Windsor, Ontario – June 23, 2026 – Windsor-Essex will continue to serve as one of nine Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) Regional Technology Development Site (RTDS), further positioning the region as a key driver of Ontario’s automotive, technology, battery and smart mobility future. This next iteration of the Windsor-Essex RTDS will be led by WEtech Alliance, in partnership with Automate Canada, Automotive Parts Manufacturing Association (APMA), City of Windsor, County of Essex, Global Automotive & Mobility Innovation Challenge (GAMIC), Invest WindsorEssex, St. Clair College, University of Windsor, Wallonia Export-Investment Agency, Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Corporation, and Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce.
The Ontario Government, through OVIN, will invest up to $1.5 million in the Windsor-Essex RTDS, supported by nearly $3.35 million in private sector contributions and $1.75 million in broader public sector supports, for a total commitment of $6.6 million.
Windsor-Essex RTDS will continue to support startups, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), researchers and industry partners in developing, testing and commercializing advanced automotive and mobility technologies across the region.
This initiative will be delivered in collaboration with a strong network of private sector partners, including Elev8 Web Studio, Research Into Internet Systems (RIIS), SimuTech Group, and Windsor Port Authority.
Together, these organizations will support program delivery, industry engagement, business supports, cross-border collaboration, talent development and economic growth, creating new opportunities for companies building the future of mobility in Ontario.
The designation further strengthens Windsor-Essex’s growing reputation as a global hub for automotive innovation, electrification, battery manufacturing and next-generation mobility solutions. With deep roots in automotive manufacturing and a rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem, the region is uniquely positioned to support the development and commercialization of transformative technologies that will shape the future of transportation.
The entire RTDS network, made up of nine sites that span across Durham Region, Hamilton-Halton, Kingston-Eastern Ontario, Northern Ontario, Ottawa Region, Simcoe-Barrie-Orillia, Waterloo Region, Windsor-Essex and York Region, was announced earlier this year by the Honourable Victor Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, is made possible through a $17.5 million investment by the Government of Ontario through OVIN. This investment is supported by $32.8 million in matching industry investment and over $19.3 million from the broader public sector, for a total investment of nearly $70 million.
Through a provincially coordinated approach and leveraging Ontario’s regional strengths and expertise in automotive manufacturing, technology, and critical minerals, the regional technology development sites provide a network for Ontario-based SMEs to drive the development, testing, and commercialization of automotive and smart mobility solutions across the province.
Learn more about the Windsor-Essex RTDS at www.wetech-alliance.com/rtds.
QUOTES:
“As a global leader in the automotive and mobility sector, Ontario is driving the transformation towards a connected, electric future. The OVIN Regional Development Technology Sites provide Ontario-based SMEs access to an extensive network of support and expertise and reduce barriers for startups and companies to create homegrown solutions to meet not only Ontario’s needs, but those of customers across the globe, to drive our economy forward.”
— Raed Kadri, Head of OVIN
“Through OVIN, Ontario is creating a province-wide network that turns regional innovation into real economic impact. By establishing nine Regional Technology Development Sites, we’re giving SMEs access to world-class infrastructure and expertise that helps them commercialize faster, strengthen supply chains, and compete globally. This investment ensures that made-in-Ontario mobility solutions drive jobs, growth, and long-term competitiveness across the province.”
— Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO – OCI
“Windsor-Essex is uniquely positioned to help shape the future of mobility, bringing together world-class automotive and manufacturing expertise, a strategic cross-border location, and a growing innovation ecosystem,” said Yvonne Pilon, President and CEO of WEtech Alliance. “We are proud to build on the strong foundation established by Invest WindsorEssex and our regional partners, whose leadership helped position the region as a key destination for mobility innovation. Through the OVIN Regional Technology Development Site program, we will continue connecting SMEs to the infrastructure, industry expertise, testing environments, and commercialization pathways they need to develop, prototype, validate, and bring next-generation mobility technologies to market faster. Together, we are strengthening Ontario’s innovation economy while creating new opportunities for investment, talent, and economic growth in Windsor-Essex.”
— Yvonne Pilon, President & CEO – WEtech Alliance
“The City of Windsor is the Automotive and Automobility Capital of Canada, and an international gateway between nations. Recognized as one of the most important communities to watch in Ontario and across the country, Windsor and the surrounding region have become synonymous with innovation, growth, evolution, and resilience. Time and again, what draws investors to this area is our highly skilled workforce and our ability to adapt and innovate – whether we’re talking about our role as the beating heart of the EV and clean energy revolution in Canada, how we’re taking everything we know about building cars to manufacture the batteries and energy storage that will keep our cities powered up and connected, or how we’re at the forefront of the grid-scale power infrastructure that will keep cities moving forward at this critical time. This latest significant investment from the province through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network will uncover even greater opportunities for local businesses, while fueling prosperity across our region. WEtech Alliance is an important part of a thriving ecosystem of innovation that includes the City of Windsor and key partners across the education, economic development, cross-border travel and logistics, and small business sectors. Together, we are focused on smart investments as we work to Protect Our Future in Windsor and Ontario. Congratulations to everyone involved.”
