Brand: Corel

Corel Corporation, founded in 1985 by Michael Cowpland in Ottawa, Ontario, represents a significant Canadian success story in the software industry. The company name is an acronym for “Cowpland Research Laboratory,” reflecting its founder’s technical background and innovative vision. Corel gained prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s with the release of CorelDRAW, a groundbreaking graphics software that challenged Adobe’s dominance in the design software market.

The company experienced rapid growth through the 1990s, becoming one of Canada’s largest technology companies and a global leader in graphics software. Corel expanded its product portfolio through both internal development and strategic acquisitions, including WordPerfect (acquired in 1996), which was once the world’s leading word processing software. The company also developed innovative products like Corel Video Studio, Painter, and PHOTO-PAINT, establishing itself as a major player in creative software solutions.

As one of Ottawa’s largest tech employers during the 1990s tech boom, Corel played a crucial role in establishing Canada’s reputation in the global software industry. The company’s success helped create a thriving technology ecosystem in Ottawa, often referred to as “Silicon Valley North” during that period.

Notable: Despite changes in ownership, Corel maintains significant operations in Canada and continues to develop many of its flagship products there. The company’s history represents an important chapter in Canadian technology innovation, particularly in graphics and productivity software development.

Today, while under international ownership, Corel continues to develop and market popular software products used by millions worldwide, maintaining its position as a significant player in the creative software industry. The company’s legacy as a Canadian tech pioneer remains an important part of its identity and Canada’s technology history.

Founded: Canada
Owned: United States; KKR (American investment firm, since 2019)
Operations: Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, with offices worldwide