Mitacs and North Forge partner to strengthen innovation across Manitoban start-ups and companies

Winnipeg, MB — Mitacs, a national innovation leader that bridges academia and industry, and North Forge, an award-winning not-for-profit tech incubator and state-of-the-art fabrication lab, are partnering to strengthen innovation ecosystems and create new pathways for collaboration across the province to support industry-driven innovation and economic growth.   

The partnership will explore pilot initiatives, thought leadership, and knowledge sharing that advance shared goals in innovation, R&D, and commercialization. Through stronger referral pathways and complementary programming, the partnership will also open new opportunities for industry-academia collaboration. 

Mitacs places top-tier talent in Canadian firms, to support industry-academia collaboration — helping Canadian businesses compete globally while developing the next generation of a skilled and innovative workforce. North Forge hosts one of North America’s largest publicly accessible fabrication labs (FabLab™), where startups and makers have access to cutting-edge tools and technologies to bring their visions to life.  

Between 2018-19 and 2024-25 in Manitoba, Mitacs invested more than $42 million across over 1,100 innovation projects with over 1,500 interns and nearly 400 industry partners.

Quotes 

“Mitacs is proud to partner with North Forge, creating stronger pathways to commercialization for Canadian start-ups and small- to medium-sized companies. Together, we’ll pilot initiatives and foster knowledge sharing partnerships that advance our mutual goal of increasing Canada’s productivity through innovation, R&D, and collaboration.”

Dr. Stephen Lucas, CEO, Mitacs 

“This partnership with Mitacs strengthens how we support innovation in Manitoba. By connecting startups to research, talent, and new collaboration opportunities, we are helping more ideas move from concept to commercialization. Together, we are building a stronger, more competitive innovation ecosystem that drives real economic growth.”  

Joelle Foster, CEO and President, North Forge 

About Mitacs 

For over 25 years, Mitacs has helped grow the economy and develop the workforce of tomorrow, connecting industry with academia and global partners to solve real-world challenges. We support business-academic research collaboration through internships, co-funded with businesses, for undergraduate to graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. 

As a national innovation connector, Mitacs takes a talent-first approach to strengthen innovation capacity and drive global competitiveness. We serve as an essential research-commercialization bridge, accelerating market entry and growth for new products and services.  

This is a critical time for Canada to think big and take bold action. Mitacs is ready to help build a strong and resilient Canadian economy, powered by ideas, talent and innovation.    

Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon. 

About North Forge 

North Forge is an award-winning not-for-profit tech incubator and state-of-the-art fabrication lab. We fuel Manitoba’s innovative science-based, technology-enabled, and advanced manufacturing startups from ideation to investor readiness by offering unparalleled programming and resources to help startups grow. Our facilities boast one of North America’s largest publicly accessible fabrication labs (FabLab), where startups have access to cutting-edge tools and technologies. Join a community that drives innovation and builds connections.

Media Contacts 

Mitacs: 

Caroline Dobuzinskis
Manager, Communications & Public Affairs
Mitacs
[email protected] | 236-334-3863 

Ziona Eyob
Senior Communications & Public Affairs Specialist
Mitacs
[email protected]

North Forge:
Joelle Foster
President and CEO, North Forge
[email protected]
204-390-6144