The incubator's newest program is helping Ontario businesses navigate the last mile of AI adoption.
For many years, Nitco Engineering has built a reputation on robotic precision. The Ontario-based company develops robotics that sort recyclables and support a circular economy.
But today, artificial intelligence is rewriting the rules of how industries operate, and Neatco is among the traditional leaders planning to be part of this change.
“Our mission is to help every company create the artificial intelligence it needs to grow.”
Harry Chan, VentureLAB
The company uses venture laboratoryartificial intelligence tools and services through Critical Industrial Technologies (CIT) Development and Commercialization Program.
As a CIT technology development site, venture laboratoryin partnership with Ontario Innovation Centeraccelerates the next phase of Neatco's business.
Unlike accelerators that target early-stage startups, the CIT initiative is aimed at Ontario businesses that already have customers, data and operations, but need support to integrate critical technologies – 5G, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity, quantum and robotics – into existing workflows to grow and scale. VentureLAB's goal is to provide a comprehensive solution for companies building internal AI capabilities or developing AI technologies for the market.
CIT focuses on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, construction, agri-food and mining. These industries provide the majority of Canada's economic activity, but Slow down accept AI.
Harry Chan, director of artificial intelligence at VentureLAB, says companies like Neatco represent an often overlooked part of the innovation story.
“They already know automation and robotics inside out, but scaling with AI requires a different skill set. We're helping them take the next step,” Chan said.
For many SMEs, this “next step” is the most difficult of all—what VentureLAB calls the “last mile” of AI adoption.
Moving from experimentation to implementation takes time, processing power, and confidence, and VentureLAB closes that gap by providing resources, tools, and deep expertise.
VentureLAB's 50,000-square-foot innovation space gives participants access to $12 million in prototyping and testing labs, including the new AI Compute Lab, a high-performance environment with cutting-edge GPUs, servers, and tools for training and validating models.
The accompanying AI Toolbox gives teams access to curated datasets, pre-trained models and data management resources, as well as up to 10-15 hours per month of technical support, business mentoring and commercialization guidance.
Chan compares the setup to a gym.
“We have a playbook. We have trainers and equipment,” he added. “Our mission is to help every company create the artificial intelligence it needs to grow.”
Chan says the program aims to address issues affecting various industries. Whether participants are installing cameras on construction sites, humidity sensors in greenhouses, or fault detection systems in factories, they face the same obstacles.
“They're all collecting data in the field, sending it to the cloud to train AI, and then deploying those capabilities back to the edge,” he explained.
By bringing companies together, VentureLAB creates what Chan calls a “service layer” of collective expertise that prevents each company from reinventing the wheel.
“All of these companies are asking similar questions about data management, compute optimization, deployment strategies,” he said. “If we can help them answer these questions at scale, they can start and do great things.”
The first participants are already using this support in their work. Neatco is exploring how artificial intelligence can improve recognition speed, decision accuracy and data management on its production line. The startup envisions the AI developing AI “assistants” that use language and visual models to monitor production, automatically identify defects and reduce material waste, according to Tony Sandhu, product manager at Neatco.
Another participant in the CIT development and commercialization program, Khalsa Packaginga major supplier of flexible product packaging is developing an artificial intelligence-powered color matching system to automate ink formulation and reduce waste. Masterfully is developing an AI-powered ESG analytics project to improve the sustainability of the agri-food industry.
For Chan, these early projects demonstrate the practical side of the program.
“When companies start experimenting with data and automation, they open up opportunities to innovate and compete in new ways,” he said.
The program lasts up to six months. Eligible SMEs are supported by the CIT initiative and join VentureLAB with customized project plans. Applications are reviewed as they are received.
“Ontario's manufacturing companies are the backbone of our economy, and artificial intelligence is critical to strengthening that advantage,” said Claudia Kriviak, president and CEO of the Ontario Center for Innovation (OCI). “Through Ontario's Critical Industrial Technologies Initiative and partners like VentureLAB, OCI is helping emerging and established companies harness the power of artificial intelligence to drive growth and improve global competitiveness. Together, we're ensuring that domestic businesses lead the AI revolution, rather than follow it.”
To date, more than 4,200 companies have been supported through its programs and services, creating more than 7,000 jobs and attracting more than $480 million in investment through its network, according to VentureLAB. In addition, the CIT initiative has supported more than 194 Ontario companies by investing $55.8 million in the adoption and commercialization of critical technologies.
“This initiative aims to equip Ontario SMEs with the infrastructure and expertise needed to compete globally in artificial intelligence,” said Sep Asadian, Vice President of Founder Success at VentureLAB. “By combining cutting-edge computing resources with deep commercialization support, we enable companies to move from concept to market quickly and efficiently.”
Chan believes these first steps are the start of something bigger.
“We need to create an environment where hundreds of companies compete for global dominance, for global growth, for a global customer base,” he said. “It’s about creating a community of builders ready to take Canada’s industrial potential into the age of artificial intelligence.”
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VentureLAB supports SMEs building AI-powered solutions using advanced tools, expert guidance, and a collaborative innovation ecosystem. Find out more.
Photos courtesy of VentureLAB.
