Regional Technology Development Sites
Leveraging Ontario’s clusters of innovation and its regional strengths and capabilities, SMEs can develop, test and prototype their automotive technologies and smart mobility solutions, and tap into specific advice, expertise, and knowledge around key focus areas for the sector.
Overview
As Ontario’s flagship initiative for the automotive and mobility sector, OVIN, the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network, is driving economic development and catalyzing a future that builds safer, cleaner, and more efficient transportation.
The Regional Technology Development Sites (RTDS) support SMEs to develop, test, and prototype their automotive technologies and smart mobility solutions, and tap into specific advice, expertise and knowledge around key focus areas for the sector.
The nine Regional Technology Development Sites (RTDS), are located in Durham Region, Hamilton Region, Kingston Region, Northern Ontario, Ottawa Region, Simcoe County, Waterloo Region, Windsor-Essex, and York Region and carry out the following activities:
- Enable physical sites across the regions that bring together post-secondary institutions; regional innovation centres; incubators and accelerators; municipal and regional resources; industry and other regional collaborators to support SMEs in the development, testing, prototyping, validation and commercialization of automotive technology and smart mobility solutions.
- Provide access to specialized equipment, hardware and software that will reduce the barriers to innovation for start-ups and SMEs in the automotive and mobility sector, including those developing electric vehicle and battery-related technologies.
- Provide business and/or technical advisory services to start-ups and SMEs to assist in the commercialization of technologies developed at the regional sites.
- Support regional testing and piloting of technologies and solutions that will lead to adoption and deployment.
Each regional site focuses on a unique aspect of the automotive and smart mobility sector, such as hardware, security, data analytics and more.
Who can engage?
- Participants (defined as SMEs having fewer than 500 full-time employees) and partners (defined as organizations providing in-kind and/or cash contributions to the project) with operations in Ontario and those who will carry out their projects in the province.
- Typical project activities include technology development, product/service validation, testing, proof of concept and demonstration.
- Participants and respective partners will have the opportunity to be showcased at OVIN events.
Programs and services
Each regional technology development site offers access to physical space, tools and resources, as well as business and technical advisory support.
Contact:
HWright@oshawa.ca
Location:
50 Centre Street South, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 3Z7
Key Areas:
Automotive, Smart Mobility, EV, Research and Development, Micro-mobility, Expertise and Software Specific to Cybersecurity, Rail, AI and Machine Learning
Durham Region
The Durham Region Innovation and Vehicle Ecosystem (DRIVE), led by the City of Oshawa and delivered in partnership with Ontario Tech University, is designed to help mobility-focused SMEs turn ideas into market-ready solutions—faster. Together with the 1855 Accelerator, Brilliant Catalyst, the Region of Durham, and the Town of Whitby, DRIVE connects entrepreneurs to world-class infrastructure, industry expertise, and commercialization support that accelerates growth and de-risks innovation.
As Durham Region undergoes unprecedented expansion—through projects like the Bowmanville GO extension, Highway 401 expansion, Ontario Power Generation’s SMR initiative, and the Alto high-speed rail corridor—new opportunities are emerging to transform how people and goods move. DRIVE puts SMEs at the center of this momentum, offering access to specialized equipment, advanced testing in the ACE Climate Wind Tunnel, funding pathways, and hands-on business and technical advisory support. Industry leaders from Alstom, Protexxa, IlluminexAI, and Scooty further strengthen DRIVE with expertise in rail, cybersecurity, AI, and micro-mobility.
Contact:
stephanie.holko@innovationfactory.ca
Location:
Innovation Factory,
175 Longwood Rd S
Suite B21,
Hamilton, ON
Key Areas:
Electrified vehicle & alternative powertrain technology; electric & hydrogen energy infrastructure; connected & autonomous vehicle systems; smart transportation infrastructure; and transportation-as-a-Service solutions
Hamilton Region
The Centre for Integrated Transportation and Mobility (CITM) provides specialized business and technical support to help start-ups and SMEs develop, validate, and scale connected vehicle and smart infrastructure innovations. Our clients benefit from a unique multimodal focus that spans road, rail, port, and air transportation environments. By joining CITM, companies gain access to a world-class R&D and industry ecosystem, including real-world “living lab” pilot environments, advanced prototyping and material testing facilities, and digital infrastructure resources featuring 5G connectivity, rich telematics data, and specialized AI and software development support. Through our extensive network of academic and industry partners, we help innovators bridge the gap between ideation and commercial success—all at no cost to the innovator.
