The Oshawa Ontario Tech automotive innovation investment received a major boost this week as the Province of Ontario announced up to $2 million in funding to support automotive technology and smart mobility development in Durham Region.
The funding was announced at Ontario Tech University’s Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE) in north Oshawa, where provincial officials joined city leaders, industry partners, and university representatives to highlight the investment in the Durham Region Innovation and Vehicle Ecosystem (DRIVE).
The investment is part of a broader $17.5 million provincial initiative supporting nine Regional Technology Development Sites across Ontario through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN). When combined with industry and public sector contributions, the total investment across the province will reach nearly $70 million.
These development sites are designed to support Ontario-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by providing access to infrastructure, expertise, and collaboration opportunities to develop, test, and commercialize new automotive and smart mobility technologies.
Ontario Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli said the program helps strengthen Ontario’s leadership in automotive innovation by encouraging collaboration between industry, municipalities, and academic institutions.
“By fostering the conditions for industry, municipalities and academia to collaborate, we will continue to position Ontario at the forefront of automotive and mobility innovation and fuel opportunities for economic growth and investment,” Fedeli said.
The Oshawa-based DRIVE site is led by the City of Oshawa in partnership with Ontario Tech University and supported by several regional partners. These include the ACE Climatic Aerodynamic Wind Tunnel, Brilliant Catalyst, the 1855 Technology Accelerator, the Region of Durham, and the Town of Whitby.
These partnerships provide businesses and entrepreneurs with access to advanced research facilities, specialized equipment, and business advisory services that help accelerate the commercialization of emerging technologies.
Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter said the investment reinforces Durham Region’s growing reputation as a leader in next-generation mobility and advanced manufacturing.
“The City of Oshawa and Durham Region are at the forefront of Canada’s mobility transformation, and OVIN’s support for the Durham Region Innovation and Vehicle Ecosystem is a powerful endorsement of our region’s strengths,” Carter said.
Officials say the regional hub will support innovation in sectors including electric mobility, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, rail transportation, and micro-mobility technologies.
Across the province, the network includes innovation sites located in Oshawa, Hamilton, Kingston, Ottawa, Simcoe, Waterloo, Windsor-Essex, York Region, and northern Ontario.
The Oshawa and Durham Region hub is expected to receive nearly $7 million in total funding, including $2.4 million in matching industry investment and more than $2.5 million in public sector support.
This support includes opportunities for pilot projects, demonstration zones, mentorship programs, and workspace for startups and technology developers.
Ontario Centre for Innovation CEO Claudia Krywiak said the investment will help transform regional innovation into tangible economic growth.
“We’re giving SMEs access to world-class infrastructure and expertise that helps them commercialize faster, strengthen supply chains, and compete globally,” Krywiak said.
Local officials believe the funding will further position Oshawa and Durham Region as leaders in smart transportation, mobility innovation, and advanced manufacturing technologies, while also creating new jobs and economic opportunities across the region.
