Greater Sudbury, ON — Monday, May 25, 2026 — The Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network is renewing its Northern Ontario Regional Technology Development Site (RTDS), branded as Core5, one of nine OVIN regional sites across Ontario.
The Government of Ontario, through OVIN, will invest up to $2.5 million, which is supported by $4.14 million in private-sector contributions and $2.1 million in public-sector contributions, bringing the total investment to $8.74 million.
This funding will help small- and medium-sized enterprises across Northern Ontario, including in Greater Sudbury, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Temiskaming Shores, Timmins, and Thunder Bay to develop, test, and bring new electric vehicle, mining electrification, and smart mobility technologies to market.
The full RTDS network, announced on February 6 by the Honourable Victor Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, is supported by a $17.5 million investment from the Government of Ontario through OVIN. This investment is matched by $32.8 million from industry and over $19.3 million from the broader public sector, bringing the total investment to nearly $70 million.
Coordinating a network of more than 20 partners, Core5 brings together post-secondary institutions, regional innovation centres, incubators and accelerators, municipal and regional resources, industry and other regional collaborators to help businesses develop Ontario’s EV supply chain, including initial critical minerals refining, downstream battery cell design, and EV powertrain, manufacturing, and other related EV technologies.
With access to more than 70,000 square feet of combined R&D space, over 3 kilometres of underground mine, and state-of-the-art testing equipment, the Core5 network unlocks unmatched opportunities for SMEs to validate and scale solutions. Supported by OVIN’s RTDS initiative, Core5 helps SMEs reduce risk, accelerate time-to-market, and scale innovative electrification technologies across Northern Ontario These investments are further positioning Ontario as a leader in sustainable mobility, advanced electrification, and smart transportation innovation.
Quotes:
"NORCAT is proud to continue supporting Core5 and the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network as we help accelerate the development, testing, and commercialization of technologies that are shaping the future of mining, mobility, and critical minerals. Northern Ontario offers a globally significant environment for innovation, with the talent, infrastructure, industry partnerships, and real-world testing conditions needed to help companies bring their solutions to market. This renewed investment strengthens our region’s role in building Ontario’s electric vehicle supply chain, advancing mining electrification, and creating meaningful economic opportunities for communities across the North."
Pejman Salehi, Chief Executive Officer, NORCAT
"Greater Sudbury is proud to play a leading role in Ontario’s growing mining electrification and critical minerals ecosystem. The renewal of Core5 through OVIN is a strong vote of confidence in Northern Ontario’s innovation capacity, world-class mining expertise and growing clean technology sector. This investment will help local companies accelerate made-in-Ontario solutions, create high-quality jobs and further strengthen Greater Sudbury’s position as a global hub for mining technology and advanced research."
Paul Lefebvre, Mayor, City of Greater Sudbury
"Through Core5, local businesses and researchers have access to the tools, facilities, and partnerships they need to test ideas, grow, and compete globally. This investment helps ensure businesses in North Bay and other Northern Ontario communities continue to play a role in the clean transportation and critical minerals sector."
Peter Chirico, Mayor, North Bay
"As a global leader in the automotive and mobility sector, Ontario is driving the transformation towards a connected, electric future. The OVIN Regional Technology 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 continued support from OVIN is a powerful validation of the work our network has done and a signal of where we are headed. It equips Northern Ontario with the long-term stability to evolve alongside the industry and enables the ecosystem to continue championing specialized R&D capabilities. Ultimately, we are ensuring that innovation born in the North has a clear, accelerated path to succeed in the global market, all while creating jobs and driving economic resilience right here at home."
Brendan Skiffington, Manager, NORCAT Innovation
"Through the work completed under the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) and the Regional Technology Development Sites such as Core5, we’ve seen firsthand how strategic collaboration, world-class facilities, and targeted support accelerate innovation and competitiveness for companies right here in Northern Ontario. By connecting startups, SMEs, research institutions and industry partners with real R&D infrastructure, testing environments, and commercialization pathways, OVIN supports Ontario-made technologies to scale faster and compete globally, advancing economic growth, creating jobs, and strengthening our position in the future of smart mobility and clean transportation. Innovation Initiatives Ontario North (IION) are proud to have been part of this momentum and look forward to working with Core5 through OVIN 2.0 to deepen regional impact, expand opportunities for innovators, and continue driving northern and provincial prosperity."
Matthew Doherty, Executive Director of Innovation Initiatives Ontario North (IION)
"Capitalizing on the success of the first Northern Regional Technology Development Site, Cambrian College’s Centre for Smart Mining is poised to continue offering its cutting-edge services to critical mineral and mobility across the province. Funding like this from the Government of Ontario through OVIN, makes the province an attractive district for investment and innovation this emerging and important sector."
Steve Gravel, Manager of the Centre for Smart Mining
"Canadore College’s ICAMP is proud to once again be a recognized?partner in one of Ontario’s nine OVIN Regional Technology Development Sites. We are grateful for the continued support of the Government of Ontario through OVIN, which enables us to expand our applied research capacity and help Northern Ontario innovators and manufacturers accelerate their automotive and mobility technology solutions."
Brad Gavan, Director of ICAMP, Corporate, Community and Partnership Development
About Core5
Core5 is one of nine regional technology development sites within the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), advancing next-generation electric, connected, and autonomous vehicle and mobility technologies. Serving Northern Ontario, Core5 brings together innovation centres, R&D and testing facilities, academic institutions, and municipal partners to provide companies with access to specialized expertise, advanced facilities, and real-world pilot opportunities that accelerate commercialization and strengthen Ontario’s advanced manufacturing and critical minerals value chain.
About NORCAT
NORCAT is a global leader in skilled labour training and innovation services, focused on enhancing productivity and safety in the resource sector while supporting the growth of technology-driven companies. As Sudbury’s Regional Innovation Centre, NORCAT Innovation provides early-stage startups with mentorship, industry connections, and access to capital programs, including Core5. NORCAT is also home to the NORCAT Underground Centre, an operating mine and active laboratory where emerging technologies are developed, tested, and demonstrated in collaboration with global mining companies and innovative startups.
About Cambrian R&D
Cambrian R&D is a leading applied research and development hub embedded within Cambrian College, offering companies access to faculty expertise, student talent, equipment, and funding supports to tackle complex R&D challenges. Focused on advancing innovation from idea through commercialization, Cambrian R&D supports small and medium enterprises, community partners, and industry projects that strengthen competitiveness and economic impact across Northern Ontario.
About Innovation Initiatives Ontario North (IION)
Innovation Initiatives Ontario North is a Regional Innovation Centre that supports entrepreneurs, start-ups, and growing companies across Northern Ontario. IION provides business advisory services, funding navigation, in-house programs, access to subject-matter experts, and market intelligence to help companies develop, commercialize, and scale. Based in North Bay, IION serves the Nipissing, Timiskaming, Parry Sound, and Muskoka regions and plays a key role in strengthening the regional economy.
About Timmins Economic Development Corporation (TEDC)
The Timmins Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) is the lead economic development agency for the City of Timmins, focused on attracting investment, supporting business growth, and strengthening the local economy. TEDC works collaboratively with industry, entrepreneurs, and community partners to promote Timmins as a competitive destination for businesses across key sectors including mining supply and services, manufacturing, forestry, and emerging technologies. Through strategic initiatives, business advisory services, and investment attraction efforts, TEDC drives sustainable economic growth and long-term prosperity for the region.
About 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: https://www.ovinhub.ca.
OVIN Media Inquiries: Alicia Pereira, apereira@oc-innovation.ca
RTDS Media Contact: Cynthia Furlotte, cfurlotte@norcat.org