Head of OVIN Raed Kadri speaks to the crowd at the University of Windsor and OVIN Incubators partnership launch. (PETER MARVAL/University of Windsor)
By Sara Elliott
A new partnership will help University of Windsor researchers commercialize innovative automotive technologies and support entrepreneurship.
UWindsor has joined OVIN Incubators, a program of the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network.
The program connects universities, researchers and students with industry partners to create and bring new automotive and transportation technologies to market.
"With interdisciplinary automotive and mobility research expertise and strong ties to the Canadian automotive manufacturing sector, the University of Windsor is uniquely positioned to contribute to this Ontario initiative,” says Dr. Shanthi Johnson, vice-president, research and innovation.
“OVIN Incubators will create new opportunities for researchers and students to work alongside industry partners to gain hands-on experience developing real-world technologies.”
The University of Windsor has joined OVIN Incubators, a program of the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network. (PETER MARVAL/University of Windsor)
The partnership was announced June 24. UWindsor joins fellow post-secondary partner, the University of Toronto, as well as industry partners Mercedes-Benz, Infineon Technologies and Schaeffler.
“Ontario’s continued automotive and mobility leadership is driving sustainable economic growth and OVIN’s partnership with the University of Windsor will continue to drive growth while creating opportunities to convert leading research into scalable technology solutions,” said Raed Kadri, head of OVIN.
“Ontario-based talent continues to drive the creation of technologies and mobility solutions the world needs right now and for years to come.”
OVIN is an initiative of the Government of Ontario, led by the Ontario Centre of Innovation, that supports the development of automotive technologies, including connected, autonomous and electric and low-carbon vehicles.
A new partnership will help University of Windsor researchers commercialize innovative automotive technologies and support entrepreneurship. (PETER MARVAL/University of Windsor)
Launched in 2024, OVIN Incubators is designed to help researchers and entrepreneurs commercialize intellectual property developed in Ontario and create new companies to be based in the province.
The main source of support and funding for the UWindsor initiatives will come through the New Venture Creation Fund, administered under OVIN Incubators. The four- to 10-month program is designed to help researchers and students turn ideas developed in the lab into startup companies that solve major automotive challenges.