Expertise, resources and partners for smart, sustainable transportation
The Centre for Integrated Transportation and Mobility (CITM) serves as an accelerator for businesses in Ontario that specialize in intelligent, sustainable, and multi-modal transportation solutions, with a specific emphasis on electrification, connected vehicles, and infrastructure for the transportation industry.
FREE services, programs & resources for entrepreneurs
If you’re a start-up or scaling company with an innovative idea, technology, or solution for the smart, connected, and electrified transportation industry, then you’re right where you should be. Join CITM and you’ll have access to specialized business and technical expertise, as well as a variety of services, programs, resources, partners, and opportunities – all to help you develop, test, validate, launch, and scale your solution. These resources and services are available free of charge, thanks to the generous support of our funders and partners.
Strategic partnerships to catalyze innovation
CITM drives innovation with a diverse network of partners who share our passion for supporting entrepreneurship and revolutionary tech solutions. Our partners come from a variety of backgrounds and include industry and technology leaders, academic institutions with advanced R&D capabilities, government agencies, and other associations.
Connect with experts, industry leaders, and organizations at the forefront of technological innovation. Our network of strategic partnerships helps provide entrepreneurs…to help them stay competitive. By partnering with these leaders, we are able to provide entrepreneurs with access to the latest technologies, market insights, and industry trends, helping them stay competitive and innovative.
CITM Innovation Challenges
Bringing together industry and technology partners, CITM’s Innovation Challenges aim to solve real-world transportation problems.
Our areas of focus
Electrified vehicle & alternative powertrain technology
Electric & hydrogen energy infrastructure
Connected & autonomous vehicle systems
Smart transportation infrastructure
Transportation-as-a-Service solutions
Strategically located in Hamilton, Ontario
Our location in Hamilton, Ontario offers a full range of transportation options including air, rail, port, rural, urban and industrial infrastructure.
CITM is an integral part of Innovation Factory and one of seven regional technology development sites (RTDS) of the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN).
Meet our team
Stephanie Holko
- Director, Strategic Partnerships & Growth
Biography
Stephanie Holko
Director, Strategic Partnerships & Growth
Stephanie serves as the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Growth at Innovation Factory. Prior to joining Innovation Factory, Stephanie held engineering and management roles in the steel industry and advanced manufacturing funding space. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, and MBA in Innovation and New Technology from McMaster, and is currently enrolled in the Strategic Foresight and Innovation MDes program at OCAD University. Stephanie is passionate about volunteering, science fiction, and STEM education.
Brent Downey
- Program Manager
Biography
Brent Downey
Program Manager
Brent Downey brings over five years of experience in project and program management across the startup, government, and private sectors and is also an established business owner working inside the agri-technology industry in Canada and The United States. Brent has obtained his Masters’ of Global Business from the University of Victoria (Canada), a Master of Science of Business from Montpellier Business School (France) and is a certified Circular Supply Chain Learner from SKKU (South Korea) bringing with him a globalized network and cross cultural perspective to his work inside Innovation Factory.
Shannon Graszat
- Manager, Venture Growth
Biography
Shannon Graszat
Manager, Venture Growth
Shannon is an equal part advisor, connector, and program manager, supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem at Innovation Factory since 2017. Over that time, Shannon has advised and supported hundreds of companies across diverse sectors in their journeys to grow and scale. She can also frequently be found supporting IF in the community by delivering “perfecting your pitch” workshops, among others. Shannon holds a double degree in French and Political Science from Wilfrid Laurier University. In her spare time, Shannon spends her time competing as an internationally ranked Powerlifter, bikepacking around Ontario, and spoiling her rescue dog from St Lucia, Dean. She also loves supporting her local restaurants (Relay Coffee and Cowabunga pizza are among a few of her favourites) and volunteering to make the city a better place.
Evan MacDonald
- Innovation Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
Evan MacDonald
Innovation Advisor, Venture Growth
Evan MacDonald has been working in the startup industry since 2017, starting in Vancouver, BC. She has experience working in the biotech and medtech spaces, supporting entrepreneurs of all stages. Evan found her way to the Innovation Factory in 2022, in her hometown of Hamilton, Ontario. Evan studied fine art and graphic design at Mohawk College and George Brown before entering the workforce. Evan still enjoys using her artistic skills in her small business “Trash Queen Boots,” where she paints cowboy boots and other second-hand goods. You will find her at art markets in Hamilton and Toronto.
Katherine Noble
- Innovation Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
Katherine Noble
Innovation Advisor, Venture Growth
Katherine Noble joined Innovation Factory’s Venture Growth team in 2023 after recently working at the City of Hamilton as a Business Development Officer in the Hamilton Business Centre (HBC). Katherine has also been a business owner herself, operating a multi-award winning flower shop for several years which she sold in 2021. Past corporate experience as a project manager in both the pharmaceutical advertising and medical education industries rounds out more than 20 years of her professional experience. Katherine holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemical Pharmacology, Minor in Marketing degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Soon after graduating, she completed the Council for Continuing Pharmaceutical Education (CCPE) accreditation course. Katherine is also a certified Professional Floral Designer. In her down time, she continues to enjoy designing florals for family and friends. Katherine loves traveling with her family, gardening, a good cup of coffee and walking her rescue dog Booker.
Jessica Porciello
- Innovation Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
Jessica Porciello
Innovation Advisor, Venture Growth
Jessica is a multidisciplinary professional with experience in e-commerce start-ups and corporate innovation environments. She holds a double degree in Business and Financial Math, along with a minor in UX design from Laurier University. During her time at Laurier, Jessica led the Business Design Club, organizing workshops and events to teach business students the applications of Design Thinking Methodology. While running these workshops, Jessica discovered her passion for making an impact by helping genuine individuals reach their full potential through the right support. Outside of her professional pursuits, you can find Jessica hiking the trails of her hometown, Milton, ON, or enjoying line dancing and group fitness classes.
Caleb Cook
- Innovation Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
Caleb Cook
Innovation Advisor, Venture Growth
Caleb started working in Hamilton for a digital advertising agency, then a nonprofit membership association. The experience with different software systems sparked an interest in software and he spent 7 years working in Customer Success for software start/scale ups. As an avid reader, Caleb’s undergraduate degree is in English which helped Caleb focus his communication and organizational skills. Caleb has also obtained certificates in Publishing, Accounting, and Business Analysis. Caleb moved back to Hamilton in 2024 and likes to use transit and bike share to explore the city’s neighbourhoods. At home, Caleb likes to be in the kitchen trying new recipes, attempting to craft a perfect espresso shot, and nurturing his sourdough starter.
Expert Advisors
Brian Lenahan
- Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
Brian Lenahan
Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Time with Brian is only available through your Innovation Advisor.
Brian Lenahan, former executive with a Canadian Bank, author of four books on artificial intelligence, consults to corporations and scale-up companies, advising on practical roadmaps and strategies for artificial intelligence solutions to make companies more efficient and competitive. In terms of quantum technologies, he has written three books on the subject, writes the “Quantum’s Business” substack, and chairs the Quantum Strategy Institute, a worldwide think tank of technology experts dedicated to accelerating the adoption of quantum technologies. Brian’s MBA is from the American Sentinel University (Colorado) and holds certification from MIT Sloan School of Management (Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy) with an undergraduate Commerce degree from Queen’s University in Kingston. His hobbies relate primarily to physical fitness, family and to quality time at Starbucks with the morning crew.
Bruce Inwood
- Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
Bruce Inwood
Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Time with Bruce is only available through your Innovation Advisor.
Bruce is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory and is currently consulting technology companies on commercialization and successful go-to-market activities such as business strategy, investor relations, product management, and more. He previously worked as Senior Director, Business Marketing at BlackBerry. He has over 25 years of business management expertise in software and hardware companies specializing in the mobility, healthcare, and transportation industries.
Bruno Maruzzo
- Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
Bruno Maruzzo
Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Time with Bruno is only available through your Innovation Advisor.
Bruno Maruzzo is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in the technology sector, spanning computer, electronics, medtech, and biotechnology fields across Canada, the US, and Europe. As President of TechnoVenture Inc., he excels in providing general management, financing, business development, strategy, and technical services to both private and public technology companies. Bruno also has a background in venture capital investing in technology firms. Passionate about nurturing early-stage companies, he leverages his expertise to support their development and growth. He holds a BASc in Electrical Engineering and an MBA from the University of Toronto, along with a MASc in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Toronto.
Bryan Duarte
- Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
Bryan Duarte
Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Time with Bryan is only available through your Innovation Advisor.
With over 30 years of experience in the energy industry, Bryan Duarte is a seasoned professional, social venturist, and impact investor. As the Founder and Managing Partner at BlackTech Capital and the Founder & CEO of Enliten, Bryan focuses on ClimateTech and CleanTech, driving innovation and sustainability in these fields. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto and a Certificate in Sustainability Science from the University of Tokyo.
Colin Hung
- Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
Colin Hung
Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Time with Colin is only available through your Innovation Advisor.
Colin Hung is an award-winning healthcare marketer with more than 25 years of industry experience. He has led the marketing efforts at five Health IT companies – all of which have gone on to be acquired. Colin is passionate about improving healthcare and growing the healthcare IT/MedTech innovation ecosystem in Canada. He has helped hundreds of companies grow and scale their business as an advisor and mentor through his work at local innovation hubs including Innovation Factory, ventureLAB, and MARS. Colin has been published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology and the Journal of Health Care Risk Management. He holds a degree from the University of Waterloo in Mechanical Engineering.
David W. Wright
- Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
David W. Wright
Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Time with David is only available through your Innovation Advisor.
David W. Wright, ICD.D, is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory. He provides capital markets, corporate finance, and transaction advisory and valuation services through Cassio Capital Advisors Inc. David has spent his career supporting technology-enhanced high-growth companies as an equity research analyst, investment banker, and corporate advisor. David has analyzed thousands of public and private technology companies, including conducting due diligence of private China-based corporations. As the Executive Director of Equation Angels / Angel One Network, a local angel group, David assisted with deal flow curation and supported the members with industry education and due diligence.
Gordon Wehner
- Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
Gordon Wehner
Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Time with Gordon is only available through your Innovation Advisor.
Gordon Wehner is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory who brings extensive experience in guiding innovative medical organizations toward the implementation of effective quality management systems and navigating international medical device regulatory requirements. With Nearly 35 years of experience in Quality Management and Regulatory Affairs, Gordon continually demonstrates cross-disciplined talents in problem-solving for complex issues in both mature and start-up organizations in the medical device industry.
Ian Levitt
- Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
Ian Levitt
Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Time with Ian is only available through your Innovation Advisor.
Ian is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory and a technology professional with over 25 years of experience in creating, managing, and supporting IT and software solutions. He is an accomplished People Manager with a proven track record of building highly-effective teams that are motivated to execute and deliver with excellence. Ian has an immense passion for the magic of software and its ability to translate imaginative ideas into solutions that help people be more productive.
Inge Christensen
- Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
Inge Christensen
Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Time with Inge is only available through your Innovation Advisor.
Inge has 40 years of experience in the field of creative communications. She made her mark as Creative Director at international PR firm, Hill & Knowlton and subsequently launched her own consulting/coaching business. For 25 years, she worked with clients such as Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, AstraZeneca, and CIBC, helping their teams to apply creativity to communications challenges. This includes teaching them to pitch their solutions to decision-makers in a clear, concise, and compelling way. In addition to working with Innovation Factory as an Expert Advisor, Inge is also Communications Coach for The Forge at McMaster.
Jisun Hahn
- Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
Jisun Hahn
Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Time with Jisun is only available through your Innovation Advisor.
Jisun is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory with almost 25 years of experience in building program P&Ls, loyalty program design and technology, international market expansion, and product development. Jisun has first-hand experience with building sustainable business models and helping brands form deep relationships with consumers. Jisun was the Chief Product Officer for Flexiti, a fintech company based in Toronto. In addition, during her tenure as the Head of Client Services at Loyalty One, Jisun developed C-level relationships across major businesses in Canada. Currently, Jisun leads the strategic planning process and oversight as Chief Strategy Officer at Kognitiv.
