York Region announced as OVIN Regional Technology Development Site

Newmarket – The Regional Municipality of York has been named an Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) Regional Technology Development Site (RTDS). The York Region RTDS will assist entrepreneurs and businesses bridge the gap between research and development and commercialization.

Supported by an investment of up to $2.5 million from the Government of Ontario through OVIN, the York Region RTDS will include a $4.4 million contribution from York Region and other public sector partners and more than $8 million from private sector partners for a total investment of nearly $15 million.

“York Region is proud to be named one of OVIN’s Regional Technology Development Sites,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Eric Jolliffe. “This multi-million dollar investment strengthens our position as a leader in Ontario’s innovation and smart mobility ecosystem, creating environments where technology can be developed, tested and brought to market, ensuring York Region remains a place where businesses and talent thrive and grow.”

The York Region RTDS is one of nine OVIN RTDS locations in Ontario announced by Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Minister Victor Fedeli in February 2026. The sites help small and medium-sized enterprises develop, test and prototype new automotive and smart mobility technologies.

The York Region RTDS is supported by the Region’s nine municipalities in addition to a network of private-sector partners. These include Siemens, The MathWorks, Google Cloud, DVLR Electric, FyeLabs, Megalab Group, Würth Elektronik, Innovance Solutions, Bhole IP Law, Mantle, ZerotoOne Strategic, Ramudden Digital, Synopsys, SolidWorks, OVHcloud and Microart Services.

Delivered in partnership with York University and ventureLAB, the York RTDS features 12 integrated offerings spanning from ideation to commercialization.

York University’s YSpace offers the SmartTO stream where companies can access cutting-edge labs, research and talent in areas like smart materials, electrification and system reliability. With ventureLAB, firms benefit through the Hardware Catalyst Initiative (HCI), Canada's only hardware and semiconductor-focused lab and accelerator program enabling deep-tech entrepreneurs to commercialize transformative technologies.

York Region complements strong resources from strategic partners with critical infrastructure and real-world testing environments, including YorkNet’s dark fibre network, municipal fleet vehicles, open data sets and promotional support to help businesses pilot, validate and scale their technologies.

For more information on the RTDS in York Region, visit YorkLink.ca/RTDS

Additional Quotes

“ventureLAB’s longstanding relationship with York Region has already proven how regional collaboration accelerates real-world success for Ontario SMEs, we are proud to continue as a key partner of the York Region RTDS, enabling homegrown automobility ventures to scale their technologies and create jobs locally. We look forward to advancing our work positioning Ontario at the forefront of global mobility innovation while strengthening the foundation for future regional prosperity and economic growth.”

-    Hugh Chow, CEO, ventureLAB

“York University and York Region are proud to once again join forces on an initiative that advances innovation and sustainable mobility solutions for our communities. Through YSpace’s SmartTO program, we are creating opportunities for industry, researchers and government partners to collaborate on transformative approaches to smart mobility, from electrification to micromobility and connected transportation systems. By leveraging York University’s interdisciplinary expertise and our campus living lab environment, we are accelerating made-in-Canada innovation while driving meaningful economic, environmental and social impact.”

-    Amir Asif, Vice President Research and Innovation, York University

“As a global leader in the automotive and mobility sector, Ontario is driving the transformation towards a connected, electric future. The OVIN Regional Technology Development Sites provide Ontario-based SMEs access to an extensive network of support and expertise and reduce barriers for start-ups and companies to create homegrown solutions to meet not only Ontario’s needs, but those of customers all across the globe, to drive our economy forward.”

-    Raed Kadri, Head of the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) at OCI

"Through OVIN, Ontario is creating a province-wide network that turns regional innovation into real economic impact, by establishing nine Regional Technology Development Sites, we’re giving SMEs access to world-class infrastructure and expertise that helps them commercialize faster, strengthen supply chains, and compete globally. This investment ensures that made-in-Ontario mobility solutions drive jobs, growth, and long-term competitiveness across the province.”

