Innovation Superclusters Initiative
What’s a Supercluster?
Superclusters 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 Superclusters Initiative
Canada’s Innovation Superclusters Initiative pulls together technology clusters across the country into industry-led consortiums. Each Supercluster 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 initiative's goal is to solve complex challenges, drive economic growth, develop and attract top talent, and advance world-leading research and innovation. Canada’s Superclusters have been supercharged with approximately $1 billion in federal government funding matched dollar-for-dollar by industry. The Superclusters 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 Supercluster
Total funding: up to $173 million
Based in British Columbia, this Supercluster is unlocking the potential of data. Using virtual, mixed, and augmented reality, data, and quantum computing, the Digital Technology Supercluster is solving productivity, health, and sustainability challenges.
Partners include:
Protein Industries Supercluster
Total funding: up to $173 million
Based in the Prairie Provinces, this Supercluster is evolving agricultural production with plant genomics and novel processing.
Partners include:
Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster
Total funding: up to $250 million
This Ontario-based Supercluster is building next-generation manufacturing capabilities by adopting advanced processes and developing and deploying new technologies like robotics and 3D printing.
Partners include:
AI-powered Supply Chains Supercluster (Scale AI)
Total funding: up to $230 million
The Scale AI Supercluster, based in Quebec, is building the supply chains of the future using artificial intelligence and robotic technologies.
Partners include:
Ocean Supercluster
Total funding: up to $153 million
Based in Atlantic Canada, the Ocean Supercluster 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:
