Uniting the defence innovation community

Entering its fifth year, IDEaS continues to grow and evolve, incorporating new initiatives and elements into its innovation portfolio.

The program’s five funding elements have brought together networks of researchers, created innovative partnerships, and connected accelerators, the DND/CAF, and private industry.

Additionally, a new initiative called IDEaS Marketplace launched this year. IDEaS Marketplace brought IDEaS funded technology out of the lab and into the hands of the larger defence and security community.

The showcase event allowed innovators from the first calls for proposals under the Competitive Projects element to share their solutions developed with the assistance of the IDEaS program to potential end users. This included members of the DND/CAF, external government partners, and industry.

The event attracted over 400 stakeholders to view IDEaS funded technology, a testament to the need to invest in burgeoning fields of defence and security such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, and real-time data analysis.

Meanwhile, through IDEaS funding, technology is maturing and getting pushed forward at an accelerated pace into the defence and security sphere. The Test Drive element continued to strengthen the IDEaS technology portfolio, with three directed Test Drives and one open call Test Drive progressing advanced state technology through the IDEaS innovation continuum.

Through our Contests element, we have selected seven innovators to demonstrate their advanced robotic platforms and methods of control as part of our Robot round up challenge. And the Pop up city Contest is ready to demonstrate prototype integrated energy, water, and waste management systems for the CAF’s Relocatable Temporary Camps (RTCs).

IDEaS is also engaging with the broader innovation community. The program is helping to support the establishment of the NATO DIANA program’s Canadian hub. The challenge-based program is designed to bring together an ever-increasing network of accelerators, test centres, and innovators across the NATO alliance. IDEaS also supports the Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP), which focuses on improving emergency management and public safety response.

Seeing advancements reach real world scenarios helps provide incentive for the next generation of Canadian innovation, as well as drive the change needed to keep the Defence Team at the ready.