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Innovation

  • CMISA posted an article
    Canadian Mo AlGermozi says graphene makes hull coatings tough, biocide-free and super smooth see more

    Canadian entrepreneur Mo AlGermozi has found a way to put graphene into a hull coating and apply it to ships. The result, he said, is a coating that is tough enough to handle icy waters, does not have any biocides but keeps hull growth to a minimum and is extremely smooth so vessel performance does not deteriorate. His start-up is Graphite Innovation & Technologies (GIT), a spin-off from his research into graphite at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia about a decade ago. After he discovered how to make his own graphene from graphite while studying material engineering, he and co-founder Marciel Gaier launched GIT to focus on the maritime industry.

    The company now has several vessels’ hulls coated with his product and has moved to bigger offices, still in Nova Scotia.

    View Full Article Here

     January 19, 2024
  • CMISA posted an article
    IDEaS Innovator Update see more

    Four innovators have been awarded funding to further develop their promising concepts under the Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (CUAS) concept development call for proposals. The concepts are looking at ways to detect and defeat micro and mini drones. The ultimate goal would be to integrate these systems into the broader military command and control system. Visit the CUAS Concept Development web page for the list of innovators who are working in this critical space.

    Have a promising concept you would like to develop and missed the first call? A second call for CUAS concepts is currently underway and closes on April 15, 2024, at 2:00 PM EDT. As with the first call, innovators will be eligible for up to $2.5 million in funding per project to advance their concepts into tangible technology, ready to be tested in a real-world environment!

     February 23, 2024
  • CMISA posted an article
    The next generation of shipping and port technologies is rapidly evolving see more

    The Port of Riga has joined a consortium of Latvia, the UK and Canada to develop a solution for a single Remote Operations Centre (ROC).

    Last week, maritime and ICT professionals along with researchers from the three countries took part in a workshop held at the Freeport of Riga Authority. Together, they will collaborate on developing a solution for Remote Operation and Control (ROC) platform. This platform will serve as the foundation for an advanced testing facility for shipping and port operations in each of the project partner countries.

    The project’s lead partner is the UK maritime innovation company On The Layline Limited.

    The Canadian partners are the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University at St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador and St. John’- based Angler Solutions, a consulting firm specialized in the evolving energy and ocean technology sectors.

    ROC project partners from Latvia are the Freeports of Riga and Ventspils, Liepaja SEZ, as well as Latvijas Mobilais Telefons (LMT) and Riga Technical University (RTU).

    View Full Article Online

     February 26, 2024
  • CMISA posted an article
    CUAS Sandbox and Pop-up city Contest see more

     

    Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (CUAS) Sandbox 2024

    It’s back! After successful Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (CUAS) Sandboxes in 2019 and 2022, the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program is preparing for the next CUAS Sandbox in 2024. The Call for Applications (CFA) is now open. As CUAS technology rapidly evolves, we are on the hunt for the latest CUAS developments with specific interest in kinetic, laser, microwave, and other hard-kill solutions.

    New for the 2024 CUAS Sandbox: IDEaS will be awarding Sandbox prizes, with $1 million for first place, $500,000 for second place, and $250,000 for third place!

    As with previous CUAS Sandboxes, innovators can expect:

    • Up to five days of your free, personal full-time use of our fully equipped CUAS test range including targets.
    • On-site one-on-one continual interaction with Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), United States (US) Government - Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) end-users, and science experts.
    • Iterative testing and demonstration to improve your technology.
    • Feedback from CAF to customize and adjust your test plan on the fly.

    Visit the CUAS 2024 Sandbox web page for all the details you need in order to apply.

    All applications must be submitted prior to 2 PM EST on October 5, 2023.

    The deadline to submit applications for the 2024 Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (CUAS) Sandbox has been extended to
    2 pm EDT, on October 10, 2023.

    CUAS Concept Development funding opportunity

    As previously announced, there will be a call for innovators in the coming weeks to submit proposals for game-changing CUAS concepts at Low Technology Readiness Levels (TRL 1-5). Under this opportunity, innovators could eligible for up to $2.5 million in funding. Stay tuned for more details and how to apply! In the meantime, to imagine and create your CUAS concept, read the CUAS challenge statement in Annex A in the Sandbox Applicant Guide.

     

    The finale of the IDEaS “Pop-up city” Contest is about to begin!

    The IDEaS “Pop-up city” Contest is moving into its final phase. Terragon Environmental Technologies Inc., Innocorps Research Corporation and SNC-Lavalin Integrated Utility Management System will test their prototype water, waste, and energy management systems for temporary military camps on Canadian Forces Base Suffield in Alberta August 19th to 26th, 2023.

    The contestants will vie for a $2 million prize based on how well their systems perform in simulated conditions.

    The top contestants were selected from six Round 3 finalists through a pitch event held to determine the most promising technologies. To see highlights from the IDEaS “Pop-up city” Contest pitch event, check out the video here!

    The IDEaS team

     
     

     August 17, 2023
  • CMISA posted an article
    Winners will be awarded $175,000 per challenge see more

    Thales Canada and COVE invite SMEs and Start-Ups to participate in two exciting Naval Technology Innovation Challenges. We are seeking proposal submissions for innovative naval maintenance and dockyard technology solutions.

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     March 28, 2023
  • CMISA posted an article
    Focus: energy resilience, secure information sharing and sensing and surveillance. see more

    In June, 2021, at the NATO Annual Summit, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced the creation of DIANA – the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic. In April 2022, NATO member foreign ministers approved DIANA’s charter along with the creation of a 1 billion euro innovation fund.

    According to NATO, the program “provides dual-use innovators in NATO countries with funding and a fast track to adapt their solutions for defence and security needs.” “Dual-use” refers to the development or adaptation of civilian software and technology for defence and security purposes. The goal of DIANA is to provide funding and resources that can help researchers and start-ups accelerate their work. 

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     March 07, 2023
  • CMISA posted an article
    Over $700 million investment doubles down on driving innovation see more

    The Government of Canada is spurring economic growth, helping create well-paying jobs and growing our competitive advantage by investing in ideas, businesses and communities. Through the Global Innovation Clusters program, the government established a new approach to innovation: building accelerated and strong ecosystems in industries where Canada leads.

    Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced that each cluster will receive renewed support to expand its national presence and deepen its impact at home and abroad...

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     February 13, 2023
  • CMISA posted an article
    Accepting concept white paper submissions until 13:00 GMT (8:00 a.m. EST) March 2, 2023 see more

    The U.S. Army, in partnership with the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy, is now accepting concept white papers for its xTechInternational Competition. The competition is open to international entities including small to medium businesses and academic and research institutions interested in tackling current challenges in the advanced manufacturing and materials space. Up to $530,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to eligible participants, which includes Canadian innovators. 

     In addition to the cash prizes, the xTechInternational competition will provide:

    • Direct access to Department of Defense and international stakeholders;
    • Transparent and detailed feedback from multi-disciplinary experts; and
    • Mentoring and educational opportunities through their accelerator programming.
       

    The competition is open now and accepting concept white paper submissions until 13:00 GMT (8:00 a.m. EST) March 2, 2023.

    For more information, visit the xTechInternational competition web page.  

     January 31, 2023
  • CMISA posted an article
    Submit your letter of intent by March 7, 2023 see more

    The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) are preparing for a quantum world and are looking for your knowledge and expertise.  The Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program will be funding up to $3 million per successful proposal to create multidisciplinary research micro-networks (micro-nets) through its Innovation Networks element to build expertise in the field of quantum technology.

    IDEaS will fund micro-nets to develop, integrate and demonstrate quantum technologies that can revolutionize current defence and security capabilities in:

    • Quantum sensing and sensors (including for positioning, navigation and timing);
    • Quantum communications; and
    • Quantum computing, simulations and algorithms

    Submit your letter of intent (LOI) by 14:00 (EST) Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

    For more information, visit our Innovation Networks page.

     January 31, 2023
  • Sandra Houle posted an article
    Six new Calls for Proposals in its defence testing stream see more

    Supporting defence innovation – Innovative Solutions Canada launches new defence challenges

    Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) recently launched six new Calls for Proposals in its defence testing stream. ISC is seeking pre-commercial innovative prototypes that can be tested in real life settings and address a variety of defence priorities within the Government of Canada. The Testing Stream aims to procure, test and evaluate innovative late stage pre-commercial prototypes in the following areas:

    •            Digital Enablers and Cybersecurity

    •            UAS and Drone-related infrastructure

    •            Enhanced Warfighting

    •            Training and in-Service support

    •            Enhanced Soldier systems

    •            Smart Sustain and Fleet Optimization

    The purpose of this call for proposals is to create pools of pre-qualified innovations that Canada may select from to address a broad range of the Government of Canada organizations' requirements. Check the Innovative Solutions Canada web site for eligibility requirements and apply by 14:00 April 22, 2022.

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     April 06, 2022
  • CMISA posted an article
    Virtually experience, on a 5.6-metre-wide display wall a 3D highly accurate digital vessel model see more

    HoloShip facility will be an engine for technology innovation as Seaspan and Canadian marine sector evolve to digital ship environment throughout vessel lifecycle .

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     March 15, 2022
  • CMISA posted an article
    Accelerating concepts and propelling solutions forward see more

    Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security is more than just a funding program. We are accelerating concepts and propelling solutions forward, building a defence innovation ecosystem.

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     August 05, 2021
  • CMISA posted an article
    Ocean innovation hub see more

    The work to establish an ocean innovation hub in Greater Victoria that will develop new companies focused on the water and create 1,000 new jobs will start next year with the appointment of a chief executive and the start of a fundraising campaign. 

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     December 17, 2020
  • CMISA posted an article
    NATO is looking for tools and measures to identify, assess and protect against attacks see more

    The Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program and Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM), on behalf of Canada, will be hosting the Fall 2021 NATO Innovation Challenge – The invisible threat: Countering cognitive warfare. The theme of this pitch-style event is understanding and protecting the cognitive domain.

    NATO is looking for tools and measures to identify, assess and protect against attacks on NATO forces and NATO Allies in the cognitive domain.

    Successful innovators will pitch their best solutions and tools to a panel of experts from NATO countries.

    On top of international exposure and cash prizes for the best solutions, there will be special recognition for the top “Made in Canada” solution. In order to be considered for the additional Canadian prize, a subsequent eligibility criteria will be applied. For more information on eligibility, visit the IDEaS Web site.

    Tap into an engaged audience that could lead to meaningful contacts with the international community!

    To apply, visit the NATO Innovation Challenge Page.

    Submit your entry by Thursday, October 21, 2021.

    The IDEaS Team

     September 10, 2021
  • CMISA posted an article
    Award of contract innovative hybrid battery power see more

    Vard Electro is pleased to announce the award of the contract for an innovative hybrid battery power system with Atlantic Towing to be integrated on their vessel Atlantic Shrike. Atlantic Towing is the first company to implement this multiple mode application of battery technologies on a single vessel in the Canadian Offshore Oil and Gas Industry.

    View Online