Startup tech occupiers in Montreal typically cluster in Mile-Ex & Marconi, plan ~130 sqft per seat at mid fit-out ($95–140/sqft), and pay around 38 CAD/sqft ($28 USD) on Class A.

• Preferred submarket: Mile-Ex & Marconi.
• Typical fit-out spec: Mid ($95–140/sqft).
• Plan ~130 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
• Class A rent context: 38 CAD/sqft ($28 USD).
• Typical lease: 10 years with 12 months rent-free.
• Talent depth in Montreal: 86/100.

TL;DR

• Preferred submarket: Mile-Ex & Marconi.
• Typical fit-out spec: Mid ($95–140/sqft).
• Plan ~130 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
• Class A rent context: 38 CAD/sqft ($28 USD).
• Typical lease: 10 years with 12 months rent-free.
• Talent depth in Montreal: 86/100.

Where they cluster

Startup tech occupiers in Montreal typically anchor in Mile-Ex & Marconi. AI research, tech, creative agencies, video games.

What they pay

Class A rent in Montreal runs 38 CAD/sqft ($28 USD) on a 10-year lease with 12 months free. Prime submarkets sit at or modestly above the city index.

Spec and fit-out

Typical startup tech fit-out targets mid specification at $95–140/sqft. Functional Cat-B with branded reception and standard meeting-room mix is standard.

Headcount sizing

Plan around 130 sqft per seat blended (workstation + circulation + amenity). A 100-headcount startups office in Montreal typically targets 13,000 sqft of leasable area.

Talent angle

Series B–D scale-ups prioritize flexibility and signature loft stock to attract engineering talent away from incumbents. Deepest French-English bilingual professional talent in North America. Structural AI research cluster (Yoshua Bengio at MILA, Element AI alumni). Strong aerospace, video games, and creative industries talent.

Tax and lease context

Headline corporate tax: 26.5%. Net leases (tenant pays opex separately). 10-year terms standard. Free rent of 10-14 months and TI of C$60-$100/sqft typical on a 10-year Class A deal.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Where do startup tech occupiers lease office space in Montreal?

Most cluster in Mile-Ex & Marconi. Rent runs ~38 CAD/sqft ($28 USD) for trophy and prime stock.

What fit-out spec do startup tech occupiers run in Montreal?

Typically mid at $95–140/sqft.

How much office space per seat should a startup tech occupier plan in Montreal?

Plan ~130 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 13,000 sqft.

What NAICS codes describe the startup tech vertical?

Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 541511, 541512, 518210.

What is the talent index in Montreal?

86/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

Related

• Startup tech — global overview
• Montreal — full city profile
• Financial services in Montreal
• Asset management in Montreal
• Investment banking in Montreal
• Legal services in Montreal

Editorial provenance

Reviewed by Miriam Hollander — Lead market analyst. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.

Primary sources for this page

• CBRE Marketview reports — CBRE
• JLL Office Insight — JLL
• Cushman & Wakefield Marketbeat — Cushman & Wakefield
• Savills World Research — Savills
• Colliers Global Office Outlook — Colliers

Full sources index · Submit a correction

Related topics

• Class A Lease Negotiation — How to negotiate a Class A office lease — the playbook from LOI to signed deal.
• Hybrid Workplace Strategy — How to size, structure, and lease a Class A office for a hybrid workforce.
• ESG / LEED for Tenants — How tenants evaluate, negotiate, and report on ESG performance in a Class A office lease.
• Cross-border Expansion — How to run a coordinated Class A office search across multiple geographies.
• Fit-out Capex — How to budget, sequence, and govern Class A office fit-out capex.
• Lease vs Flex — When premium flex (coworking, managed office) beats a conventional Class A lease — and vice versa.