Backblaze Launches New Data Center in Canada, Now Open for Business

January 07, 2025 at 09:15 AM EST

Backblaze, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLZE), the cloud storage innovator providing a modern alternative to traditional cloud providers, today announced the opening of a new data region in Canada. Located in Toronto, Ontario, the new Canada East (CA East) region marks a significant milestone in its mission to deliver high-performance, compliant, and cost-effective cloud storage solutions to businesses worldwide.

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Backblaze's Canada East data region is now open for business. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Canada's cloud services market is expanding rapidly, driven by increased demand from industries such as healthcare, finance, and government—all of which often require data to remain within national borders. The market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 20% in the coming years, creating significant opportunities for providers who can meet strict data sovereignty requirements. The new facility was selected to address the performance and specific data sovereignty needs of Canadian businesses and organizations. With this expansion, Backblaze helps customers ensure compliance with local regulations while offering a comprehensive cloud solution that prioritizes data sovereignty and performance.

“Data sovereignty and compliance are increasingly critical for businesses in Canada,” said Gleb Budman, CEO of Backblaze. “By establishing a physical presence in the region, we're not only meeting regulatory requirements, but also building trust with customers who need specialized cloud storage at a fraction of the cost of what large hyperscalers offer. Having a local region enables us to provide faster, more reliable services to our Canadian customers.”

To further strengthen its Canadian market presence, Backblaze has partnered with Opti9 Technologies, an international leader in hybrid cloud solutions and Canada’s largest, award winning Veeam Cloud Service Provider (VCSP), as the exclusive Canadian channel for Backblaze B2 Reserve and the Powered by Backblaze program. Opti9 will play a crucial role in bringing these enhanced offerings to market.

“Opti9 and Backblaze share a unified vision of providing Canadian businesses and organizations with cutting-edge cloud solutions that are both affordable and high performing,” said Cory Mac Donell, Vice President of Sales & Business Development at Opti9. “Cloud data storage is evolving rapidly to meet changing customer needs. We are excited to launch this Canadian storage region in collaboration with Backblaze, which expands our overall cloud storage footprint in Canada. This partnership equips our Canadian partners and end-user organizations with the tools they need to thrive in today’s fast-evolving digital landscape.”

Backblaze’s offerings provide the flexibility and control businesses need while still benefiting from the security, compliance, and performance of a local region. This expansion aligns with the growing trend toward multi-cloud and hybrid cloud strategies as businesses increasingly seek open, interoperable solutions that avoid vendor lock-in and allow them to integrate the best services from multiple providers.

About Backblaze

Backblaze is the cloud storage innovator providing a modern alternative to traditional cloud providers. We deliver high-performance, secure cloud object storage that customers use to develop applications, manage media, secure backups, build AI workflows, protect from ransomware and more. Backblaze helps businesses break free from the walled gardens that traditional providers lock customers into, enabling them to use their data in open cloud workflows with the providers they prefer at a fraction of the cost. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, Backblaze (NASDAQ: BLZE) was founded in 2007 and serves over 500,000 customers in 175 countries around the world. For more information, please go to www.backblaze.com.