Ontario’s automotive and mobility sector is accelerating, with the Hamilton-Halton region playing a key role in this growth. The region is home to the Centre for Integrated Transportation and Mobility (CITM), one of the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network’s (OVIN) Regional Technology Development Sites (RTDSs), which has become a powerful catalyst for bringing automotive and mobility innovations to market.
Backed by the Government of Ontario through OVIN, Innovation Factory’s CITM is an accelerator that helps innovators in smart, connected, and electrified transportation and infrastructure bring their solutions to market faster. From funding identification to technical expertise and strategic partnerships, CITM provides the resources entrepreneurs need to scale in Ontario’s growing automotive and mobility ecosystem.
OVIN accelerates the development and commercialization of next-generation electric, connected, autonomous, and Transportation-as-a-Service (TaaS) technologies across Ontario. Through its suite of programs and funding streams, OVIN brings together Ontario-based up-and-coming start-ups and SMEs, Regional Technology Development Sites (RTDSs), industry leaders, and academic institutions, creating the partnerships innovators need to bring their solutions to market faster.
“As the global mobility transformation rapidly advances, the world is looking to Ontario’s strong leadership in accelerating innovation and unlocking market opportunities for leading-edge technologies,” said Raed Kadri, Head of OVIN. “Our province is leading this effort by harnessing regional strengths and connecting innovators to accelerators to drive the growth of made-in-Ontario solutions to transportation challenges and catalyze lasting economic prosperity.”
Since 2023, CITM-supported innovators have brought a variety of technologies to market, advancing the journey from innovation to commercialization for automotive and mobility solutions with support from the Government of Ontario. This reflects Ontario’s ongoing role as a launchpad for sector-wide innovation. Among these innovators is Ben Fisher, Founder of GravitySlide, the company behind GravityDrive, a sustainable propulsion solution for the RV and commercial vehicle sector.
Working with CITM, Fisher received valuable support on pitch development and was introduced to strategic partners, key steps that ultimately led to securing funding through OVIN. GravitySlide received support from the OVIN R&D Partnership Fund, which provides co-investment to Ontario-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop, validate, and commercialize next-generation automotive and smart mobility technologies, as well as the Talent Development Program which supports companies by subsidizing the cost of hiring students or recent graduates to work on automotive and smart mobility innovation projects.
Through OVIN, GravitySlide had the opportunity to pilot their GravityDrive technology and apply real-world feedback to refine its product. The result? An improved version of GravityDrive, featuring a smartphone user interface for both iOS and Android users. The overall goal? To make maneuvering and parking travel trailers safer, more efficient, and more sustainable.
“Having a strong background in starting a business and being a successful entrepreneur, I know the value of everything from mentorship and expert advisors to getting access to funding opportunities and being involved in the start-up ecosystem,” said Ben Fisher, Founder of GravitySlide.
From R&D funding to piloting programs, OVIN supports innovators across the full innovation lifecycle, strengthening Ontario’s position as a global leader in the automotive and mobility sector.
That’s also the case for HYGN Energy, a company focused on commercializing hydrogen-based systems that reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency in combustion-engine vehicles without the need for rare earth materials. Their goal is to deploy these clean power stations to remote areas like Northern Ontario, where fuel is costly and access is limited.
HYGN is receiving up to $100,000 through OVIN Technology Pilot Zones, which is enabling them to pilot their tech in real-world environments and receive live feedback. With the support of Ontario Centre for Innovation (OCI), HYGN is successfully converting vehicles at the Blue Water Bridge into hydrogen hybrid vehicles. Why is this significant? Projects like these are helping Ontario progress to a more fuel-efficient and emissions-free future by addressing the challenge of electrifying vehicles that are impossible to do so.
“I can envision clean hydrogen systems across Canada, powering major energy projects globally,” said CEO Thomas Ross. “Five years from now, we hope to be enabling green hydrogen energy around the world.” With guidance from CITM, HYGN has taken critical steps toward commercialization, licensing, and scaling its technology.”
Driving forward: the power of funding and collaboration
For every start-up supported, there’s a larger goal at play: to commercialize Ontario-made technologies that strengthen Canada’s automotive sector, enhance infrastructure, and build a more sustainable transportation future. The grants and support provided by OVIN to CITM-supported companies are helping push cutting-edge projects closer to real-world impact. From autonomous systems to clean energy, these milestones are a sign of Ontario’s growing strength in mobility innovation.
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