What are the Superclusters doing now?

It all started with a big, bold idea… And today, we have 5 industry led Innovation Superclusters that capitalize on traditional and current regional strengths, as we ambitiously prepare for tomorrow’s economy. The Innovation Superclusters Initiative is a flagship investment in the areas that will be the world-leading ecosystems of tomorrow. 

Check out this video to learn what a Supercluster actually does.

The Superclusters represent an unprecedented collaboration of more than 450 businesses, including more than 300 SMEs, 60 post-secondary institutions and 180 other participants from across Canada’s innovative industries. This initiative will create 50,000 middle-class jobs across Canada and grow our economy by $50 billion over ten years.

To date, 14 projects have been announced across the five Superclusters, with expected funding contributions from the Innovation Superclusters Initiative of $28.7 million, leveraging an expected additional $40 million from private industry and other partners.

Take a look at the incredible work the Superclusters are supporting across the country: 

The NGen Supercluster is gearing up to be a global hub for some of the world’s most advanced manufacturing. Their first project is an important first step for the game-changing work of the Supercluster, and will drive innovation in the treatment of diseases and genetic disorders once considered untreatable. With our government's targeted action, and building on nation's existing strengths, we are positioning Canada as a leader in the global innovation race.

"It speaks volumes about what can happen when you get not-for-profits, academic institutions and the private sector collaborating. It is really going to give us an amazing opportunity to highlight many of the amazing companies we have in the Kitchener and Waterloo Region." - Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor of Kitchener

The Digital Tech Supercluster is working to unlock the power of data. Their first seven projects are harnessing data by using cloud-based technologies to speed up the detection of skin cancer, using digital twinning to increase the efficiency of industrial production, and supporting an industrial Internet of Things platform to improve how we use forestry resources. These are a big step forward in advancing data and digital technologies, and will have resounding impacts across our country. 

As the world looks beyond animal proteins as a way to control greenhouse gas emissions, and to feed a growing global population, the Protein Supercluster will play a crucial role in Canada’s effort to meet global demand for plant-based proteins. Their first project is going to help foster new and innovative processing technologies that will increase the value of key Canadian crops popular in foreign markets. 

"Protein is what the world is demanding today. When we look at growth in population and rising incomes in Asia, I want us to have an opportunity to take advantage of $33 trillion in middle-class spending growth in Asia." - Murad Al-Katib, President and CEO, AGT Food and Ingredients

SCALE.AI is transforming the AI sector, creating good jobs here at home and establishing Canada as a global leader in AI. Their first set of projects announced in June will see companies explore ways AI can be used to reduce costs and improve efficiencies across the board in the consumer goods, farming, telecom and shipping sectors.

“These advanced chains will enable our manufacturing industry as well as the retail sector to automatically predict customer demand and customize the products they offer." - The Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montréal

The Ocean Supercluster is establishing Atlantic Canada as a global hub for ocean innovation. Their first project will be led by Kraken Robotic Systems Inc to develop an underwater technology service hub and provide images of the sea floor. Better knowledge of our seafloors helps us protect important habitat while extracting the full value from this rich ecosystem in a sustainable way.