About Our Program
Vimy Forge is Canada's sovereign defence and national security innovation accelerator, built to help small and medium-sized enterprises navigate and succeed in the defence market. Anchored in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and supported by a national coalition of public and private partners, the accelerator focuses on digital-first capabilities, human–machine teaming, and other technologies that strengthen Canada's operational and economic resilience.
Many SMEs face persistent gaps when engaging the defence ecosystem: limited access to end users, unclear or evolving requirements, difficulties validating technology in operational contexts, and a fragmented path to venture and strategic capital. Vimy Forge is designed to close these gaps by creating direct, recurring interaction with operational stakeholders, providing guided interpretation of requirements, and connecting companies to investors who understand defence timelines and procurement pathways.
How it Works
Central to the program is a collaborative model that brings together innovators, industry partners, academic institutions, and government stakeholders. This approach enables meaningful engagement, informed feedback, and pathways to validation and deployment. By fostering these connections, Vimy Forge helps reduce barriers to adoption and accelerates the translation of innovation into impact.
Vimy Forge is building a trusted ecosystem that supports Canada’s long-term sovereignty, competitiveness, and security -ensuring that critical technologies are developed, tested, and scaled at home, in alignment with national priorities.
The current program runs from March 2026 to March 2027 and is delivered through 12-week sprints, each with a five-day in person focus week for deep engagement with mentors, experts, and operational stakeholders.
No equity is taken. SMEs receive significant in-kind support from Vimy Forge partners and work directly with mentors and Experts-in-Residence drawn from the Canadian Armed Forces, government, industry, and the innovation community - many of whom have built successful companies themselves in the defence, national security and aligned spaces. The emphasis throughout is practical guidance, reduced barriers, and a clear route to measurable progress.
Applications are currently closed.
Want to be notified when applications open?
Sign up for our mailing list to be the first to find out when applications for Vimy Forge’s next cohort open.