Mitacs and Vimy Forge partner to strengthen Canada’s defence innovation ecosystem

Burnaby, BC — Today, Mitacs and Vimy Forge announced a new partnership to accelerate the development and commercialization of strategic technologies in Canada’s defence and security sectors. The agreement, signed by Dr. Stephen Lucas, CEO of Mitacs, and Duncan McSporran, Managing Director of Vimy Forge, will connect researchers, industry, and defence innovators to drive economic growth, talent development, and national resilience. The signing ceremony, hosted at Cellula Robotics in Burnaby, B.C., brought together innovation leaders from across Canada, representing the rich collaboration required for homegrown technologies to scale and succeed.

The partnership will support industrial innovations that advance Canadian sovereign capabilities in areas identified in Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS). By pairing Mitacs’ innovation network and talent pipeline with Vimy Forge’s expertise in defence and dual-use technologies, the collaboration will help to establish a pathway from research to commercialization and procurement, with the goal of bringing Canadian defence innovations to market and mission readiness faster.

It’s a direct response to Canada’s growing need for sovereign innovation capacity — accelerating technologies that strengthen economic competitiveness, security, and resilience, while forging stronger ties among academia, startups, SMEs, industry, and government to advance made-in-Canada solutions.

Quick Facts

• Cellula Robotics is a member of defence accelerator Vimy Forge’s inaugural cohort of nine defence innovators announced earlier this year
• Since 2018, Mitacs has invested $1.68B in R&D and supported 42,000 innovation projects
• Mitacs works with over 200 postsecondary institutions and 12,500 companies in Canada
• Launched in Spring 2026, the Mitacs Accelerate Defence and Security Call co-funds eligible projects in strategic sectors including aerospace, training and simulation, sensors, space, specialized manufacturing, uncrewed systems, quantum science, and Arctic sovereignty

Quotes

“Connections between industry, academia, and government are essential to accelerating the development of Canadian technologies that meet critical defence and security needs. Through this partnership with Vimy Forge, Mitacs is expanding opportunities for innovative businesses, students, and researchers to collaborate on solutions that strengthen Canada’s sovereign capabilities, create economic value, and invest in the highly skilled workforce of tomorrow

— Dr. Stephen Lucas, CEO, Mitacs

“This partnership is about building the frameworks that let Canadian companies own their IP and move swiftly from concept to commercially viable product. Vimy Forge exists to close the gap between promising defence technology and companies that can actually deliver it — to the Canadian Armed Forces, to our allies, and to the market. By collaborating with Mitacs to connect their research and talent network directly into that pathway, we’re giving innovators a faster, more Canadian-owned route from concept to procurement, and turning that intellectual property into lasting economic value here at home.”

— Duncan McSporran, Managing Director, Vimy Forge

“Cellula Robotics is proud to have been selected as a participant in Vimy Forge’s inaugural cohort, Black Flight, and we are pleased to host this signing of an MOU between Vimy Forge and Mitacs. Cellula’s experience during the Black Flight Sprints has resulted in valuable connections with fellow members of Black Flight and the presenters. Black Flight has benefited from the quality of the briefings and the experiences curated by the staff. We applaud the financial contributions Vimy Forge has received from the Defense Industrial Strategy and other government entities, as this is the kind of support that Canadian small and medium enterprises like Cellula Robotics need to build and sustain sovereign Canadian defense supply chains.”

— Neil Manning, CEO, Cellula Robotics

To learn more about the Mitacs Accelerate Defence and Security call, open until August 17, 2026, visit: https://innovation.mitacs.ca/en/mitacs-accelerate-defence-and-security-call

About Mitacs

Mitacs delivers the return on innovation Canada needs now by connecting big ideas, people, and ambition to turn potential into results. Mitacs co-funds innovation partnerships that get Canada’s researchers and businesses where they need to go.

Mitacs partners innovate faster. Commercialize sooner. Compete globally. Scale and grow stronger. We open the door to opportunity, creating jobs and equipping students and postdoctoral researchers with skills, industry experience, and professional networks.

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 Vimy Forge

Vimy Forge is a public–private partnership that is closing the gap between Canadian innovation and defence procurement. We equip Canadian startups and SMEs with the expertise and connections they need to succeed in the defence sector.

Anchored in Fredericton, NB, but built for national impact, Vimy Forge brings together SMEs, academia, industry partners, and government to create the conditions where Canadian solutions can scale and succeed.

With support already in place from partners across the country, the Forge is positioned as a new anchor for Canadian innovation in the defence sector.

About Cellula Robotics

Cellula Robotics Ltd. is an international, privately owned, world-leading marine technology company focused on revolutionizing underwater security through advanced Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) systems.

Headquartered in Burnaby, British Columbia with additional offices on the East Coast of Canada and the United States, Cellula employs over 100 dedicated professionals, including highly skilled engineers, designers, and technicians.