Government of Canada supports Waterloo Region businesses to scale-up and grow

Seven businesses to enhance made-in-Canada products and solutions with an over $9-million investment

February 12, 2025 – Breslau, Ontario

Waterloo Region is home to a vibrant innovation ecosystem, comprised of world-leading manufacturing, tech and AI companies. The Government of Canada is dedicated to driving growth in regions like Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge, supporting companies and entrepreneurs as they develop and launch cutting-edge, Canadian-made technologies. This commitment fuels innovation, accelerates job creation, and strengthens our economy for the benefit of all Canadians.

Today, the Honourable Ruby Sahota, Minister of Democratic Institutions

and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), visited the Region of Waterloo International Airport to meet with employees from Avidrone Aerospace Inc (Avidrone). The Minister was joined by the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Member of Parliament for Waterloo; Bryan May, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Small Business and to the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario and Member of Parliament for Cambridge; Valerie Bradford, Member of Parliament for Kitchener South–Hespeler; and Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener–Conestoga. They learned about how the company is transforming autonomous delivery by connecting people and goods through Canadian-made innovative, state-of-the-art drone technology.

While there, Minister Sahota announced over $9 million to support seven Waterloo Region-based businesses to enhance made-in-Canada offerings, including Alchemy, Avidrone Aerospace Inc., Ball Service Group, FluidAI Medical, GeoMate Inc., Planitar and Smarter Alloys Inc. With this funding, these companies will adopt innovative technologies and manufacturing methods to bring Canadian products and services to market.

Part of today’s investment allocated nearly $700,000 to help Avidrone accelerate the commercialization of a zero-emission cargo drone. This drone will carry 20 kgs of commercial and defence cargo, such as goods, parts, tools and medical supplies, up to 100 kms. This technology will help enable quicker and more versatile delivery of critical supplies in Canada.

Additional information on these projects is included in the backgrounder.

The Government of Canada supports Canadian businesses and entrepreneurs. Through these investments, we are supporting local innovation that will strengthen businesses and create good jobs across the region.

Quotes

“It is critical that we increase our capacity to support Canadian businesses. That’s why our government is investing in seven Waterloo Region companies today, to support them as they produce innovative home-grown products and solutions.”
- The Honourable Ruby Sahota, Minister of Democratic Institutions and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) 

“Local businesses are essential for a strong Canadian economy. Today’s investment will provide these organizations, including Smarter Alloys in Cambridge, with the support that they need to bring made-in-Canada products and solutions to market and create good, well-paying jobs for Canadians.” 
- Bryan May, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Small Business and to the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) and Member of Parliament for Cambridge

"Waterloo Region is one of the most dynamic hubs in Canada. Today’s investment in these seven local businesses will continue to foster the right environment for Canadian businesses to grow while also bringing new Canadian innovations to market.”
- Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener–Conestoga 

“By investing in these companies, we are enabling transformative Canadian-made solutions that will drive progress across a variety of industries in the Waterloo Region and Canada, thereby advancing our local economies, workers and businesses.” 
- The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Member of Parliament for Waterloo 

“FedDev Ontario’s support has helped us to market faster by connecting funding to our specific project.  We could accelerate our commercialization of new drone technology to the market with government funding and terms that are actually geared to helping small companies.” 
- Scott Gray, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Avidrone Aerospace Inc. 

Quick facts

• Waterloo Region, comprised of Waterloo, Kitchener and Cambridge, is one of the fastest-growing innovation hubs in the world, home to an incredible source of talent in the technology, AI, manufacturing and automotive sectors. 

• Incorporated in 2007 in Breslau, Avidrone Aerospace Incorporated specializes in aerial cargo delivery technologies and automated drones for government and defence sectors and commercial logistics organizations.

• Alchemy Nanotechnologies (Alchemy) was incorporated in 2013 in Kitchener. The company produces nanotechnology-based windshield protection film for the automotive sector.

• Incorporated in 1987, Kitchener-based Ball Service Group Inc. manufactures and fabricates a broad range of custom metal products and equipment for clients in various sectors, including the automotive, oil and gas, and construction industries.

• Established in 2014 in Kitchener, FluidAI is a medical technology company that focuses on harnessing the power of AI to deliver a new standard of post-operative care.

• Established in 2019 in Kitchener, GeoMate uses AI mapping technology to create reliable and cost-effective maps for autonomous driving developers, simulation platforms, and urban planners.

• Established in 2013 in Waterloo, Planitar Inc. develops virtual tour software that combines 360-degree cameras, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), AI-assisted drafting, advanced viewer technology, and business software to create 3D tours of spaces.

• Established in 2010 in Cambridge, Smarter Alloys Inc. designs, develops and manufactures smart materials and devices for the medical, auto, aerospace and clean energy sectors using its shape memory alloys technology.

• Since November 2015, FedDev Ontario has invested over $290 million in more than 240 projects in the Waterloo Region, supporting more than 57,000 jobs.