John Holland
- Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
John Holland
Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Time with John is only available through your Innovation Advisor.
John is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory. Prior to establishing Plutus Consulting Group (www.plutuscg.com), John spent over 25 years as a senior executive and CEO in the multinational Food and CPG industries. He successfully launched many recognized new products on three continents, achieving their branding and sales goals. He now guides businesses in the monetization of product innovation, business strategy, change management, organizational effectiveness, brand/product positioning, and retail customer development.
Julie Ellis
- Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
Julie Ellis
Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Time with Julie is only available through your Innovation Advisor.
Julie Ellis is a notable executive and business coach. She provides her unique experience and expertise, gained through 25 years of working first in the corporate world, and then as a leading Canadian entrepreneur. She is a co-founder of award-winning Mabel’s Labels, one of Canada’s greatest small business success stories. As a professionally certified coach with the International Coaching Federation (2020), Julie works directly with bold leaders propelling them to unlock their capacity, leading to accelerated success. She is also Chair of the Board at Angel One Investment Network, one of the most active angel investor groups in Canada. A sought-after speaker and trainer, Julie has developed keynotes and workshops for private companies, corporations and associations, with titles such as “Ignite, Scale and Exit”, “Success Secrets of Wonder Women!” and “Why We All Need to Think Big!”.
Mark Elliot
- Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
Mark Elliot
Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Time with Mark is only available through your Innovation Advisor.
Mark Elliott is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory and is the founder of VA Partners. The VA Partners team provides part-time sales and marketing services. With the Innovation Factory Mark leads a Sales Bootcamp, co-champions the Sales and Marketing P2P, supports the IDEA Fund, and is an expert Advisor. Mark is active in the start-up sales community as champion of the Communitech Sales Leaders P2P, teaches at U of T, and works with other RICs including Acceleration +, Altitude Accelerator, Haltech, and Innovation Niagara.
Mark Evans
- Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
Mark Evans
Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Time with Mark is only available through your Innovation Advisor.
Mark is a fractional CMO, strategic advisor, and entrepreneurship coach for B2B SaaS companies. He provides innovators with strategic guidance to establish marketing foundations underpinned by clear customer stories, go-to-market plans, and tactical oversight. Before starting Marketing Spark in 2008, he co-founded a startup, worked for startups, and was an award-winning technology journalist.
Megan Coombes
- Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
Megan Coombes
Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Time with Megan is only available through your Innovation Advisor.
Megan Coombes is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry leading teams and projects at both multinational and local start-up companies. Megan has a robust understanding of global markets, evolving healthcare policies, and health technology assessment practices. Megan’s career journey has been marked by a series of achievements in roles that have allowed her to develop a wide range of skills. Her experience includes cross-functional team leadership, strategic planning, clinical research, project management, and stakeholder engagement, with a focus on health technology assessment and reimbursement.
Michael Bolt
- Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
Michael Bolt
Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Time with Michael is only available through your Innovation Advisor.
Michael is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory with over 20 years of experience leading business performance optimization within the manufacturing sector utilizing a process-driven, continuous improvement approach. Over that time, he developed an expertise in not only understanding fundamental process improvement but also the critical interplay between the tools that govern those processes and the people who execute them. Now, as a consultant, Michael leverages his background in ISO, AS9100 and other quality management systems to assist organizations in operationalizing strategic initiatives toward scalability and sustainability. At his core, Michael is a People Manager with a proven track record of creating alignment across diverse stakeholders employing a needs-based approach with strong change management techniques.
Rajiv Jagota
- Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
Rajiv Jagota
Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Time with Rajiv is only available through your Innovation Advisor.
Rajiv has over 20 years of experience across telecom, pharmaceutical, and retail industries, holding senior roles in consumer, business, enterprise markets, and resellers. He is deeply knowledgeable in telecom regulations, including CRTC registration and wireless code of conduct, as well as pharmaceutical distribution and compliance, having owned and operated a pharmacy brokerage. Rajiv has also managed a family-owned retail business specializing in supplements. His expertise spans sales and marketing, corporate governance, finance, audit, compliance, M&A, and operations across Canada, the US, the Philippines, and India. He has built multi-disciplinary teams, led strategic planning, and served on both public and private company boards, contributing to corporate strategy, venture capital, and integration processes.
