Academic-Industry Collaboration for SME Recovery and Growth (E)

The Downsview Aerospace Innovation & Research (DAIR) hub brings together academics, companies, research organizations and government stakeholders around a shared goal – to advance Canada’s global aerospace industry leadership. In 2022, DAIR launched the Ontario Aerospace Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Recovery and Growth Project, which is a 2.5-year, $4.2 million project, funded by FedDev Ontario with industry match. The project consists of two pillars: 1) Commercialization, which includes the promotion of collaborative projects through custom events, and the launch of the Green Fund to directly support sustainable aviation projects, and 2) Supplier Development, which includes the advancement of SMEs through industry assessment audits and capability enhancements, as well as broader supply chain events. Through partnerships that include various aerospace organizations across Canada, several Ontario post-secondary institutions, and key aerospace OEMs and Tier 1s, the project aims to help the Canadian aerospace sector emerge from the pandemic with the capacity to compete on the global stage. Moreover, this project creates additional values and opportunities such as workforce development, work-integrated learning, applied research, and other strategic initiatives, benefiting students, graduates, employers, and various stakeholders engaged. In this presentation, the presenters will share their experiences and lessons learned from establishing DAIR, developing and implementing the Ontario Aerospace SME Recovery and Growth Project, and strengthening partnerships with government and industry stakeholders.