Hamilton, ON (July 29, 2026) – Today, Minister Fedeli announced an overall $21 million combined investment to support 15 companies as they develop, test, and commercialize next-generation automotive and mobility solutions in Ontario.
Through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network’s (OVIN) R&D Partnership Fund, the province is investing nearly $5 million and leveraging an additional $16 million in private-sector partner contributions to accelerate the development and commercialization of made-in-Ontario automotive and mobility technologies.
Together, these investments are aimed at securing the future of the province’s automotive and mobility sector by supporting the development and commercialization of innovative technologies that strengthen Ontario’s supply chain, enhance competitiveness, and create good-paying jobs across the province.
Delivered by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), these investments bring together Ontario-based small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and industry partners to accelerate the path to market for promising technologies being developed in Ontario, while helping build a stronger, more resilient automotive and mobility supply chain in the province. At a time when global market conditions continue to evolve, strengthening Ontario’s capacity to develop and scale made-in-Ontario solutions will be critical to maintaining the sector’s long-term competitiveness.
By investing in homegrown innovation and leveraging partner contributions, Ontario is helping local companies advance technologies with real commercial potential, from electrification and EV charging to smart infrastructure, logistics, advanced manufacturing, and connected vehicle solutions. These collaborations not only support the growth of Ontario companies but also reinforce the broader automotive and mobility ecosystem by connecting emerging technologies with strategic partners and end users.
Through OVIN, Ontario continues to reinforce its position as a global hub for automotive and mobility innovation by supporting the commercialization of technologies that will shape the future of transportation and strengthen the supply chains behind it.
Quick Facts
- 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.
- The OVIN R&D Partnership Fund provides co-investment for SMEs and facilitates strategic partnerships to develop, test, validate, demonstrate, and commercialize automotive and smart mobility technologies and solutions.
- Through this latest round of funding, 15 Ontario companies are receiving a total of over $21 million, including over $16 million from partners and nearly $5 million from the province through OVIN.
- Ontario’s automotive and mobility sector is one of North America’s most productive and diverse, including hundreds of parts manufacturers, tool, die, and mold makers, and connected, autonomous, electric vehicle and mobility startups.
Quotes
“Ontario is building a more competitive and resilient economy by helping companies grow, scale, and create good-paying jobs for our world-class workers. By supporting partnerships between industry trailblazers and SMEs, we’re accelerating the commercialization of made-in-Ontario technologies, strengthening our supply chains, and reinforcing our province’s position as a global leader in automotive and mobility innovation.”
– Hon. Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
“Ontario’s continued leadership in automotive and mobility innovation is built on the strength of collaboration. By bringing together innovative SMEs, industry partners, researchers, and government, OVIN is creating the conditions for made-in-Ontario technologies to move from concept to commercialization faster. These investments are helping build a more resilient, competitive automotive ecosystem—one that creates high-value jobs, attracts investment, and ensures Ontario remains a global leader in the future of mobility.”
– Claudia Krywiak, President & CEO, Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)
“Ontario’s automotive and mobility sector continues to demonstrate the innovation, talent and ambition needed to lead in a rapidly evolving global market. Through OVIN, we are helping Ontario companies accelerate the development of transformative technologies, strengthen strategic partnerships, and bring made-in-Ontario solutions closer to commercialization. Investments like these play an important role in reinforcing Ontario’s supply chain and ensuring the province remains competitive in the industries of the future.”
– Raed Kadri, Vice-President, Strategic Initiatives and Business Development, OCI and Head of OVIN
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: https://www.ovinhub.ca
OVIN R&D Partnership Fund List of Recipients:
Aethon Aerial Solutions Inc. (Burlington), partnering with York University, AeroVision Canada, and SpatialData.AI, is developing an EV-integrated inspection platform for electrical distribution asset and urban vegetation management inspections.
Aeroflux (Toronto), working with Alstom, is validating an advanced induction heating system to improve winter rail braking performance for light metro electric vehicles.
AirSuite (Thunder Bay), working with Wisk Air Helicopters, is developing a Ground Management System module within its Cirro software platform for small to medium-sized ground and air operators.
CarbonLume (Kitchener), working with OEM partners including Nanorial, Mercedes-Benz North America, and Targray, is scaling a pilot line to produce battery-grade carbon nanotubes for EV battery materials
ChargeLab (Toronto), through field deployments at Ontario multi-residential properties, is testing a Smart Grid-Edge Controller that enables EV chargers to continue operating reliably during internet outages.
DashCharger Technologies (Markham), partnering with EG Energy Management, is demonstrating a smart Distributed Energy Resource microgrid that integrates solar power, battery storage, and EV charging.
Doodle Labs (Nanoleaf) (Toronto), working with OneRobotics Co. Ltd., is developing and testing the Nanoleaf Smart EV Charger, a connected Type 2 charger for at-home charging with smart home integration, including Matter and Apple EnergyKit.
FleetOptics (Milton),partnering with Nespresso Canada SA, is developing proprietary delivery precision technology to reduce last-mile delivery failures through high-speed in-motion dimensioning, real-time route optimization, and computer vision-based delivery verification.
GreenLIB Materials Inc. (Kingston), partnering with Ocean Partners and working with Kingston Process Metallurgy, is piloting a graphite recovery process for end-of-life lithium-ion batteries.
HYGN Energy (Newmarket), working with Rainbow Concrete and DHT, is demonstrating its HYGN Hydrogen Battery to power a mobile concrete plant and off-grid EV fast-charging station.
Mapleview Energy (Collingwood), alongside CASPRI Ventures Inc., is deploying an AI-enabled energy storage and managed charging system using repurposed electric vehicle batteries to advance farm energy resilience, renewable energy integration, and Ontario’s circular battery economy.
Mappedin (Kitchener-Waterloo), in partnership with the City of Kitchener, is digitizing municipal building floor plans to create interactive indoor maps that support public safety and emergency response.
MesoMat (Hamilton), working with leaders in the tire industry, is developing next-generation tire management hardware and software with predictive analytics for vehicle fleets.
One37 (Toronto), working with a major Ontario police service, is developing a unified mobility and intelligence platform to improve emergency response and fleet readiness.
ReasonX Labs (Ottawa), is advancing SafetyScope, an AI-powered safety assurance platform for autonomous and robotic systems, in partnership with Provectus Robotics Solutions Inc. (a Rheinmetall company).