Fueling the Future: North Forge and Mitacs Partnership Ignites Manitoba Innovation
- Apr 13
- 3 min read
Manitoba’s innovation ecosystem is gaining new momentum as North Forge and Mitacs formalize a partnership designed to help startups move faster from idea to commercialization.
The agreement, officially signed on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, brings together North Forge, an award-winning not-for-profit tech incubator and state-of-the-art fabrication lab, and Mitacs, a national innovation organization that connects industry with post-secondary research talent. Together, they are building a more connected and capable innovation pipeline in Manitoba, one that reduces barriers, accelerates growth, and ensures that promising ideas have the support needed to succeed.
This collaboration focuses on strengthening pathways between academia and industry while giving Manitoba companies greater access to skilled talent, research expertise and commercialization support. For founders, this means faster validation, stronger product development, and a clearer path to market. For the province, it means more companies scaling locally, more jobs being created, and a stronger, more competitive economy.
As part of the visit, Dr. Stephen Lucas, CEO of Mitacs, toured North Forge’s fabrication lab, one of North America’s largest publicly accessible fabrication facilities. The tour provided a firsthand look at the tools, technology and hands-on support available to startups as they design, prototype and build their products.
Seeing the fabrication lab in action highlighted something critical. Innovation does not happen in theory. It happens when founders have access to the right tools, the right guidance, and the ability to test and build in real time. The experience reinforced how North Forge bridges the gap between concept and creation by giving entrepreneurs a place to bring ideas to life.
“This partnership strengthens our ability to support innovators at every stage of their journey,” said Joelle Foster, President and CEO, North Forge. “By connecting startups to research, talent and new collaboration opportunities, we are helping more ideas move from concept to commercialization.”
The partnership will explore pilot initiatives, knowledge sharing and enhanced referral pathways between the two organizations. These efforts are designed to remove friction in the innovation process, making it easier for startups and small- to medium-sized businesses to access funding, talent, and technical expertise exactly when they need it most.
Mitacs has already made a significant impact in Manitoba. Between 2018 and 2025, the organization invested more than $42 million into over 1,100 innovation projects across the province, supporting more than 1,500 interns and nearly 400 industry partners. By aligning more closely with North Forge, that impact becomes even more targeted, reaching entrepreneurs earlier and helping them build stronger foundations from the start.
“Working more closely with North Forge allows us to better connect Manitoba companies with the research and talent needed to innovate and grow,” said Dr. Stephen Lucas, CEO, Mitacs. “Together, we are strengthening Canada’s innovation ecosystem and creating new opportunities for collaboration.”
For North Forge, the partnership aligns with its mission to provide practical, accessible support to entrepreneurs. From mentorship and programming to advanced prototyping tools within its fabrication lab, the organization focuses on helping founders take action and build viable businesses that can scale beyond Manitoba.
More broadly, this partnership signals a shift in how innovation is supported in the province. It is about building a fully integrated ecosystem where ideas can be validated, developed, and commercialized without leaving Manitoba. It is about ensuring that local talent stays local, and that Manitoba continues to attract investment, partnerships, and attention on a national and global stage.
As Manitoba continues to grow its reputation as a hub for innovation and advanced manufacturing, this collaboration sets a clear direction forward. More alignment. More access. More momentum.
Because in Manitoba, big ideas deserve a real chance.
