If you have established testing capabilities in Ontario in one of the 4 CIT sectors or 6 critical technologies and will provide open access to Ontario SMEs to test/validate and showcase their products, contact the Director of Strategic Programs to discuss being added as a Technology Development Site.

The integration of critical technologies is the global future of industry. Through the Critical Industrial Technologies initiative Ontario industry will converge with innovative SMEs to amplify Ontario’s rich critical technology capabilities and propel four key sectors of Ontario’s economy to the forefront of this transformation.

Technology Access Program (TAP)Eligible SMEs can access a Technology Development Site to integrate, develop, test, and showcase their critical technologies solution.

Talent Development Internships (TDI)Eligible SMEs can invest in critical technology internships to bring on new, young talent to create the industrial workforce of tomorrow.

Development and Commercialization Program (DC)Eligible SMEs can access a Technology Development Site to integrate, develop, test, and showcase their critical technologies solution with $50-200k of support from OCI.

The Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) maximizes the commercial impact of research developed in Ontario’s colleges, universities, and research hospitals, and accelerates the commercialization of Made-in-Ontario intellectual property and technologies.

The Critical Industrial Technologies initiative will support Ontario SMEs to develop new IP faster and at a greater scale for the benefit of the province and beyond. By also investing in talent development to advance the knowledge and training of critical technologies, Ontarians are poised as leaders in the global industrial economy to tackle the dynamic future.

Ideal for: Industry leaders seeking to collaborate on province-wide innovations that move the needle on critical technology challenges across the four key sectors.

Technology Development Sites (TDS) are where SMEs can come to develop, test, and showcase their critical technology products and services, so they can hit the market faster. The TDS list is always growing, reflecting the unlimited potential of technology leaders in Ontario.

The initiative will bring together key stakeholders at all levels to build an ecosystem that connects large companies and industry needs with SME solutions.

Future Ready Program (FR)Expert support for eligible SMEs to adopt new critical technologies through upskilling/reskilling staff.

New IP and innovative solutions will be developed by leveraging Ontario’s existing resources (testing sites, assets, tools, and regional capabilities) to integrate critical technologies within and between sectors

Ideal for: SMEs interested in adopting, integrating, or demonstrating critical technologies and developing new IP-rich products and services.

The Critical Industrial Technologies Initiative has a series of programs to drive the commercialization and adoption of critical technologies in the mining, advanced manufacturing, construction and agri-food sectors.

Driving the commercialization and adoption of critical technologies to advance Ontario’s mining, advanced manufacturing, construction, and agri-food sectors.

Addressing significant challenges in the sector and/or critical technology, the Sector Adoption Program will support a consortium of partners working together to address a set challenge statement and catalyze impactful change for the whole sector. Up to $1 million available for a multi- partner consortium with a minimum of 1 SME.

As part of the CIT program, OCI has partnered with these organizations to extend these capabilities for SMEs to utilize and integrate learnings, assets, and/or new IP into their product/service suites.

Ideal for: Growing SMEs invested in modernizing their workforce to thrive in the dynamic future of critical technologies.

TDSs are established by industry incumbents, vendors, and associations in their respective technology and/or sector domains and have made significant investments into their next generation infrastructure, platforms, and equipment.

Ideal for: SMEs interested in adopting, integrating, or demonstrating critical technologies and developing new IP-rich products and services.