If your Ontario business has a promising innovation but needs academic expertise to develop it into a commercial product, the Collaborate 2 Commercialize (C2C) Ontario program is designed for that gap. Delivered by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), C2C helps businesses work with universities or colleges. The goal is to turn research into commercial products within a clear timeline. Funding is shared, competitive, and focused on real market outcomes.
Collaborate 2 Commercialize (C2C) is an Ontario government–supported program that funds businesses working with universities or colleges. The purpose is to help Ontario businesses commercialize research results and solve industry problems that lead to revenue, jobs, and future investment.
Key facts at a glance:
Projects must show a clear path to commercialization within three years after the project ends.
To qualify for Collaborate 2 Commercialize Ontario, both the business and the project must meet specific criteria.
Your business must:
You must collaborate with:
You cannot apply without an academic partner. This collaboration is mandatory.
Funded projects typically involve:
Projects focused only on basic research, with no clear commercial outcome, are not a good fit.
C2C funding is designed to share risk between industry and government.
For example, a $200,000 project could receive up to $100,000 in C2C funding, with your business covering the rest.
Eligible costs often include:
The Collaborate 2 Commercialize Ontario application process is structured but manageable if you prepare early.
Define the commercial problem
Start with a clear market need, not just a research question.
Secure an academic partner
Align early on scope, IP, timelines, and roles.
Build a commercialization plan
Show how results will become commercial products within three years.
Prepare the OCI application
Include budget, milestones, and expected outcomes.
Submit through OCI
Applications are reviewed competitively.
GrantHub can help you identify programs like C2C and filter Ontario commercialization funding options to confirm whether they fit your business profile before you invest time in the application.
Applying without a strong academic partner
OCI expects real collaboration, not a last-minute letter of support.
Weak commercialization timelines
If you cannot explain how revenue or adoption happens within three years, your application will struggle.
Underestimating your cash contribution
You must fund at least 50% of the project. In-kind support alone is usually not enough.
Focusing only on research outcomes
Reviewers care about market impact, not just technical success.
Q: Who can apply for Collaborate 2 Commercialize funding?
Ontario-based, for-profit businesses can apply as long as they lead the project and partner with a publicly funded Ontario university or college.
Q: Do I need a university or college partner to apply?
Yes. Collaboration with a publicly funded academic institution is mandatory for C2C funding.
Q: How long do I have to commercialize the results?
Your project must show a path to commercialization within three years after the project is completed.
Q: What types of projects are not eligible?
Projects focused only on basic research, with no defined commercial application or market demand, are generally not eligible.
Q: Is Collaborate 2 Commercialize funding taxable?
Most government grants are considered taxable income. Speak with your accountant to confirm how C2C funding applies to your business.
If you are exploring Collaborate 2 Commercialize Ontario, you may also want to review:
Collaborate 2 Commercialize Ontario works best for businesses that are ready to develop research into commercial products and not just explore ideas. GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada, including Ontario commercialization funding, and can help you identify which ones match your industry, stage, and location.
Was this article helpful?
Rate it so we can improve our content.
Canada Proactive Disclosure Data
The Canadian government has funded over 400,000 businesses through 1.27 million grants and contributions. Check your eligibility in 60 seconds.