ventureLAB and the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) have officially launched a new Technology Development Site (TDS) under the province’s Critical Industrial Technologies (CIT) initiative, designed to accelerate the growth and commercialization of AI-powered technologies developed by Ontario-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
“This initiative is about equipping Ontario’s SMEs with the infrastructure and expertise needed to compete globally in AI,” said Sep Assadian, VP, Founder Success at ventureLAB. “By combining advanced compute resources with deep commercialization support, we’re enabling companies to move from concept to market with speed and impact.”
As global competition in AI and semiconductors intensifies, this program aims to ensure Canadian SMEs are equipped to lead.
“With over 85,000 tech professionals, Ontario stands at the forefront of global innovation and technology," said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. "Through the Critical Industrial Technologies Initiative, ventureLAB’s partnership with the Ontario Centre of Innovation will accelerate the delivery of made-in-Ontario technologies, and further enhance our province’s growing innovation ecosystem.” This initiative, part of OCI’s critical industrial technologies portfolio, leverages Ontario’s critical technology network for the province’s key industrial sectors - advanced manufacturing, construction, agri-food, and mining - to advance their position in the global market.
Through the partnership with CIT, SMEs gain access to ventureLAB’s leading-edge AI infrastructure and commercialization expertise. The ventureLAB-led site will serve as a collaborative, hands-on environment that enables startups to build, test, validate, and commercialize transformative AI-driven solutions for global markets.
“Through the Critical Industrial Technologies Initiative, we’re strengthening Ontario’s innovation ecosystem by giving SMEs the tools, support, and spaces they need to thrive,” said Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO of the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI). “ventureLAB’s selection as a Technology Development Site highlights their global leadership in mining innovation and their dedication to helping companies develop, test, and scale cutting-edge technologies.
Together, we’re building a more competitive Ontario—accelerating industrial innovation from underground labs to global markets.”
The AI Compute Lab at ventureLAB will provide participating SMEs with access to advanced GPUs, high-performance servers, and a hardware-agnostic environment for training and validating AI models. In addition, SMEs will benefit from the AI Toolbox, which includes curated datasets, pre-trained models, and essential tools for data labeling and governance.
“As Ontario prepares to lead a rapidly evolving global industrial economy, it is crucial to build a connected, province-wide network that fuels the development, testing, and adoption of critical technologies,” said Raed Kadri, Vice-President, Strategic Initiatives and Business Development, OCI and Head of OVIN. “From robotics and AI to cybersecurity and sustainable construction, the new Technology Development Sites under the Critical Industrial Technologies initiative will provide Ontario companies the competitive edge they need to transform the mining, construction, agri-food, and advanced manufacturing sectors and fuel a more resilient economy.”
Participating SMEs will also receive personalized advisory services and access to ventureLAB’s Innovation Space. The program includes up to 10–15 hours per month of technical support, business mentorship, access to curated programming, and networking opportunities with potential partners and investors. [LC1] SMEs are eligible if they are Ontario-registered, focused on AI development or applications, and active in one of the target industries.
The application process is now open and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. SMEs selected by OCI will be referred to ventureLAB for onboarding and a customized project scope.
To learn more about the CIT initiative, please contact Manavi Parashar, Program Manager for Accelerate AI, at mparashar@venturelab.ca
