Toronto, ON — [February 6, 2026] — The Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), led by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), announced an investment of $17.5 million to establish nine Regional Technology Development Sites (RTDS), with $32.8 million in matching industry investment and over $19.3 million from the broader public sector, for a total of over $69.6 million. Leveraging Ontario’s regional strengths and expertise in automotive manufacturing, technology, and critical minerals, the RTDS provides a network for Ontario-based small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to drive the development, testing, and commercialization of automotive and smart mobility solutions across the province.
“Through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network, our government is proud to support the establishment of nine Regional Technology Development Sites that will provide Ontario SMEs with the tools, infrastructure and expertise they need to commercialize made-in-Ontario solutions faster,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “By fostering the conditions for industry, municipalities and academia to collaborate, we will continue to position Ontario at the forefront of automotive and mobility innovation and fuel opportunities for economic growth and investment.”
The nine RTDS locations in Durham, Hamilton, Kingston, Northern Ontario, Ottawa, Simcoe, Waterloo, Windsor-Essex and York, are physical sites that connect post-secondary institutions, regional innovation centres, incubators and accelerators, industry partners, and municipal and regional resources to collaborate and accelerate made-in-Ontario solutions through homegrown companies.
“As a global leader in the automotive and mobility sector, Ontario is driving the transformation towards a connected, electric future,” said Raed Kadri, Head of OVIN. “The OVIN Regional Technology Sites provide Ontario-based SMEs access to an extensive network of support and expertise and reduce barriers for start-ups and companies to create homegrown solutions to meet not only Ontario’s needs, but those of customers all across the globe, to drive our economy forward.”
The RTDS provides SMEs with access to state-of-the-art equipment, hardware, and software, such as the ACE Climatic Wind Tunnel in Oshawa; the Impact Chemistry Advanced Laboratories in Kingston; and NORCAT Underground R&D Mine in Sudbury, while also offering business and technical advisory services to expedite the commercialization of technologies developed at regional sites.
“Through OVIN, Ontario is creating a province-wide network that turns regional innovation into real economic impact,” said Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO of the Ontario Centre of Innovation. “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.”
The nine sites offer opportunities for regional testing and prototyping of technologies and solutions, connecting companies with regional partners to create a pathway for the adoption and deployment of made-in-Ontario technologies to bolster supply chains.
Quotes
“The City of Oshawa and Durham Region are at the forefront of Canada’s mobility transformation, and OVIN’s support for the Durham Region Innovation and Vehicle Ecosystem (DRIVE) is a powerful endorsement of our region’s strengths. By bringing together industry, academia, and government, DRIVE is helping entrepreneurs accelerate innovation in electric and smart mobility, advanced manufacturing, rail, AI, cybersecurity, and micro-mobility—areas where Durham already excels. As major transit, energy, and infrastructure investments reshape how people and goods move through our region, OVIN’s investment ensures our SMEs have access to world-class testing facilities and commercialization support, positioning the City of Oshawa and Durham Region as a leader in next-generation transportation solutions and economic growth.” — Mayor Dan Carter, City of Oshawa (Durham RTDS)
“Our partnership with OVIN and the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade is a cornerstone of our mission at the Centre for Integrated Transportation and Mobility. This renewed funding enables us to deepen our support for the entrepreneurs who are building a cleaner, more connected transportation future. By bridging the gap between emerging innovators and industry leaders, we are not just driving technological advancement—we are driving job creation and long-term economic prosperity in Ontario.” — David Carter, CEO, Innovation Factory (Hamilton RTDS)
“We are very excited to see Kingston join the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) flagship program to drive innovation and investment in eastern Ontario. Together with our technical partners RXN HUB, Impact Chemistry, Kingston Process Metallurgy (KPM) and Kingston Metals & Materials (KMM) and the broader chemical technologies ecosystem, OVIN’s investment in a Regional Technology Development Site demonstrates that the City of Kingston and its regional partners are leaders in advanced materials and clean technologies with the assets, infrastructure and talent to support Ontario companies on their path to commercialization.” — Donna Gillespie, CEO, Invest Kingston (Kingston RTDS)
“OVIN’s support allows Core5 to directly support Northern Ontario SMEs developing BEV and EV technologies by providing access to advanced R&D infrastructure, real-world testing environments, and commercialization support. This investment strengthens the region’s electrification ecosystem and accelerates the path from innovation to market.”
— Brendan Skiffington, Manager, Core5 (Northern Ontario RTDS)
“Ottawa–Eastern Ontario brings a uniquely integrated advantage to Ontario’s innovation economy as a global tech hub, from world-class semiconductors and smart mobility to real-world testing and first-customer adoption. Through our third OVIN RTDS mandate, Invest Ottawa and Area X.O are honoured to build on the impact achieve to date and collaborate with the Government of Ontario, KNBA, and 15 industry, academic, and innovation partners to fuel the full chip-to-roadway journey. Together, we will help companies accelerate technology commercialization, growth, and success in critical sectors, and get to market faster, safer, and with greater global competitiveness. This will strengthen Ontario’s leadership at a pivotal moment and translate breakthrough innovation into jobs, investment, revenue, and long-term economic resilience.” — Sonya Shorey, President and CEO, Invest Ottawa and Area X.O (Ottawa RTDS)
“Simcoe County has a strong and proud history in the automotive sector. The establishment of the Regional Technology Development Site (RTDS) of Simcoe County, Barrie, and Orillia represents a significant opportunity to further strengthen our automotive supply chain, advance made‑in‑Simcoe County technologies, and secure future automotive investments. OVIN’s support is essential as our region helps accelerate innovation and fuel growth across Ontario’s automotive and mobility ecosystem.” — Basil Clarke, Warden, County of Simcoe (Simcoe RTDS)
“OVIN’s investment in CCIN transforms Waterloo Region’s leadership in smart infrastructure into a launchpad for the next generation of mobility technologies. This partnership accelerates our ability to support Ontario-based startups in building, testing, and scaling real-world V2X and I2X solutions, strengthening the province’s position as a global leader in connected, sustainable transportation.” — Amber French, Executive Director, Catalyst Connected Infrastructure Network (CCIN) (Waterloo RTDS)
“OVIN’s investment in the Windsor-Essex RTDS recognizes the region’s unique role at the intersection of mobility, manufacturing, and cross-border trade. Backed by WEtech Alliance’s accelerator resources, programming, industry connections, and 15 years of experience supporting Ontario startups and industry partners, the WE RTDS supports companies at every stage, from building and validating prototypes to forming strategic industry partnerships and prospecting in new markets. Together with OVIN, we are enabling Windsor-Essex to continue its legacy of automotive and mobility innovation while supporting the next generation of technologies shaping Ontario’s mobility future.”
— Yvonne Pilon, President & CEO, WEtech Alliance (Windsor-Essex RTDS)
“As a leading technology hub in Canada and the largest automotive parts and electronic manufacturing cluster, The Regional Municipality of York is well positioned to accelerate the next generation of mobility innovation. Establishing a Regional Technology Development Site in York Region reinforces the quality of talent and innovation across our nine cities and towns and provides businesses with a supportive ecosystem to advance their commercial endeavours, shaping the future of mobility.” — Eric Jolliffe, York Region Chairman and CEO (York RTDS)
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
Media Inquiries
Alicia Pereira, apereira@oc-innovation.ca