Through the Critical Industrial Technologies initiative Ontario industry will converge with innovative SMEs to amplify Ontario’s rich critical technology capabilities and propel four key sectors of Ontario’s economy to the forefront of this transformation.

Four key sectors:

  • Mining
  • Advanced Manufacturing (non-auto)
  • Agri-Food
  • Construction

Critical technology areas:

  • 5G & advanced networks
  • AI
  • Blockchain
  • Robotics
  • Cybersecurity
  • Quantum

The Critical Industrial Technologies (CIT) initiative will support Ontario SMEs to develop new IP faster and at a greater scale for the benefit of the province and beyond. The Critical Industrial Technologies initiative is a Government of Ontario initiative led by OCI.

Goal of the CIT Initiative

The initiative will bring together key stakeholders at all levels to build an ecosystem that connects large companies and industry needs with SME solutions.

The initiative is committed to achieving the following 4 goals:

  • Building an Ontario critical technology ecosystem that propels Ontario’s mining, advanced manufacturing, construction, and agri-food sectors forward to be leaders in the global economy.
  • Supporting critical technology education and awareness to help SMEs understand the benefits of creating, commercializing, and adopting critical technologies.
  • Accelerating the growth of Ontario companies through the development and commercialization of Made-in-Ontario technologies and expanding critical technology talent.
  • Fueling significant advances within and between the four sectors by supporting the adoption, demonstration and integration of critical technologies.

Technology Development Sites

Technology Development Sites (TDS) are where SMEs can come to develop, test, and showcase their critical technology products and services, so they can hit the market faster.

TDSs are established by industry incumbents, vendors, and associations in their respective technology and/or sector domains. As part of the CIT program, OCI has partnered with these organizations to extend these capabilities for SMEs to utilize and integrate learnings, assets, and/or new IP into their product/service suites.

Small-and-Medium-Sized-Enterprises (SMEs) can access a Technology Development Site by:

  • Contacting the Critical Industrial Technologies team to apply for access
  • Applying to the Development and Commercialization Program for Technology Development Site Access with funding support for your project

CIT Programs

The Critical Industrial Technologies Initiative has a series of programs to drive the commercialization and adoption of critical technologies in the mining, advanced manufacturing, construction and agri- food sectors.

1. Development and Commercialization Program (DC)

Eligible SMEs can access a Technology Development Site to integrate, develop, test, and showcase their critical technologies solution with $50-200k of support from OCI.

Amount

Reimbursement of 50% of total eligible project costs, up to a maximum of $200,000, with a minimum of $50,000.

Eligibility requirements: 

  • A small- and medium- sized enterprise (SME) with fewer than 500 global full-time employees.
  • Must have registered operations (R&D, manufacturing, product management, etc.) in Ontario and a valid CRA business number.
  • Applicants who have received over $500,000 of funding from OCI administered programs in their lifetime (excluding TalentEdge) are required to obtain OCI approval before a new application for funding is initiated. Your Business Development Manager can guide you through the process.
  • Has the intent and potential to apply, exploit and/or commercialize the results of the project for the economic benefit of Ontario.
  • Has the necessary expertise and resources to put the project into effect within an appropriate time frame.
  • In good financial and reporting standing with OCI.
  • Adoption of critical technologies is part of their long-term product roadmap.

2. Technology Access Program (TA)

Eligible SMEs can access a Technology Development Site to integrate, develop, test, and showcase their critical technologies solution.

Eligibility requirements: 

  • A small- and medium- sized enterprise (SME) with fewer than 500 global full-time employees.
  • Must have registered operations (R&D, manufacturing, product management, etc.) in Ontario and a valid CRA business number.
  • Has the intent and potential to apply, exploit and/or commercialize the results of the project for the economic benefit of Ontario.
  • Has the necessary expertise and resources to put the project into effect within an appropriate time frame.
  • In good financial and reporting standing with OCI.
  • Adoption of critical technologies is part of their long-term product roadmap

3. Sector Adoption Program (SA)

Sector Adoption Program supports a consortium of partners working together to address a set challenge statement and catalyze impactful change for the whole sector. Up to $1 million available for a multi- partner consortium with a minimum of 1 SME.

Amount

Reimbursement of one-third (maximum) of total eligible project costs, up to $1,000,000.

Eligibility requirements: 

  • A small- and medium- sized enterprise (SME) with fewer than 500 global full-time employees.
  • Must have registered operations (R&D, manufacturing, product management, etc.) in Ontario and a valid CRA business number.
  • Applicants who have received over $500,000 of funding from OCI administered programs in their lifetime (excluding TalentEdge) are required to obtain OCI approval before a new application for funding is initiated. Your Business Development Manager can guide you through the process.
  • The applicant must have a validated, innovative product/service or technology that can be a solution to the SA Challenge for which they are applying.
  • The Applicant is a co-signatory to the Funding Agreement.
  • Additional Applicant eligibility requirements may vary by Challenge Statement.

4. Talent Development Program (TD)

Eligible SMEs can invest in critical technology training and support for employees.

Steam 1: Internships for new, young talent creating the workforce of tomorrow

Stream 2: Upskilling/reskilling existing employees for the challenges of today

Amount

$10,000 per unit (fixed 4-month period) for eligible project costs, up to maximum of $20,000 (two units – fixed 8-month period).

Eligibility requirements: 

  • Undergraduate level:
    • Recent graduates from an undergraduate program from an accredited College/University (within three years of graduation).
  •  Graduate level:
    • Recent Masters graduates from an accredited College/University (within three years of graduation).
  •  The intern must be eligible to work in Ontario (anOntario resident) and have employee status at the company for the duration of the internship.
  • Consecutive internships may be held with a maximum of two units.
  • The intern may not apply with a company where there is any conflict of interest, including, but not limited to, a company where the intern or relatives have any control as a major creditor or shareholder or governing board member.
  • Interns may not apply if they are currently enrolled in a co-op program or other equivalent job placement/employment program.
  • The intern may not apply if, at the time of application submission, they are a current or past employee (within the last six months) of the company (including consultants, contract position, part-time, etc.).

5. Future Ready Program (FR)

Expert support for eligible SMEs to adopt new critical technologies through upskilling/reskilling staff.

Amount

Reimbursement of 50% of total eligible project costs, up to a maximum of $10,000.

Eligibility requirements

  • A small- and medium- sized enterprise (SME) with fewer than 500 global full-time employees.
  • Must have registered operations (R&D, manufacturing, product management, etc.) in Ontario and a valid CRA business number.
  • Applicants who have received over $500,000 of funding from OCI administered programs in their lifetime (excluding TalentEdge) are required to obtain OCI approval before a new application for funding is initiated. Your Business Development Manager can guide you through the process.
  • Companies must demonstrate a genuine need for training in one or more of the following critical technologies: 5G, AI, Robotics, Quantum Computing, Cybersecurity, and Blockchain Companies must outline a clear plan for how the training will benefit their employees and contribute to the overall growth and development of the organization.
  • Have the capability to implement and internally sustain new Critical Technologies.
  • Have a change management culture and structure that values growth and innovation, willingness to review/adopt new technologies to support scaling.
  • Has the intent and potential to apply, exploit and/or commercialize the results of the project for the economic benefit of Ontario.
  • Has the necessary expertise and resources to put the project into effect within an appropriate time frame.
  • In good financial and reporting standing with OCI.
  • Adoption of critical technologies is part of their long-term product roadmap