Canada's defence future needs Canadian innovation.
Your technology is market-ready. Is your business defence-ready?
Canada is putting renewed focus on Canadian innovation, domestic supply chains and defence capability. For technology companies with commercially ready solutions, that creates an important opportunity and a complex new market to navigate.
AC:RevLab Dual Use & Defence is a free program helping 15 Southern Ontario companies assess defence and dual-use applications, understand procurement and customer requirements, and build credible strategies for market entry.
15 companies | February 1–June 30, 2027 | Free for accepted companies
Applications close [APPLICATION DEADLINE]
Why now
Canada's defence market is changing. Founders need to be ready.
Canada's 2026 Defence Industrial Strategy puts greater emphasis on Canadian suppliers, innovation and commercialization. Technologies developed for commercial markets—from cybersecurity and AI to autonomous systems, advanced sensing and manufacturing may also have applications in defence, public safety and critical infrastructure.
What you will work on
Defence readiness goes beyond the technology.
Over 5 months, founders will work with experienced advisors and sector specialists to build a more informed market-entry approach.
Specialized 1:1 mentorship: Get tailored guidance on potential applications, market readiness and company-specific challenges.- Defence customers and market validation: Assess where your technology may solve a meaningful problem, who the prospective buyers are and what they require.
- Procurement and Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITBs): Understand federal purchasing pathways, timelines and how ITB-related opportunities may affect the market.
- Prime contractors and supply chains: Learn how major suppliers assess technology, qualify vendors and engage with smaller companies.
- Supplier readiness and contracting: Examine security, intellectual property, export-control and contractual considerations relevant to the sector.
- Commercial strategy: Refine your value proposition, pricing, proposals, business development priorities and potential customer pipeline.
- Expert workshops and peer learning: Test assumptions, learn from specialized advisors and exchange practical perspectives with other founders.
- Fundraising and founder benefits: Access fundraising guidance, potential introductions through AC's investor network, and up to $600,000 in eligible partner perks and discounts through AWS, Google for Startups, HubSpot and others (subject to provider terms).
Participation provides guidance and preparation; it does not guarantee procurement contracts, security clearances, funding or customer introductions.
AC:RevLab Dual Use & Defence is free for startups through the Scale Up Platform with support from Communitech and the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).
Who should apply
You've built the technology. Now assess its next market.
We're looking for early-stage technology companies in Southern Ontario with working, commercially ready solutions that may be relevant to defence, security, public safety or critical infrastructure.
Relevant technology areas include:
- Artificial intelligence, machine learning and advanced analytics
- Cybersecurity and digital security
- Robotics, intelligent automation and autonomous systems
- Sensors, monitoring and situational-awareness technologies
- Advanced manufacturing, specialized materials and components
- Secure communications, connected systems and resilient infrastructure
- Other technologies with a credible dual-use or defence-related application
This program is especially well suited to companies with Technology Readiness Level 7+ solutions, existing commercial customers, or a clearly identified use case in a new market.
You do not need to be an established defence supplier to apply. You do need a commercially credible solution and a willingness to assess the demands of this market.
Eligibility and commitment
Is your company ready for this cohort?
To be eligible for the program applicants must:
- Be based in southern Ontario, as defined by FedDev Ontario.
- Be incorporated in Canada or show proof of a plan to incorporate within 30 days of starting the program,
- Be an early-stage company with an in-market or near-marketing ready technology in an economically attractive market, and
- Be available for regularly scheduled in-person workshops in Waterloo and virtual meetings between February 1 and June 30, 2027.
Preference will be given to companies with a working technology at TRL 7+ and a credible potential application in defence, security or public safety. All final selection decisions are made by the Accelerator Centre, using fair and transparent assessment processes and at its sole discretion.
The Accelerator Centre is committed to fair and transparent decision-making processes in evaluating applications.
However, all final decisions regarding acceptance into our programs are made solely at the discretion of The Accelerator Centre.
Program partners and funders
AC:RevLab Dual Use & Defence is a part of the FedDev Ontario Scale-Up Platform delivered by Communitech.