-    Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO of the Ontario Centre of Innovation

“The Town of Aurora is proud to support the York Region Regional Technology Development Site. Through the testing and engineering expertise of Aurora based Megalab Group, businesses will be supported as they develop and validate new technologies. This partnership strengthens our shared commitment to innovation and economic growth.” 

-    Tom Mrakas, Mayor of the Town of Aurora

“East Gwillimbury is pleased to be part of this important Regional initiative. The York Region RTDS will give entrepreneurs greater access to the resources and support they need to develop and commercialize new mobility technologies, ensuring our community continues to thrive.” 

-    Virginia Hackson, Mayor of the Town of East Gwillimbury

“This significant investment opens new doors for entrepreneurs and businesses to access resources that help them innovate. We look forward to seeing how the RTDS will create opportunities across York Region, including the growing business community in the Town of Georgina.” 

-    Margaret Quirk, Mayor of the Town of Georgina

“The Township of King is pleased to join our Regional partners in supporting the York Region RTDS. This initiative will help connect local companies with the expertise and resources they need to accelerate development in areas like smart mobility and electrification.”  

-    Steve Pellegrini, Mayor of the Township of King

“The City of Markham is the right fit for the York Region RTDS, as a leading Canadian centre for technology and innovation. Local innovation partners ventureLAB and York University’s YSpace, both located in Markham, contribute to a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem that helps companies grow and scale. OVIN's initiative will further strengthen the opportunities for local companies to develop and commercialize the next generation of made in Ontario technologies.” 

-    Frank Scarpitti, Mayor of the City of Markham

“The York Region RTDS will help companies bring new mobility solutions to market while strengthening the Town of Newmarket’s role in the Region’s innovation ecosystem.”

-    John Taylor, Mayor of the Town of Newmarket

“The City of Richmond Hill is proud to be part of the OVIN Regional Technology Development Site, which builds on our strong foundation of skilled talent, partnerships and innovative businesses. We look forward to seeing the RTDS drive new opportunities for our residents and businesses.” 

-    David West, Mayor of the City of Richmond Hill

“The City of Vaughan is home to a dynamic community of entrepreneurs and scale ups, and this investment in partnership with our Vaughan Demonstration Zone will provide them with the tools needed to bring innovative mobility technologies to market. We are proud that Ramudden Digital, one of the RTDS partner companies, is based in Vaughan and contributing to this important Regional initiative.” 

-    Steven Del Duca, Mayor of the City of Vaughan

“The Town of Whitchurch Stouffville is proud to join our Regional partners in supporting the York Region RTDS. This collaborative investment positions York Region for long term success by fostering innovation and preparing our communities for the future of mobility. We look forward to seeing how the RTDS will help businesses and entrepreneurs grow and contribute to a stronger, more competitive economy in Whitchurch-Stouffville and the Region.” 

-    Iain Lovatt, Mayor of the Town of Whitchurch Stouffville

About York Region

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to more than 1.3 million residents and over 58,000 businesses with 624,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/RegionalServices

About the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) 

OVIN is an initiative of the Government of Ontario, led by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), designed to reinforce Ontario’s position as a North American leader in advanced automotive technology and smart mobility solutions such as connected vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and electric and low-carbon vehicle technologies.

Through resources such as research and development (R&D) support, talent and skills development, technology acceleration, business and technical supports, and demonstration grounds, OVIN provides a competitive advantage to Ontario-made automotive and mobility technology companies. For more information: ovinhub.ca

About York University 

York University is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for success. York's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. York’s campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

About ventureLAB

‍ventureLAB is a leading global founder community for hardware technology and deep tech companies in Canada. Located at the heart of Ontario’s innovation corridor in York Region, ventureLAB is part of one of the biggest and most diverse tech communities in Canada. Our initiatives focused on raising capital, talent retention, commercializing technology and IP, and customer acquisition have enabled thousands of companies to create over 7,800 jobs and raise more than $530 million in investment capital. ventureLAB is powering hardtech founders to build and scale globally competitive ventures that advance Canada’s knowledge-based economy.

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Media Contact:

Stephanie Crowley, Corporate Communications, The Regional Municipality of York
Phone: 289-763-2598
Email: @email