Global Innovation Clusters

For Canadian organizations looking to tackle complex innovation challenges that are too large for any one company to solve alone, the Global Innovation Clusters program offers a powerful collaboration-driven opportunity. This national initiative brings together businesses, post-secondary institutions, nonprofits, and other partners to work on ambitious projects that can accelerate growth in some of Canada’s most promising and high-impact industries. Rather than funding isolated activities, the focus is on shared innovation that strengthens entire ecosystems and positions Canadian solutions on a global stage.

Through participation in one of Canada’s innovation clusters, members can access non-repayable funding support tied to collaborative projects that advance technology development, improve business processes, and speed up commercialization. Projects often involve scaling new products or services, adopting advanced technologies, and building stronger intellectual property strategies, with added benefits such as mentorship, skills development, and access to national and international networks. Funding levels vary depending on the scope and partners involved, but are designed to meaningfully offset project costs and reduce the risk of investing in innovation.

The program is open nationwide and supports startups, small and medium-sized businesses, large enterprises, and nonprofits that meet certain requirements, with each cluster managing its own intake and project priorities. For organizations interested in growing through collaboration and innovation, exploring how the Global Innovation Clusters align with your goals is a smart next step.