Randy Stackaruk
- Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
Randy Stackaruk
Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Time with Randy is only available through your Innovation Advisor.
Randy has a breadth of experience in sales and sales management roles in both startups and large tech companies. He carried a quota for over 35 years, always in “hunting” roles focused on B2B sales; constantly having the pressure to produce results quickly. Currently, he is an Expert Advisor, assisting numerous start-up companies in launching and expanding their sales efforts. Randy has a bachelor’s degree in business finance from the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma. He has taken many sales training courses and is familiar with their various methodologies. Randy enjoys snowboarding, sailing, traveling, doing construction projects around the house, and playing with his grandkids.
Robert Buren
- Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
Robert Buren
Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Time with Robert is only available through your Innovation Advisor.
Robert Buren has extensive experience in sales, marketing, and management consulting, having led business development for startups during the dot-com boom and significantly contributed to growing a Microsoft Gold Partner business. He later joined Microsoft Canada and founded ventures including SecTor, Canada’s largest IT security conference. Robert holds a Master’s degree and is currently pursuing a PhD in Kinesiology with a focus on pain management for spinal cord injury. His passion projects include helping startups with business definition and messaging, and he is also an advocate for accessibility and disability.
Sanjay Dhir
- Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
Sanjay Dhir
Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Time with Sanjay is only available through your Innovation Advisor.
Sanjay is an Innovation Factory Expert Advisor who has a wealth of experience in different industries. He has offered financial stewardship in building and managing entrepreneurial companies and has provided SaaS and software/data-related services to their global clients. Sanjay has developed and implemented business-specific financial tools, accounting and finance structures, policies, processes, and procedures as the startup companies were going through hypergrowth. Sanjay has vast experience in many other industries in addition to technology and has been a trusted advisor to the senior leadership teams.
Stephanie McLarty
- Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
Stephanie McLarty
Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Time with Stephanie is only available through your Innovation Advisor.
Stephanie McLarty is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory and award-winning entrepreneur and champion of sustainable business. Stephanie founded REfficient in 2010 which provided a reuse and recycling marketplace and services in the Telecom sector. Under Stephanie’s leadership, REfficient became Hamilton’s first Certified B Corp and grew to have customers in 14 countries. The company was acquired by Canada’s largest electronics recycler, Quantum Lifecycle Partners, in January 2022. Stephanie is now Head of Sustainability at Quantum, where she is in charge of building and executing a sustainability strategy across the company’s 10 locations and 500+ employees. Her work has already resulted in awards for the company in ESG leadership.
Tom Turchet
- Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Biography
Tom Turchet
Expert Advisor, Venture Growth
Time with Tom is only available through your Innovation Advisor.
Tom is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory who has been working in the technology industry for over 35 years. He advises tech companies of all sizes in Business Strategy, Sales Execution, and Routes to Market Structure. He has successfully taken his clients through significant growth stages. Prior to establishing his practice, Tom spent 30 years as a senior executive at IBM, leading teams in their software and services division. He brings a unique combination of large company experience and entrepreneurial knowledge to the organization.
Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network
As Ontario’s flagship initiative for the automotive and mobility sector, the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), is driving economic development and catalyzing a future that builds safer, cleaner, and more efficient transportation.
The Regional Technology Development Sites (RTDS) support SMEs to develop, test and prototype their advanced automotive technologies and smart mobility solutions, and tap into specific advice, expertise and knowledge around key focus areas for the sector.
The seven RTDS are located in Waterloo, Ottawa, Hamilton, Durham, Windsor-Essex, Toronto and the newly added Northern RTDS that includes Greater Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Timmins, Temiskaming Shores, Sault Ste. Marie and North Bay. Each regional site focuses on a unique aspect of the automotive and smart mobility sector, such as hardware, security, data analytics and more.
