The Innovation Superclusters Initiative (ISI) invites industry-led consortia to lead and to invest in bold and ambitious proposals that will supercharge regional innovation ecosystems. The program supports new partnerships between large firms, SMEs, and industry-relevant research institutions, promoting the development of globally competitive technology. A small number of high-value, strategic investments will be made to build on shared private sector commitment, demonstrated through matched ind
Name in original language
Innovation Superclusters Initiative / Initiative des Supergrappes d'Innovation
Initiative overview
The ISI was launched as part of the Innovation and Skills Plan to accelerate the development and growth of business-led innovation superclusters that will create new commercial and global opportunities for Canadian firms in fast-growing areas such as AI, advanced manufacturing, and clean technology. Through the ISI, the government will provide non-repayable contributions to industry-led, non-profit entities with ambitious proposals that build a competitive advantage for Canadian firms.The ISI will support five themes of activity:1. Creating technology leadership by supporting collaborative R&D or demonstration projects that enhance productivity, performance and competitiveness of member firms.2. Creating partnerships for scale by increasing demand for cluster products, linking SMEs with large firms, and supporting integration into global supply chains.3. Creating a diverse and skilled workforce by addressing industry needs for talent.4. Creating access to innovation by investing in and providing access to assets, services, or resources that benefit a range of cluster firms over a period of time.5. Creating global advantage by enabling firms to seize market opportunities and attract international investments and partnerships.The initiative has the following objectives:To build a shared competitive advantage for their cluster that attracts cutting-edge research, investment and talent by addressing gaps, aligning strengths, enhancing attributes, and positioning it as a world-leading innovation hotbed.To increase business expenditures on research and development (R&D) and advance a range of business-led innovation and technology leadership activities that will address important industrial challenges, boost productivity, performance and competiveness for Canadas sectors of economic strength.To generate new companies, and commercialize new products, processes and services that position firms to scale, connect to global supply chains, transition to high-value activities and become global market leaders; andTo foster a critical mass of growth-oriented firms, and strengthen collaborations between private, academic and public sector organizations pursuing private-sector led innovation and commercial opportunities to enhance the clusters pool of resources, capabilities and knowledge.
Name of responsible organisation (in English)
Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED)
