Collaborate 2 Commercialize (C2C) Program – Ontario Centers of Innovation (2022)
Description:
The Collaborate 2 Commercialize (C2C) Program supports the collaboration between Academia and Industry to solve an industry‐based problem and drive the commercialization of Intellectual Property (IP). The institution will leverage the unique skills and specialized infrastructure that is instrumental to streamline internal innovations and commercialization needs.
Eligible C2C applicants can also leverage funds from several federal Co-Funding Partners, through a streamlined, single-application process. Current Co-Funding Partners include:
1. NSERC – Alliance (funding);
2. NSERC – ARD (funding);
3. Mitacs Accelerate (funding);
4. Southern Ontario Smart Computing for Innovation Platform (SOSCIP) (free access to IBM software and individualized technical support from project conception through project completion).
Comments on Funding:
Funding is up to 50% of total eligible project costs and ranges from $20,000 to $150,000 to the post-secondary institution (minimum $20,000 per year).
The Industry Partner cash contribution is 1:1 with OCE. Minimum 50% of the 1:1 match must be spent at the post-secondary institution; remainder may be spent at the company.
Funds and support from current Co-Funding Partners include:
- NSERC – Alliance:
- OCI – $20,000 to $30,000;
- NSERC – $20,000 to $30,000;
- Industry partner matching – minimum $30,000, out of which minimum 50% must be spent at the academic institution.
- NSERC – ARD:
- OCI – $20,000 to $30,000;
- NSERC – $20,000 to $30,000;
- Industry partner matching – minimum $30,000, out of which minimum 50% must be spent at the academic institution.
- Mitacs Accelerate:
- maximum Mitacs investment is $7,500 per intern per four-to six-month internship unit;
- Industry partner matching – minimum $7,500 per intern per four-to six-month internship unit.
- Southern Ontario Smart Computing for Innovation Platform (SOSCIP) provides advanced computing platforms that feature three distinct and unique systems. This provides academic and industry researchers with a competitive advantage not available anywhere else in Canada. SOSCIP provides free access to IBM software and individualized technical support from project conception through project completion.
Eligibility:
Applicants must:
- incorporated in Ontario for a minimum of two years and with a valid CRA business number;
- with a minimum of five full-time equivalent (FTE) employees in Ontario; is using or developing technology innovation or innovative processes for competitive advantage in provincial, national and/or global markets;
- with operations and/or R&D in Ontario related to the project and capacity to apply, exploit and/or commercialize results of the project for the economic benefit of Ontario;
- in good financial and reporting standing with OCI;
- with the necessary expertise and resources to put the project into effect within an appropriate timeframe.
A company cannot hold more than $150,000 in C2C funding at one time, or $525,000 of Industry‐Academic Collaborative Grants/Investments in a lifetime. Companies with over $150,000 in active VIP projects must complete those projects (including all final reporting) prior to OCI considering other applications for funding. Exemptions to this rule must be authorized by the VP, BD and provided by the PM and Program Lead with the application.
Applications Steps:

When It Ends:
Ongoing
Deadline:
Rolling deadline