Programs - SmartTO

SmartTO empowers Ontario-based startups, scaleups, and SMEs through comprehensive programming designed to accelerate the development and deployment of smart mobility, transportation, and accessibility solutions. Each stream offers targeted support, ranging from business advisory and applied technical collaboration to curated startup resources and innovation-driven competitions. Together, these integrated streams help ventures build traction, scale sustainably, and contribute to a thriving transportation innovation ecosystem across the province. Our services come at no cost for eligible clients.

Business Advisory Services

SmartTO offers a tiered suite of business advisory services designed to guide mobility startups through each stage of their business journey. From early-stage incubation to acceleration and targeted mentorship, founders gain access to expert advisory, peer networks, and critical commercialization resources. Delivered in partnership with YSpace, York University’s innovation hub, this stream provides the foundational and growth support needed to succeed in Ontario’s mobility innovation ecosystem.

The Smart Mobility Technology Incubator (SMTI) is a flexible 4-month pre-accelerator program tailored for early-stage startups developing innovations in the mobility sector. Designed to meet founders where they are, SMTI offers a goal-driven, personalized experience that helps companies progress from ideation to early market validation.

Participants receive:

Biweekly advisory sessions with startup and technical advisors
Access to self-paced learning modules, including 100+ recorded workshops
Bespoke support across areas such as go-to-market planning, investor readiness, and product development
Preparation for advancement into accelerator-level programs such as the Smart Mobility Tech Accelerator (SMTA)

With a sector-specific focus on transportation, SMTI equips founders with the knowledge and guidance to navigate regulatory, technical, and commercialization challenges unique to the industry.

Whether you're validating a new idea or preparing to scale, SMTI helps build momentum, attract talent, and accelerate innovation in Ontario’s smart mobility sector.

Next cohort will be launching in 2025/26. Stay tuned!

Venture Mobility Catalyst is a 6-week mentorship program exclusively for SmartTO clients developing technologies in smart mobility, materials, energy systems, and related sectors. This program provides tailored 1:1 mentorship and strategic guidance to help startups with an MVP validate their solution, sharpen their go-to-market strategy, and accelerate traction.

Participants receive:

Weekly one-on-one mentorship with experienced startup advisors
Customized support aligned to each venture’s goals and technical focus
Access to peer insights, growth tools, and commercialization resources

Whether you're refining your product, testing market fit, or preparing to scale, Venture Catalyst is designed to accelerate your next stage of growth.

Next cohort will be launching in 2025/26. Stay tuned!

The Smart Mobility Tech Accelerator is a hands-on, milestone-driven 4-month program. Designed for ventures developing innovations in smart mobility, materials, battery systems, or smart grid technologies, SMTA connects founders to a deep bench of mentors, technical advisors, and peer entrepreneurs to accelerate venture growth.

Participants receive:

Structured workshops on growth strategy, fundraising, and commercialization
1:1 mentorship from experienced Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EiRs) with relevant domain expertise
Peer-to-peer facilitated sessions to deepen knowledge sharing and connections
Office hours with a curated network of investors, technical specialists, and advisors
Access to a community of 700+ like-minded ventures and $60K+ in exclusive startup perks

By combining the technical infrastructure and industry networks of SmartTO with the venture-building expertise of YSpace, SMTA is your launchpad for scalable, investment-ready growth in the mobility sector.

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Applied Technical Projects

The Applied Technical Projects (ATP) program offers startups a unique opportunity to rapidly advance their technologies by partnering with expert faculty, researchers, and students from the Lassonde School of Engineering at York University and the School of Transportation at Centennial College. This program is tailored for ventures looking to solve technical challenges, increase their technology readiness level (TRL), and accelerate product development.

Program features include:

Customized matching between startups and academic experts based on technical needs
1–3 month applied research and prototyping engagements
Development of design solutions, MVPs, tests, applications, or advanced prototypes
Access to engineering labs, testing infrastructure, and student talent

Each project cohort supports a select number of companies through either an open intake or themed competitive calls (e.g., automobility, electrification, robotics).

By enabling technical advancement and real-world validation, ATP helps startups push past technical barriers and unlock scalable innovation.

View our experts page and technical capabilities page to learn more about how your startup can be supported.

