Area X.O

#GCXpo 2024 was one for the books! We’re honoured to be a hub for innovation, enabling and accelerating the safe commercialization and future adoption of homegrown smart mobility solutions. 🚀

Strengthening Ottawa’s Defence, Security, and Aerospace Ecosystem Together Defence and security are the bedrock of Canada’s economic resilience, sovereignty, and innovation. As the nation’s capital, Ottawa is uniquely positioned at the forefront of this mission with one of Canada’s strongest defence, security, and aerospace clusters with: · 190 companies employing 10,000+ skilled workers · A strong mix of dynamic homegrown startups and scaleups, SMEs, and Fortune 500 companies (including CAE, General Dynamics, Raytheon, MDA Space, Thales, Babcock Canada Inc., Lockheed Martin, BMT and more) with vast supply chain opportunities · G7 capital with 170+ foreign missions and HQs for DND, RCMP, Public Safety and Transport Canada · 4 NATO DIANA Test Centres including Area X.O operated by Invest Ottawa and 3 NRC labs · A thriving cybersecurity sector with 100+ firms specializing in vulnerability defence; identity and access management; encryption; security operations; risk and compliance; cybersecurity services; and ancillary services Leveraging our unique strengths, capabilities and expertise, and working in close collaboration with our ecosystem, we are committed to helping innovators, startups, scaleups and SMEs: · Capitalize on growing federal procurement opportunities as Canada strives to meet NATO’s 2% GDP defence spending target · Develop, test, validate and commercialize novel innovations that perform reliably and safely in harsh winter climates that could help protect Arctic sovereignty · Diversify exports to reduce reliance on single markets, driving economic resilience and global competitiveness In support of these goals, our Global Expansion and Area X.O team hosted an Industrial Technology Benefits (ITB) Workshop with nearly 100 participants. Leveraging the expertise of defence authorities, it empowered local startups, scaleups, SMEs, and their collaborators to: · Understand ITB policies and unlock defence sector opportunities · Build relationships with public and private stakeholders, including DND, NRC, and leading multinationals · Leverage Area X.O’s unique capabilities as a NATO DIANA Test Centre and Public Research Institution under ISED’s ITB policy Why it matters: Ottawa innovators and companies have access to unparalleled resources that help them grow their share of the defence market, increase global competitiveness, and create technologies that strengthen Canada’s economy and security. We are committed to helping these companies navigate the defence landscape, seize new client and investment opportunities, and drive transformational growth for our city and nation. A heartfelt thanks to Reba Molotsi, Paul Fortin, Jens-Michael Schaal, our Global Expansion, Area X.O, and Mar/Com teams, all speakers and participants who joined us. Together, we are unlocking new opportunities for defence innovators and companies to thrive in domestic and global markets, while safeguarding Canada’s future through innovation and collaboration.

Ottawa is a Global Smart Mobility Hub This week, it was an honour to celebrate an important Transport Canada - Transports Canada announcement delivered by Ministers Anita Anand and Jenna Sudds in Ottawa's Kanata North Tech Park, the largest of its kind in Canada, The Government of Canada is investing $14.6M in road safety for Canadians through the Enhanced Road Safety Transfer Payment Program: https://lnkd.in/ePJK2xSM The projects focus on impaired driving, distracted and aggressive driving, excessive speed, innovative design, testing, integration of CAVs, and the education, training and enhancement of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) We are thrilled that 4 of the 35 funded projects (totaling almost $4.2M) are driven here in Canada’s Capital: · Kanata North Business Association: Testing and Deployment of a Medium-Speed, Zero-Emission Autonomous Shuttle in Canada’s Largest Tech Park  · Carleton University: Connecting Drivers with ADAS to Optimize Safety in Level 3 AVs · Area X.O, the R&D complex for next-gen smart mobility operated by Invest Ottawa, SMEs, the City of Ottawa, NRC and other partners: Enhancing Road Safety Using ADAS, In-Cabin Sensing Tech, and Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communications to Deliver Real-Time Action Safety Messages · SMATS Traffic Solutions Inc.: Guidance for Posted Speed Limit Reductions in Support of Vision Zero These projects, and many others led by all Ottawa post-secondary institutions, startups, scaleups, SMEs, multinationals and their collaborators reinforce Ottawa's leadership, capabilities, and impact in smart mobility. Together, we are fueling solutions that drive our economy, productivity and impact. Anchored by global leaders like BlackBerry QNX (with systems in 255M+ vehicles worldwide), our thriving smart mobility cluster is comprised of 100+ companies, organizations, and institutions that contribute tech and intelligence to vehicles and smart mobility innovations of the future · More broadly, Ottawa has the highest tech talent concentration in North America (12.6%), and 94,000 tech workers · 4 post-secondary institutions with 128,000 students, 65 gov't labs, 130 embassies and Area X.O On behalf of our entire team: · Heartfelt congratulations to all selected companies and partners · Deep thanks to Transport Canada, Ministers Sudds and Anand and all companies building here Why is this so important? These startups, scaleups and their collaborators will: · Test, validate, refine and commercialize life-saving tech · Collaborate with regulators, industry leaders and researchers on R&D that lead to export-ready solutions · Enable our community to experience tech in action and provide critical feedback · Help shape road and community safety, smart mobility policy, and bring transformative innovations to market safely Together as a collaborative community, we will continue to drive smart mobility innovation, safety, and global impact here in Canada's Capital and across the country.

