Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO at the Ontario Centre of Innovation, details Ontario’s role in the global research and innovation landscape and explains how the organisation is helping to accelerate this.
With millions of dollars invested into supporting local research and innovation, the Canadian province of Ontario has vast potential to be a leader in the global research and development (R&D) space.
Since 2018, Ontario has invested C$831m in 1,503 research projects, leveraging more than C$1.34bn in funding from federal and other third-party contributions. Amongst the achievements to come from these investments is the creation of over 120,000 training opportunities for researchers and students across the province. They have also contributed to 421 patents being granted, 76 spin-off companies being created and 594 new jobs at those spin-offs.
Through its dedicated Ontario Research Fund: Research Excellence (ORF-RE), the Ontario government supports the development of groundbreaking research to help advance knowledge, drive innovation, and deliver a bright future for Ontarians. The ORF-RE provides research institutions with funding to support the operational costs of major projects of strategic value to the province.
Working in partnership with the government, the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) is an ecosystem connector, bringing together industry, academic, and government partners to invest in collaborative R&D, technology development, and commercialisation opportunities that generate the highest return on innovation for Ontarians.
The OCI maximises the commercial impact of research developed in Ontario’s colleges, universities, and research hospitals, and accelerates the commercialisation of Made-in-Ontario intellectual property and technologies.
The Innovation Platform spoke to Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO at the Ontario Centre of Innovation, to find out how the organisation is helping to drive research and innovation in the province.
What is the current state of research and innovation in Ontario?
Ontario is at the forefront of research and innovation, leading Canada in driving technological advancements and fostering a robust innovation ecosystem. We are home to world-class universities, thriving startups, and global companies that collaborate to create cutting-edge solutions in sectors like health sciences, advanced manufacturing, and clean technology.
Ontario’s innovation economy is vibrant, fueled by both our homegrown talent and the province’s strategic investments in key areas like electric vehicles (EVs), artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum computing. This unique synergy positions Ontario as a global leader in research and commercialisation.
How is the Ontario Centre of Innovation helping to accelerate Ontario’s place in the global research and innovation landscape?
At OCI, our mission is to bridge the gap between research and commercialisation. We are actively accelerating Ontario’s global impact by fostering partnerships between academia, industry, and government to transform innovative ideas into market-ready solutions.
Programmes like Ontario’s Life Sciences Innovation Fund (LSIF), the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) and our collaborations with partners in the US, Europe, and Asia help Ontario businesses scale and compete globally. We provide critical funding, expertise, and connections that enable small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop technologies that not only solve local challenges but also position Ontario as a global hub for innovation.
What did 2024 look like for OCI?
2024 was an extraordinary year for OCI. We invested C$117m in innovation projects across Ontario, including C$61m in co-investments from industry partners. These investments resulted in the creation and retention of 5,542 jobs, C$362m in incremental sales revenue for OCI-supported companies, and C$734m in private sector follow-on investments.
We launched the Critical Industrial Technologies (CIT) initiative, accelerating the commercialisation and adoption of critical technologies in Ontario’s advanced manufacturing, agri-food, construction, and mining sectors. Our partnerships with industry leaders and government have attracted significant investments into Ontario’s innovation ecosystem, enabling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to scale their solutions. In April, we brought together Ontario’s brightest innovators and entrepreneurs at DiscoveryX, Canada’s leading innovation conference, to showcase groundbreaking technologies to a global audience. It’s been a year of growth, collaboration, and measurable impact.
How important is international support and collaboration in OCI’s work?
International collaborations are vital to OCI’s efforts to help Ontario’s high-potential companies scale and succeed in global markets. By working with international governments, organisations, and investors, we bring Ontario-made technologies to the world stage while also bringing global insights and resources back to Ontario. These collaborations are integral to fostering economic growth and strengthening Ontario’s position as a leader in technological innovation.
In 2024, Canada was announced as an official partner of the Horizon Europe programme under Pillar II. What does this mean for projects at OCI? Is it already benefitting your projects?
Canada’s participation in Horizon Europe enables Ontario’s innovators and entrepreneurs to access opportunities and funding for collaborative R&D while strengthening relationships across global economies.
We are partnering with the Toronto Business Development Centre (TBDC) to attract European entrepreneurs to Ontario, support Ontario companies in expanding into Europe, and connect potential collaborators. This means greater access to resources and strategic partnerships for projects in key areas such as health, clean energy, and mobility. It’s an exciting time, and this partnership reinforces both Canada’s and Ontario’s positions as leaders in the global innovation landscape.
About Claudia Krywiak
Claudia Krywiak is the President and CEO at the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), a not-for-profit organisation that accelerates the development, commercialisation, and adoption of new technologies.
As a champion of innovation in Ontario and across Canada, Claudia has been with OCI since 2011. She has actively promoted innovation as a key driver of competitiveness, productivity, and economic growth. Her leadership covers a broad range of initiatives, including those in artificial intelligence, autonomous and electric vehicles, 5G and next-generation networks, cybersecurity, and clean technologies.
Previously, Dr Krywiak was the Vice-President of Business Development at Mitacs. She started her career at Bruker Corporation, enabling scientists to make breakthrough discoveries.
Claudia serves on the Boards of Directors for the Conference Board of Canada and Waterloo’s Accelerator Centre.
Please note, this article will also appear in the 21st edition of our quarterly publication.
