Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) Programs

Turning a promising idea into a market-ready technology often requires more than internal resources. For Ontario startups and growing companies, the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) Programs offer a way to bridge that gap by pairing businesses with the research strength of colleges and universities across the province. Delivered by the Ontario Centre of Innovation, these programs are built around collaboration, helping companies move faster on product development, validation, and commercialization by working directly with academic experts.

The OCE suite of programs supports innovation-driven projects in sectors such as information technology, clean technology, healthcare and medical devices, and advanced manufacturing. Funding is non-repayable and can range from tens of thousands of dollars to several hundred thousand, depending on the scope of the project and the level of partner involvement. Beyond financial support, companies benefit from shared expertise, access to specialized facilities, and opportunities to de-risk technical challenges before scaling. Many participating businesses use this support to develop prototypes, apply artificial intelligence, improve manufacturing processes, or validate new solutions with real-world data.

These programs are particularly relevant for Ontario-based startups and SMEs that see collaboration as a strategic advantage and are ready to invest alongside public and academic partners. With applications generally open on an ongoing basis, exploring the full program details can help determine whether an OCE partnership fits your innovation and growth plans.