PARTENAR-IA — INNOVÉÉ — Industry

For Quebec businesses looking to turn artificial intelligence research into real-world innovation, especially in energy and electrification, the PARTENAR-IA — INNOVÉÉ — Industry program opens the door to ambitious, collaborative projects. Designed for companies that want to move beyond internal R&D, this initiative supports partnerships between businesses and research centres to develop and validate advanced AI solutions tied to the electricity sector, including smart grids, transportation electrification, and intelligent vehicle technologies.

Delivered by InnovÉÉ, the program provides non-repayable funding that can reach close to $2 million per project, helping offset a significant share of development costs. It is particularly relevant for SMEs and high-growth startups, but larger companies can also participate when working within a consortium. Projects often span from early planning through to pre-commercial demonstrations, and may include access to specialized infrastructure such as high-performance or quantum computing through Quebec-based platforms. Beyond funding, InnovÉÉ actively supports participating teams throughout project structuring and execution, which can be especially valuable for first-time collaborative R&D initiatives.

This call for projects is well suited to businesses aiming to strengthen competitiveness through responsible AI, bring innovative technologies to market faster, and create near-term economic impact in Quebec. For companies considering a structured AI partnership but needing clarity on fit, requirements, and next steps, exploring the full program details can help determine whether this opportunity aligns with their innovation strategy.