— Drew Dilkens, Mayor – City of Windsor
“Windsor-Essex has always been a cutting-edge hub of automotive innovation – where new-school automotive manufacturing is incubated, tried, tested and perfected. That remains the case, maybe more than ever before. No other manufacturing region in North America is reinventing itself as fast, or as successfully, as Windsor-Essex. Our industry leaders and workforce keep proving they are unflappably adaptable, defiantly resilient, and as innovative as any region in Ontario, Canada or North America. Recent history proves it. So when our impactful Regional Innovation Centre WEtech Alliance is selected by the Province of Ontario – and the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network – to lead one of only nine Regional Technology Development Sites in Ontario, well, let’s just say nobody here is surprised!”
— Hilda MacDonald, Warden – Essex County
“This investment is another significant vote of confidence in Windsor-Essex and our growing leadership in automotive innovation, electrification and next-generation mobility technologies. Thank you to the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network, led by the Ontario Centre of Innovation for your continued support of our region. The Windsor-Essex Regional Technology Development Site will help local companies accelerate commercialization, attract new investment, and strengthen the competitive advantage of our region’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem.
We congratulate WEtech Alliance on being selected to lead the Windsor-Essex RTDS. As an organization that has been an integral partner in this initiative from the very beginning, WEtech is well-positioned to build on the strong foundation that has been established and drive this important work forward in collaboration with industry, academia and community partners.
Invest WindsorEssex was proud to serve as the original lead for the Windsor-Essex RTDS and we are pleased to support this next chapter, ensuring that Windsor-Essex remains at the forefront of Ontario’s mobility and advanced manufacturing future.”
– Gordon Orr, Chief Executive Officer – Invest WindsorEssex
“The University of Windsor is delighted to support this investment by OVIN and the Government of Ontario, and we are grateful for their leadership. We are advancing research and technology development in partnership with our SMEs, and this critical infrastructure will help turn ideas into scalable solutions within a thriving innovation ecosystem.”
— Dr. Shanthi Johnson, VP Research and Innovation – University of Windsor
QUOTE FROM ST. CLAIR COLLEGE
“St. Clair College is proud to partner with WEtech Alliance and regional leaders on this important initiative that strengthens Windsor-Essex’s role in shaping the future of mobility. Through the Regional Technology Development Site, we are creating meaningful opportunities for students, researchers and industry to collaborate on cutting-edge automotive and advanced manufacturing technologies. This investment not only accelerates innovation and commercialization in our region but also reinforces our shared commitment to developing the skilled talent and applied solutions needed to drive Ontario’s next generation economy.”
— Michael Silvaggi, M.Ad.Ed., President – St. Clair College
“The addition of the Windsor-Essex Regional Technology Development Site further strengthens an impressive network of OVIN-supported assets and initiatives across our region, including the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel’s designation as an OVIN Technology Pilot Zone. Together, these investments are creating the conditions for innovation to thrive by giving SMEs access to unique testing environments, infrastructure, partnerships, and expertise needed to bring new technologies to market. We look forward to working alongside WEtech Alliance and regional partners to continue building a connected mobility ecosystem that supports commercialization, attracts investment, and creates opportunities for growth. It’s also exciting to see this momentum building in downtown Windsor, where innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration are helping shape the future of our region. We have had the opportunity to test some amazing OVIN projects and look forward to being part of the metamorphosis of Windsor-Essex.”
— Tal Czuner, CEO – Windsor Detroit BorderLink
“This investment is a catalyst for the next phase of economic growth in Windsor–Essex. It enables our businesses to evolve, diversify, and take the next step in developing innovative solutions for a rapidly changing mobility sector. By creating the conditions for companies to explore new ideas, commercialize innovation, and scale locally, we are strengthening our workforce, reinforcing our supply chain, and positioning our region at the forefront of Ontario’s next iteration of automotive and advanced mobility leadership.”
— Ryan Donnelly, President & CEO – Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce
“WEtech Alliance’s selection to lead the Windsor-Essex RTDS is well-earned, and a real win for the region. SimuTech has seen firsthand how local companies can use simulation technology to move from idea to commercialization faster. WEtech Alliance’s designation, backed by OVIN, will only accelerate growth. We’re proud to help power Windsor-Essex’s next generation of mobility and advanced manufacturing innovation.”
— Alison Recourt, SVP of Sales – SimuTech
About WEtech Alliance
WEtech Alliance is one of seventeen Regional Innovation Centres, funded by the Province of Ontario. We’re a non-profit organization, serving the Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent regions, that provides entrepreneurs and companies with business services, training, IP and commercialization support, mentorship and strategic connections to help bring new ideas to market, scale to the next level and build a dynamic culture and a community of innovation.
WEtech Alliance has served as the catalyst for technology and innovation in the Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent regions since 2011. Learn more at www.wetech-alliance.com.
The WEtech Alliance logo and additional brand assets can be found HERE.
About the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)
The Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) is an initiative of the Government of Ontario, led by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), designed to reinforce Ontario’s position as a North American leader in advanced automotive technology and smart mobility solutions such as connected vehicles, autonomous vehicles and electric and low-carbon vehicle technologies.
Through resources such as research and development (R&D) support, talent and skills development, technology acceleration, business and technical supports, and demonstration grounds, OVIN provides a competitive advantage to Ontario-made automotive and mobility technology companies. For more information, visit https://www.ovinhub.ca.
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Media Contact
Adam Castle – Director of Venture Services & Partnerships, WEtech Alliance
(226) 246-0287
acastle@wetech-alliance.com