ONTARIO VEHICLE INNOVATION NETWORK (OVIN)

Overview of the ONTARIO VEHICLE INNOVATION NETWORK (OVIN) program:

As the Government of Ontario’s flagship initiative for the automotive and transportation sector, OVIN will accelerate the commercialization and adoption of the next-generation electric, connected, and autonomous vehicle and mobility technologies that contribute to a lower environmental and carbon footprint – all while supporting Ontario’s role as the manufacturing hub of Canada. The automotive industry is undergoing a significant shift, with technological advances and evolving mobility preferences redefining its future. Through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), Ontario is at the forefront of this transformation. OVIN capitalizes on the economic potential of advanced automotive technologies and smart mobility solutions such as connected and autonomous vehicles (C/AVs), and electric and low-carbon vehicle technologies, while enabling the province’s transportation and infrastructure networks to plan for and adapt to this evolution.

Benefits of the ONTARIO VEHICLE INNOVATION NETWORK (OVIN) program:

• Each OVIN program supports the development and demonstration of automotive technologies and mobility solutions such as connected, autonomous, electric, and smart mobility technologies in areas such as:
• Commercially ready technologies for application in mass light vehicles (cars, trucks, and vans)
• Heavy-duty vehicles (commercial vehicles, trucks, buses, recreational vehicles, and others used for goods movement)
• Transportation infrastructure
• Intelligent transportation systems (ITS)
• Transit-supportive systems and vehicles
• SMEs must work with an industry partner, or in some cases, an academic partner, to help bring their technology closer to commercialization.

Eligibility criteria of the ONTARIO VEHICLE INNOVATION NETWORK (OVIN) program:

• Ontario-Based Companies: The applicant must be a business, startup, or organization based in Ontario. The company should be involved in the automotive, mobility, or related sectors.
• Innovation Focus: The program is designed for companies working on innovative technologies that advance the automotive and mobility sectors. This includes areas such as electric vehicles, connected and autonomous vehicles, smart mobility solutions, advanced manufacturing processes, and green transportation technologies.
• Collaborative Projects: OVIN encourages collaborative projects that involve partnerships between businesses, academic institutions, research organizations, and other stakeholders. Projects that demonstrate a clear path to commercialization and job creation are particularly favored.
• Project Viability: Applicants must demonstrate the technical feasibility and commercial potential of their projects. This includes providing a detailed project plan, budget, and timeline, along with evidence of market demand and a strategy for scaling the technology.