Investments in Ottawa Region AI and Tech Businesses
Through its vast network of tech talent and industry leaders, the Ottawa region is renowned for its cutting-edge research and development and innovation in numerous sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI). Capitalizing on the region’s growing ideas and innovations in the AI sector is an essential way to ensure Canadian businesses are at the forefront while also bringing new critical solutions to market. These goals are aligned with the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, a plan that is bridging Canada's world-class talent and research capacity with programs to help improve the commercialization and adoption of Canadian AI innovations.
Today, the Honourable Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Member of Parliament for Kanata–Carleton, visited InPho, which builds fiber optic chips that enable the world’s highest speed internet connections between computers in data centres, operating 500 times faster than highspeed fiber in homes.
While there, Minister Sudds announced a combined investment of over $7 million for six growing AI and tech companies in Ottawa: Aerial Vehicle Safety Solutions Inc., Communication Components Antenna Inc., InPho, Mission Control, NORTAC Defence and Trualta Care Network (Trualta). The investments are helping the companies to scale-up and commercialize new products and services.
AI is changing the world and is powered by data, creating demand for high-speed fiber links. That’s why as part of this investment, InPho received $3 million to commercialize its fiber optic chips, ensuring quicker uploads, downloads and AI requests. This investment is contributing to building out our semiconductor ecosystem in Canada around high-speed computer communications that includes advanced semiconductor fabrication, packaging, test and system manufacturing.
Quotes
“The Ottawa region is one of the largest tech hubs in Canada, with immense potential, especially in AI. With today’s investment in these six Ottawa companies, we are capitalizing on our brightest minds as they develop innovative solutions to support next-generation digital technologies.” - The Honourable Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Member of Parliament for Kanata–Carleton
“InPho’s success is a testament to the power of the Canadian government’s support for high technology startups. Our world speed record fiber optic chips would not have been possible without Canadian investment in our R&D work over the last 4 years. FedDev Ontario funding will enable us to go from lab to revenue in less than 18 months which would not have happened without FedDev Ontario.” - Joe Costello, Chief Executive Officer, InPho
Quick Facts
The Ottawa region is home to 1,800 tech companies and more than 88,000 tech workers.
Incorporated in 2017, AVSS - Aerial Vehicle Safety Solutions Inc. is an aerospace company commercializing drone technologies for Urban Air Mobility for commercial drones, independent flight termination systems, and precision-guided delivery systems for last-mile delivery.
Incorporated in 2011, Communications Components Antenna Inc. (CCAI) provides innovative wireless solutions, including the development and commercialization of advanced 5G and WiFi integrated technologies.
Incorporated in 2013, InPho is a semiconductor manufacturer that provides cost-efficient solutions for solving the hardest problems in computing and communications to increase lane speed, and bandwidth for all leading-edge IT, starting with high-performance data centres.
Incorporated in 2015, Mission Control is an early-stage, space exploration technology company specializing in streamlining space robotic mission operations for organizations that fly robotic systems to space.
Incorporated in 2010, NORTAC Defence Limited provides digital secure communications solutions to the national defence, civil defence, first responder and other markets in Canada and abroad.
Established in 2017, Trualta Care Network is an online caregiver education and support platform that helps caregivers build skills and confidence through self-paced training, peer support, coaching and certifications.
Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $270 million in nearly 250 projects in the Ottawa Region, supporting over 32,500 jobs.
Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $420 million in 113 artificial intelligence projects within southern Ontario, supporting over 27,000 jobs.
Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $1.2 billion in 420 technology projects within southern Ontario, supporting over 57,000 jobs.