Contact:
hirstwood@investkingston.ca
Location:
420 – 366 King St. E., Kingston, Ontario, K7K 6Y3
Key Areas:
Chemtech, Critical Mineral, Mining, Energy Storage, EV, Advanced Manufacturing, Semiconductors, Polymers, Alloys
Kingston Region
The Eastern Ontario RTDS in Kingston is Ontario’s first ChemTech‑focused Regional Technology Development Site, powering the advanced materials and clean technology breakthroughs needed for the province’s automotive and manufacturing future. Located in the first Ontario city to declare climate change an emergency, Kingston offers a deep innovation ecosystem anchored by more than 30 research laboratories, 45 Canadian Research Chairs, and over 40,000 students, alongside global leaders in magnet recycling and critical mineral processing such as Cyclic Materials and Ucore. Led by experts at RXN HUB, Kingston Process Metallurgy (KPM), Kingston Metals & Materials (KM&M), and Impact Chemistry, the Eastern Ontario RTDS supports Ontario SMEs developing, piloting, demonstrating, and commercializing technologies across chemistry, critical minerals, energy storage, EV systems, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, polymers, and alloys. With more than 85,000 sq. ft. of lab and commercialization space, and access to the newly renovated, near‑net‑zero 230,000 sq. ft. facility at 945 Princess Street offering coworking areas, turnkey industrial space, and demonstration venues, SMEs gain unparalleled infrastructure and expertise. Through the Eastern Ontario RTDS’s suite of programs, including infrastructure access, technology development and validation, commercialization pathways, advisory services, mentorship, and innovation summits, the Eastern Ontario RTDS provides the resources, talent, and support needed to accelerate materials innovation and drive clean, competitive technologies to market.
Contact:
core5@norcat.org
Location:
NORCAT
1545 Maley Dr,
Sudbury, ON
Key Areas:
Supporting Northern Ontario SMEs, BEV and EV research and development, Critical minerals and materials innovation, Mining and industrial electrification, Technology testing, validation, and demonstration,
Commercialization and scale-up support
Northern Region
Supporting the growth and success of businesses across Northern Ontario, Core5 offers access to the resources, expertise, and infrastructure needed to innovate, test, and commercialize BEV, EV, and related technologies. Companies in both remote communities and urban centres can tap into region-wide capabilities designed to support innovation at every stage of development.
Through a coordinated network of R&D centres, testing facilities, academic institutions, municipalities, and industry partners, Core5 delivers real-world environments for testing, prototyping, and validation. With more than 70,000 square feet of R&D space, access to over 3 kilometres of underground mines for testing and demonstration, state-of-the-art equipment, and 22 industry partners, Core5 provides unmatched opportunities to demonstrate performance and scale solutions. Supported through OVIN’s Northern RTDS, Core5 helps companies reduce risk, accelerate time to market, and bring innovative electrification technologies to life across Northern Ontario.
Contact:
dlee@investottawa.ca
Location:
7 Bayview Station Road, Ottawa, ON, K1Y 2C5
Key Areas:
Research and Development, smart mobility, semiconductor-enabled, and autonomous vehicle and robotic technologies (Ground and Air)
Ottawa Region
Invest Ottawa, economic development agency for Canada’s Capital Region, is honoured to lead the Ottawa–Eastern Ontario Regional Technology Development Site (RTDS) within the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), delivered through Area X.O, the R&D complex for emerging and mission-critical technologies. Building on two successful OVIN tenures, this RTDS leverages Area X.O’s smart mobility testing facilities and evolves into a semiconductor-enabled, end-to-end chip-to-roadway innovation platform for companies.
Leveraging $5.8M and Ottawa’s global tech hub, this RTDS will support 60+ SMEs and help them get to market faster, safely. It will deliver integrated programming spanning technology validation, market readiness, compliance, semiconductor commercialization, and real-world pilot deployments with the City of Ottawa. With strong collaboration across industry, academia, and government, including KNBA and 15 partners, this initiative will unlock $4M in investment, create 200+ high-value jobs, accelerate market adoption, and increase Ontario global competitiveness as leader in semiconductor, smart mobility, connected and autonomous systems.
Contact:
Wendy.Timpano@simcoe.ca
Location:
1110 Hwy 26, Midhurst ON L9X 1N6
Key Areas:
Advanced Virtual and Physical Simulation Testing, Prototyping, EV, CAV, ATV, V2V/V2X, Highly Specific Rugged Terrain and High-Performance Automotive Environments,
Off-Roading Communications and
Technology Performance, Advanced Manufacturing, Mining, Dual-Use Technologies, Defence and Security, Anechoic Chamber, Mechatronics, IP And Commercialization
Simcoe Region
The Regional Technology Development Site (RTDS) of Simcoe County, Barrie and Orillia is one of OVIN’s newest advanced automotive and smart mobility hubs. Led by the County of Simcoe, in partnership with Invest Barrie and the City of Orillia, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are provided access to advanced research and innovation programming, applied research and prototyping support, functional testing environments, accelerator and commercialization programming, and access to municipal infrastructure to accelerate innovation and product development.