On behalf of our entire team at Invest Ottawa, sincere congratulations to JC Fahmy and the CENGN - (Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks) team on this major milestone and win for Canada's Capital, our tech industry and our country. We are incredibly excited about the launch of CENGN Living Labs and the associated $45-million investment through ISED’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). This visionary initiative will drive nationwide digital transformation and elevate the global competitiveness of Canada’s most innovative startups and scaleups, including those here in Ottawa, our global tech and business hub. This project is fueled by inspirational collaboration that brings together government, industry partners and 5G network technology leaders including Ericsson, Nokia, Rogers Communications, eight collaborative living labs across the country and the greater Canadian tech ecosystem. It creates an amazing opportunity for innovators, startups and scaleups: • These firms can access these living labs and supporting services through an Innovation Project, enabling them to test, validate, and certify their solutions for market entry or expansion. • Upon project completion, companies are armed with CENGN’s trusted report of the solution’s value and performance. • Alternatively, a startup can participate in an Adoption Project, where they work directly with a potential customer to test and validate their solution against the customer’s needs and requirements, potentially concluding the project with a contract to implement the solution into the customer’s operations. JC and Team CENGN, sincere congratulations once again on this milestone achievement. It is an honour to collaborate with you on many so shared objectives - thank you for this opportunity. Learn more: • Read the PR: https://lnkd.in/eZeZwEiq • Learn more about your opportunity with living labs and submit a proposal: https://lnkd.in/eRUVPFYm

From the team at Area X.O, we wish you and your family a happy and safe holiday season! ❄☃️ Our office will be closed from December 23, 2024, to January 2, 2025. We look forward to supporting you and collaborating with you in the new year. ✨ - Toute l’équipe Zone X.O, vous souhaite, à vous et à votre famille, de très joyeuses fêtes! ❄☃️ Nos bureaux seront fermés du 23 décembre au 2 janvier. Au plaisir de vous accompagner vers le succès en 2025! ✨

𝗞𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗮𝗯, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆. 💡 “Canada is a vast country. Within this vastness is a network of roads, and those roads are key to what we do. We need reliable roads. We need safe roads. Today I am happy to announce $14.6M in funding for 35 projects across the country. One of these projects is being carried out by the Kanata North Business Association, and will test a 𝘇𝗲𝗿𝗼-𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 within a Canadian technology park.” - The Honourable Minister of Transport, Anita Anand 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: 💰 Kanata North's transit solution project will cost $2.2M, with $1.4M provided by Transport Canada - Transports Canada. 🌱 Project will deploy a zero-emissions, medium-speed autonomous vehicle. 🛣️ The vehicle will run a loop through Canada's Largest Tech Park, following extensive testing at Area X.O. 🧪 A natural progression from previous automated shuttle tests, allowing Canada to demonstrate and scale technologies for future applications. ⚠️ Will allow Canada to determine safety aspects and parameters that need to be addressed when putting autonomous shuttles on our roads. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀: 🚘 Support the development and implementation of future transportation solutions. 🎯 Contribute to the creation of evidence-based transportation policy frameworks. 💡 Address federal diversity, equity and inclusion goals. ✅ Validate transportation solutions for the City of Ottawa and the Kanata North Tech Park. 💬 “We’re putting our best foot forward in terms of what transportation will look like.” - Yasir Naqvi 🇨🇦 This is Kanata North embracing the art of the possible and its position as a living lab in Canada's capital region. We are thrilled to test future technologies in our technology park, and hope this research use case will set a blueprint for the future of autonomous vehicles across our nation and others. 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗧𝗣𝗣 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀: Area X.O Invest Ottawa • Aurrigo • EcoSafeSense • CSA Group • Brookstreet Hotel • Deaf AI • Solink • TELUS • University of Ottawa • City of Ottawa / Ville d’Ottawa • Wesley Clover • Zendelity 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eb4AFuv3 📸 Photo via jdlevs, Reddit. Jenna Sudds Kelly Daize Government of Canada Hannah Manierka Cathy Curry Erin Moretto #kanatanorthba #kanatanorth #serioustechliveshere #livinglab Rebecca Wormleighton Sonya Shorey Divyanshu Kamboj Sean Geddes Rebecca Thompson Dana Borschewski Olga A Koppel Omar Choudhry Saoussane Boutarta Patrick Ferris Ben Morris Global News CTV News CBC/Radio-Canada iPolitics Ottawa Business Journal Jessica Roedig

