
Beyond policy engagement, the office positions Cohere to capitalize on Ottawa's growing defense technology sector. The company recently broadened its collaboration with defense firm Thales to deliver agentic AI systems for naval and maritime support within the Canadian Armed Forces.
Establishing a direct base in the capital enables Cohere to work more closely with defense procurement managers and government stakeholders while advancing its enterprise AI capabilities.
AI-generated editorial illustration; not a documentary photograph.
Source: Cohere to open third Canadian office in Ottawa
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