To Become a Client please click here.

Startup Resources

SmartTO’s Startup Resources stream connects you with a trusted network of partners and services that support every stage of your venture’s development, from technical buildout to legal protection and commercialization. Whether you’re launching your MVP or preparing for market scale, this stream ensures you have access to the right people, tools, and infrastructure to move forward with confidence.

No matter your challenge, SmartTO ensures you’re equipped with the right expertise and resources to build a stronger, smarter venture.

Software & Technology – Tools and platforms to accelerate development
Vehicles – Access to EVs, micromobility platforms, and specialized hardware
Labs & Equipment – Testing environments, prototyping tools, and applied R&D spaces
Commercialization & Advisory Support – Mentorship, business strategy, fundraising, grant navigation
Legal Services – Intellectual property protection, incorporation, contracts
Technical Support – Product development, design validation, and system integration

Partner organizations such as Siemens Canada, Megalab Group, and Bhole IP Law offer specialized support tailored to the mobility sector.

🔗 Visit our Startup Resources hub to explore the full list of partners and services.

Collaborative Consults is a flexible, on-demand advisory service that connects SmartTO clients with trusted partners for one-on-one consultations. Whether you're navigating intellectual property, regulatory approvals, prototyping, or software integration, this program ensures you have immediate access to subject matter experts ready to support your growth.

Through Collaborative Consults, you will:

Book personalized sessions with vetted experts in law, testing, prototyping, and engineering
Receive tailored guidance specific to your venture’s needs, challenges, and growth stage
Access exclusive partner resources, ranging from IP strategy to MATLAB licenses and global compliance support
Schedule meetings seamlessly through customized Calendly links, with instant confirmations and calendar invites

This offering removes barriers to expert support, giving you the convenience and confidence to move forward.

Current partners include:
Bhole IP Law, MathWorks, Megalab Group Inc., Syntronic and more.

If you're a mobility innovator seeking expert input without the red tape, Collaborative Consults puts the answers, and the right people, within reach.

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Innovation Challenge

The SmartTO Innovation Challenge is a multi-phase, competition-based program that engages startups and scaleups in solving real-world transportation and mobility problems. Each challenge invites ventures to respond to challenge statements shaped by public and private sector partners and culminates in a high-impact Demo Day, where finalists present their solutions to stakeholders, funders, and ecosystem leaders. The program includes curated mentorship, partner matching, and funding opportunities to support the development and implementation of standout ideas.

This initiative remains a cornerstone of SmartTO’s ecosystem-building efforts, stimulating commercialization, enabling public-private collaboration, and supporting Ontario-based transportation innovation at scale.

The January 2025 Innovation Challenge featured a challenge statement developed through an open ideation process, featuring 123 ideas, 132 comments, and contributions from 68 participants. Winners included:

First Place: Moon Trades Technologies – AI-driven surveying and terrain analysis
Awarded $15,000 in value, including $5,000 cash from Megalab Group Inc., $5,000 YSpace bundle, and $5,000 in business services
Second Place: Wireless PNC – Wireless EV charging using AI
Awarded $20,000 toward a SmartTO Applied Technical Project
Third Place: Fortran Traffic Systems – Recognized for Fenyx, a platform simplifying traffic signal controller setup and improving municipal efficiency
Awarded $10,000 in services from Bhole IP Law and FYELABS

Winners of the Innovation Challenge were announced at SmartTO Demo Day 2025 held at The Well in Downtown Toronto. Watch the recap video below.

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Capstone Projects

The SmartTO Capstone Program connects startups and SMEs with York University student teams to explore real-world transportation and mobility challenges. Developed in partnership with the Lassonde School of Engineering and the Cross-Campus Capstone Classroom (C4), this 8-month initiative engages interdisciplinary or engineering students in applied research and solution development based on project proposals submitted by industry partners.

Participating ventures benefit from exploratory, collaborations that support idea validation, technical problem-solving, and early-stage innovation. Projects are scoped to align with business objectives while offering students a meaningful opportunity to contribute to Ontario’s mobility ecosystem.

This initiative is a vital extension of SmartTO’s ecosystem-building efforts, bridging academic research with industry needs, developing talent, and enabling collaborative innovation at scale.

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