Vimy Forge defence incubator founded to strengthen Canadian sovereignty

    From the Springboard Content Lab

    A new national defence incubator has been launched in Atlantic Canada to build an innovation ecosystem that will strengthen Canada’s sovereignty, competitiveness, and security by connecting innovators with the military sector.

    Vimy Forge is a public–private partnership designed to close the gap between Canadian innovation and defence procurement. Its mission is to equip Canadian startups and SMEs with the tools, clearances, and market pathways they need to succeed with the Department of National Defence (DND), Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), and allied defence markets.

    Founded by British Army veteran and Fredericton-based business advisor Duncan McSporran, Vimy Forge will offer companies tailored programs covering commercialization, compliance, prototyping, testing, and communications. Vimy Forge is partnering with Tidal Venture Partners on the incubator. The goal is to help companies advance breakthrough ideas into mission-ready solutions.

    By aligning innovators, industry, academia, and government, Vimy Forge is building a collaborative ecosystem to connect entrepreneurs to the defence sector.

    “Canada has world-class entrepreneurs and researchers, but too often their solutions struggle to reach the soldiers, sailors, aviators, and operators who need them most. The gap between early innovation and national capability is real — and widening as digital technology reshapes every part of security and defence.”

    Duncan McSporran, Founder of Vimy Forge
    man at podium with screen
    Duncan McSporran discusses the role research collaboration and industry engagement in Atlantic Canada during the DSEI Exhibition in London, UK.

    Canada commits to increased defence spending

    The new incubator comes at a time when Canada is increasing its commitment to defence spending to two percent of gross domestic Product (GDP.) By the year 2035, the federal government is pledging to spending five percent of GDP on defence.

    In October, the federal government launched a new Defence Investment Agency to centralize and speed up defence procurement and equipment purchases for the Canadian Armed Forces.


    Based in Fredericton with a national scope

    Anchored in Fredericton, NB, but built for national impact, Vimy Forge brings together SMEs, academia, industry partners, and government to create the conditions where Canadian solutions can scale and succeed. With support already in place from partners across the country, the Forge is positioned as a new anchor for Canadian innovation.

    Vimy Forge will open the door to companies and teams who want to work in the military sector. It is looking for companies that are building something that could strengthen Canadian or allied defence, security, or resilience.

    “This is only the beginning, we’ve now entered a critical stage. As a team we are committed to ensuring Canadian innovation gets into the right hands, faster with some great partners.”

    Duncan McSporran

    More defence innovation hubs launching in Canada

    • Creative Destruction Lab is launching the CDL Defence Stream to support entrepreneurs and ventures in the defence and dual-use sector. CDL startups work with mentors to sharpen objectives, prioritize time and resources, raise capital, and engage with experts working on the frontiers of research.
    • Defence compay Calian is rolling out Calian Ventures is partnering with SMEs that have innovative solutions for the defence sector. This initiative will We help test, validate and scale technologies into Canadian and allied procurements by leveraging Calian’s engineering expertise, integrated solutions and trusted CAF relationships.  
    • Crown Corporation Business Development Bank (BDC) has announced that it will also support Canada’s defence technology sector through its $200-million Deep Tech Venture Fund .