(Waterloo, ON – July 29, 2026) The Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with the University of Waterloo under the OVIN Incubators initiative. This collaboration further strengthens the open innovation platform established by OVIN Incubators, connecting Ontario post-secondary institutions, researchers, and talent with global industry leaders to develop new technologies, and deepening the connection between Ontario’s research community and the province’s automotive and mobility sector, thereby supporting the advancement and commercialization of emerging technologies.
“Ontario’s research excellence is one of our greatest competitive advantages. Partnering with the University of Waterloo, a global leader in engineering, innovation, and entrepreneurship strengthens the bridge between research, industry, and commercialization,” said Raed Kadri, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, Business Development, at the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) and Head of OVIN. “Through OVIN Incubators, we are leveraging Ontario-based talent to build the companies, technologies, and jobs that will define the future of automotive and mobility innovation.”
Since its inception, OVIN Incubators has established a collaborative ecosystem that creates pathways for Ontario researchers, entrepreneurs, and SMEs to work directly with industry leaders on the development, validation, and commercialization of new technologies. By fostering these connections, OVIN Incubators is accelerating the adoption of Ontario-made innovations, helping startups integrate into global automotive supply chains, and supporting the creation of successful, scalable ventures.
To support this work, OVIN launched its New Venture Creation Program in May. The program helps transform research from Ontario’s leading post-secondary institutions into scalable companies, accelerating commercialization and strengthening the province’s automotive and mobility ecosystem.
“This partnership gives Waterloo’s automotive and mobility researchers a direct path to build companies out of their own research without leaving Ontario to do it,” said Dr. Mary Wells, Dean of Engineering at the University of Waterloo. “Our researchers and our students benefit directly, and so does Ontario’s automotive industry, because the technology and the talent behind it can stay and grow here.”
The University of Waterloo, a global leader in science and engineering research, will support the development of new automotive and mobility technologies and the creation of Ontario-based ventures rooted in homegrown intellectual property. Waterloo’s expertise spans mechatronics, battery chemistry, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, robotics, and embedded software, with key research groups such as WatCAR, AVRIL, OBEC, RoboHub, and Waterloo AI contributing to the OVIN Incubators initiative.
“Turning breakthrough automotive and mobility research into globally competitive companies requires a clear path from lab to market,” said Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO of the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI). “Through OVIN Incubators, OCI and the University of Waterloo are helping researchers and entrepreneurs access the expertise, resources, and networks needed to commercialize and scale Ontario-made technologies for global markets.”
OVIN Incubators was launched in October 2024 with the announcement of a groundbreaking partnership between OVIN and Mercedes-Benz. Since then, additional industry and post-secondary partners have joined including Infineon Technologies, Schaeffler, and the Universities of Toronto and Windsor.
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: https://www.ovinhub.ca
About the University of Waterloo
University of Waterloo is a leading global innovation hub that drives economic and social prosperity for Canada and the world. With more than 41,000 students, we are home to the world’s largest co-op education talent pipeline, to game-changing research and technology, and to an unmatched entrepreneurial culture. Together, these create partnerships and solutions to tackle today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. Find out more at uwaterloo.ca.
Media Inquiries: Alicia Pereira, apereira@oc-innovation.ca