When I was President and Executive Director of the Kanata North Business Association, I made it my job to tell the stories of Kanata firms, celebrate their successes and connect them to one another. I wanted to showcase the incredible talent, innovation and collaboration that occurs here every day. An idea was hatched: an autonomous vehicle shuttle. When I ran federally for MP, I made a promise that together we would bring this idea to life. I’m delighted to share that the Kanata North Business Association is receiving $1.4 million from Transport Canada to deploy a medium-speed zero-emission autonomous vehicle shuttle in Canada’s largest technology park. The shuttle will help connect Kanata North and inform future regulatory frameworks for autonomous vehicles right across the country. I can’t wait to see where this takes us.  Thanks to many of the incredible partners: Kanata North Business Association, Aurrigo, Invest Ottawa, Area X.O, City of Ottawa / Ville d’Ottawa, University of Ottawa, Wesley Clover, Deaf AI, TELUS, Solink, EcoSafeSense, Brookstreet Hotel, Zendelity

We recently had the privilege of hosting the Ontario Trade & Investment Offices delegation for a deep dive into Ottawa’s thriving tech ecosystem. This day-long event showcased the city’s innovation, talent, and infrastructure, reinforcing Ottawa as a prime destination for global investments and collaborations. 💡 Event Highlights: ✅ Engaging discussions with leaders from Siemens Healthineers and Kanata North Technology Park ✅ A collaborative working lunch with local universities, fostering partnerships between academia and industry ✅ Insightful tours of cutting-edge facilities like the Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre, Digital Technologies Research Centre, and Area X.O This visit reinforced Ottawa's role as a hub for technological innovation and economic growth, strengthening ties with international trade and investment leaders. 🤝 🔗 Visit Whyottawa.ca to learn more about our Global Expansion program.

We’re Hiring! 💼 Join the team that’s driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth in Canada’s capital. Invest Ottawa is looking for passionate, talented professionals to fill several exciting roles across our departments. Open Positions: 📌Area X.O: - Business Operations Assistant (12-Month Term) - Field Engineer (12-Month Term) 📌Marketing and Communications: - Vice President, Marketing, Communications & Bayview Impact (Full-Time) 📌Venture Development: - Community Coordinator (12-Month Term) Whether you’re passionate about marketing, operations, venture development, or cutting-edge technology, we have opportunities for you to make an impact and grow with us. 📩 Apply now and help shape the future of innovation and entrepreneurship in Ottawa: https://bit.ly/3koxGWY Tag someone who should join our team or share this post to help us spread the word!

On November 26, Invest Ottawa proudly hosted an impactful Industrial Technology Benefit (ITB) Workshop, bringing together over 75 companies and leading experts to strengthen Ottawa’s defence and aerospace sectors. Highlights from the Workshop: 🎤 Opening remarks from Jens-Michael Schaal, VP, Global Expansion of Invest Ottawa, and Keynote insights from Stephanie Batstone, Managing Partner at NyRAD Inc., on ITB strategies and Ottawa’s defence ecosystem. 💬 A dynamic panel discussion featuring ITB experts from Saab, CFN Consultants, Thales, Fasken, and General Dynamics Mission Systems, sharing actionable advice for SMEs navigating Canada’s ITB policy. 🤝 Networking and partnerships, unlocking growth opportunities for SMEs with prime defence contractors. 💡 The workshop empowered participants with the knowledge and resources to enhance capabilities, foster partnerships, and leverage assets like Area X.O, a NATO DIANA test centre. Together, we’re building a thriving defence and aerospace ecosystem, positioning Ottawa as a global leader in innovation. 🔗 Explore Ottawa’s defence sector through our Global Expansion program: https://bit.ly/4ibqU49