Windsor-Essex will keep serving as an Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network Regional Development Site.
The province is backing the three-year partnership with WEtech Alliance through a $1.5 million investment.
OVIN’s goal is to encourage innovation in areas like advanced automotive technologies, electrification, battery manufacturing, and smart mobility solutions.
“Really, to bring together all of the resources across the community to help support small to medium-sized enterprises, would-be entrepreneurs, start-ups, to move to the next stage of commercialization of their technology,” said Raed Kadri, Head of OVIN.
WEtech Alliance will collaborate with Automate Canada, Automotive Parts Manufacturing Association (APMA), City of Windsor, County of Essex, Global Automotive & Mobility Innovation Challenge (GAMIC), Invest Windsor Essex, St. Clair College, University of Windsor, Wallonia Export-Investment Agency, Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Corporation, and Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce to build partnerships and create connections.
“We really want to work across the spectrum of folks that are in that idea phase and looking to start something and getting into the space, but also how do we get in touch with the industry that we know is facing challenges, but right now they’re finding solutions outside of the region,” said Adam Castle, Director of Venture Services & Partnerships with WEtech. “A big part of this is making sure that made in Canada solutions is coming back to our industry and that they’re spending on innovation that was made right here.”
Other private sector partners will add $3.35 million, while public sector support from local municipalities and educational institutions has pledged an extra $1.75 million for a total of $6.6 million to run the site until 2029.
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