Global Innovation Clusters
What’s a Cluster?
Clusters are dense areas of business activity characterized by their large number of companies, academic post-secondary and research institutions and not-for-profit organizations. These networks boost economic growth and job creation by giving rise to strong business partnerships, long-term objectives and competitive advantages. In short, they make innovation happen.
Canada’s Cluster Program
Canada’s Global Innovation Clusters Program pulls together technology clusters across the country into industry-led consortiums. Each cluster focuses on technology innovation in the areas where Canada has a significant competitive advantage: ocean sciences, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, protein industry, and digital technology.
The program’s goal is to solve complex challenges, drive economic growth, develop and attract top talent, and advance world-leading research and innovation. Canada’s global innovation clusters have been supercharged with approximately $1 billion in federal government funding matched dollar-for-dollar by industry. The clusters are run by independent, not-for-profit organizations and move at the speed of business, and capitalize on innovation and market opportunities. They are responsible for selecting and funding projects that benefit, grow and meet the evolving needs of their innovation ecosystems.
Digital Technology
Total funding: up to $173 million
Based in British Columbia, this Cluster is unlocking the potential of data. Using virtual, mixed, and augmented reality, data, and quantum computing, the Digital Technology Cluster is solving productivity, health, and sustainability challenges.
Partners include:
Protein Industries
Total funding: up to $173 million
Based in the Prairie Provinces, this Cluster is evolving agricultural production with plant genomics and novel processing.
Partners include:
Advanced Manufacturing
Total funding: up to $250 million
This Ontario-based Cluster is building next-generation manufacturing capabilities by adopting advanced processes and developing and deploying new technologies like robotics and 3D printing.
Partners include:
Scale AI
Total funding: up to $230 million
The Scale AI Cluster, based in Quebec, is building the supply chains of the future using artificial intelligence and robotic technologies.
Partners include:
Ocean
Total funding: up to $153 million
Based in Atlantic Canada, the Ocean Cluster is solving global challenges like how to meet energy demands through marine renewable energy, fisheries, aquaculture, oil and gas, defence, shipbuilding, and transportation.
Partners include:
