Open
Source verified July 16, 2026
QEW Innovation Corridor — SME Stream
Supports SME mobility technology pilots in Ontario
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
The QEW Innovation Corridor SME Stream supports Ontario SMEs with up to $150,000 to pilot innovative and advanced mobility technologies on a 40-km section of the QEW between Burlington and Toronto. Eligible work includes validation, testing, piloting, demonstration, commercialization, and deployment focused on smart mobility and connected vehicles.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase production or service capacity
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Technology, product, or service validation, testing, piloting, demonstration, commercialization, and deployment.
- Projects focused on innovative and advanced mobility technologies with a focus on smart mobility and connected vehicles applications.
- Work zone safety, queue warning, congestion management, incident response management, predictive traffic management, road hazard warning, in-vehicle traveler information, real-time traveler information, data analytics, cyber security, and geofencing.
Documents Needed
- OCI Funding Agreement – Single Client
- OCI Funding Agreement – Multiple Clients
- Eligible Expenditures Guide
- Letter of Support Template
- Data and Information Sharing Protocol (DISP)
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
- Applicants with fewer than 500 global full-time employees.
- Applicants with active projects funded by other OVIN programs may apply on a case-by-case basis.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
- The specific 40-km section of the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) between Burlington and Toronto
Selection criteria
- Applications are assessed on clarity of the proposed solution, market opportunity, expected economic benefit, and potential benefit to transportation safety, sustainability, efficiency, and accessibility.
- Applications are assessed on technical merit, novelty, relevance to the challenge areas, team expertise, collaboration, project plan and budget quality, market-readiness strategy, and overall application completeness.
- The program funds qualified projects with potential for the greatest economic benefits and contribution to transportation and mobility advancements in Ontario.
- Applications meeting a minimum scoring threshold are recommended for funding to the QEW IC Steering Committee.
How to apply
- Complete a client intake form or reach out to the Business Development Manager if already connected with one.
- Submit the full application through OCI’s AccessOCI web portal.
- Have your BDM endorse the application for eligibility and suitability before submission.
Processing and Agreement
- Applicants must execute the OCI Funding Agreement within 30 days of the announcement of award.
- Reimbursement claims are made when submitting interim and final reports and are paid following approval.
- Applicants must submit quarterly interim progress reports and a final report.
- Applicants must submit the final report within 30 days of project completion to be reimbursed for eligible expenses and maintain good financial standing with OCI.
- Applicants may request project extensions, milestone variances, and budget variances exceeding 10% of any budget category value through the Project Change Request form, and changes will only be considered if the applicant is up to date with reporting.
Additional information
- The program is led by OVIN with support from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.
- Successful applicants receive an outline of conditions and additional information necessary to activate the project.
- Applications are internally reviewed for eligibility, completeness, and financial compliance before external evaluation.
- The final funding decision is made by the QEW IC Steering Committee.
Other components of this program
Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.
- QEW Innovation Corridor — Partnerships StreamSupports smart mobility technology piloting
Frequently Asked Questions about the QEW Innovation Corridor — SME Stream Program
What is the QEW Innovation Corridor — SME Stream?
The QEW Innovation Corridor SME Stream supports Ontario SMEs with up to $150,000 to pilot innovative and advanced mobility technologies on a 40-km section of the QEW between Burlington and Toronto. Eligible work includes validation, testing, piloting, demonstration, commercialization, and deployment focused on smart mobility and connected vehicles.
Who is eligible for the QEW Innovation Corridor — SME Stream program?
To be eligible for the QEW Innovation Corridor — SME Stream program, you must:
The applicant must be an SME with fewer than 500 global full-time employees.
The applicant must have registered operations in Ontario.
The project testing must take place on a 40-km section of the QEW between Burlington and Toronto.
What expenses are eligible under QEW Innovation Corridor — SME Stream?
Technology, product, or service validation, testing, piloting, demonstration, commercialization, and deployment.
Projects focused on innovative and advanced mobility technologies with a focus on smart mobility and connected vehicles applications.
Work zone safety, queue warning, congestion management, incident response management, predictive traffic management, road hazard warning, in-vehicle traveler information, real-time traveler information, data analytics, cyber security, and geofencing.
Who can I contact for more information about the QEW Innovation Corridor — SME Stream?
You can contact Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN).
Where is the QEW Innovation Corridor — SME Stream available?
The QEW Innovation Corridor — SME Stream program is available across Canada.
Is the QEW Innovation Corridor — SME Stream a grant, loan, or tax credit?
QEW Innovation Corridor — SME Stream is a undefined
Who are the financial supporters of the QEW Innovation Corridor — SME Stream?
QEW Innovation Corridor — SME Stream is funded by Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)