Through strong partnerships, the RTDS offers access to unique regional assets, including:
- Oro Station Innovation Park, an automotive innovation hub that provides a rugged terrain track, with other high-performance automotive environments under construction, offering SMEs a place to conduct functional testing and validation of their products, technologies or services in highly specific and controlled environments;
- Georgian College’s Centre of Industrial Simulation and Prototyping (CrISP), Ontario’s first Industry 5.0 sandbox and a designated NSERC Technology Access Centre; and,
- Lakehead University’s Orillia campus, together with the Barrie STEM Hub, providing purpose-built learning spaces focused on engineering and computer science, as well as access to specialized faculty and students to advance industry research and automotive technology developments.
Contact:
amber@catalyst-ventures.co
Location:
137 Glasgow Street, Unit 210, Kitchener, Ontario
Key Areas:
V2X, I2X, Mobility, Autonomous, Smart City, Data Science
Waterloo Region
Catalyst Connected Infrastructure Network (CCIN) accelerates the development, deployment and commercialization of next-generation infrastructure technologies, spanning mobility, energy, data and the built environment. As Ontario’s OVIN-designated RTDS for connected infrastructure, CCIN unites startups, industry leaders, academia and public institutions to build a smarter, more resilient and connected future.
Headquartered at Catalyst Commons in Waterloo, CCIN gives companies access to Ontario’s largest smart mobility testbed, including 500+ connected intersections and 1,200 municipal fleet vehicles equipped with advanced telematics. Through partners like Miovision, Geotab, Communitech and regional municipalities, CCIN provides real-time data, digital twin environments and hands-on commercialization support.
Startups and SMEs can rapidly test, validate, and scale V2X/I2X innovations in real-world conditions, accelerating time to market while tackling urgent challenges like emissions, congestion and safety. With OVIN’s support, CCIN is not just enabling deployment in Waterloo, it’s building the provincial playbook for connected infrastructure innovation.
Contact:
ypilon@wetech-alliance.com
Location:
167 Ferry St. Windsor, Suite 204, Windsor, ON, N9B 3P4
Key Areas:
Technology development and prototyping, testing and validation, simulation and digital tools, connected and intelligent mobility systems, cross-border and trade-enabling technologies, cybersecurity and safety, commercialization and market readiness, access to specialized infrastructure and tools, and ecosystem integration and partnerships
Windsor-Essex
The Windsor-Essex Regional Technology Development Site (WE RTDS), led by WEtech Alliance, is an OVIN-funded hub designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises developing mobility, automotive, and advanced transportation technologies from early validation through commercialization and market entry.
Built on the region’s deep strengths in automotive manufacturing, cross-border trade, multimodal logistics, and applied innovation, the WE RTDS provides SMEs with access to technical expertise, simulation and digital tools, testing and validation environments, and industry-driven partnerships. Companies benefit from hands on programming that reduces technical and market risk while accelerating development and supporting commercial growth.
Through OVIN-aligned pathways, the WE RTDS connects SMEs to specialized infrastructure, real-world data, pilot opportunities, and domestic and international markets, including cross-border partners. The site also fosters collaboration across industry, post-secondary institutions, municipalities, and ecosystem partners, strengthening Ontario’s mobility innovation network and supporting the deployment of scalable, market-ready technologies.
Contact:
Rotha.Seng@york.ca
Location:
17250 Yonge St. Newmarket, ON L3Y 6Z1
Key Areas:
Smart mobility, Transportation, Automotive AI, Hardware & Semiconductor, Enterprise Software & AI, MedTech, Advanced Manufacturing, Automobility, Smart Materials, Light-weighting, Connectivity, Reliability
York Region
The York Region Regional Technology Development Site (RTDS) accelerates commercialization of advanced automotive and smart mobility solutions by linking startups and SMEs to York University, ventureLAB and curated access to real-world assets.
York University anchors early-stage R&D and venture creation through YSpace programs (Smart Mobility Technology Accelerator, Applied Technical Projects), extensive specialized labs (microfabrication, drone and transportation labs) and talent pipelines.
ventureLAB leads later stage hardtech scaling through the Hardware Catalyst Initiative, offering a multimillion-dollar prototyping and testing environment (test stations, RF/EMC chambers, AI compute) plus access to software stacks and hardware components.
York Region leverages partnerships to provide access to infrastructure (transit, YorkNet dark fibre) and other facilities.
With world class industry partners, the York Region RTDS supports SMEs from concept development through laboratory validation and prototyping (TRL 1-7), strengthened by legal/ IP supports, thus facilitating advancement toward technology deployment.