Dyson, Toronto, ON

A third of the 2, 950 people at Dyson are engineers or scientists. We started with vacuum cleaners, but we also develop hand dryers, fans and motors – all of which solve a problem long-forgotten (or long-ignored) by other manufacturers. But this is only the start. Now we're searching for the next generation to work on developing future Dyson technologies. People with bright ideas and a healthy dose of frustration. Our chosen charity. It encourages young people to think differently, get their hands dirty and realise their engineering potential. Dyson engineers and scientists spend time in schools and colleges, setting fun, engineering problems – spurring the next generation of inventors into action.