Feds shell out $5M to Quebec organizations to boost innovation
by Canadian Manufacturing Daily Staff
Kinova Inc., École de technologie supérieure, receiving funding for equipment acquisitions
MONTREAL—The federal government has doled out more than $5-million to a pair of Quebec firms as it looks to give a booster shot to innovation in the province.
According to Canada Economic Development, personal rehabilitation robotics firm Kinova Inc., based in Montreal, is receiving a $235,000 repayable loan to help bring some of its manufacturing operations back to Quebec from Asia.
It plans to use the federal loan to “acquire strategic equipment and computer tools,” according to Canada Economic Development.
Kinova, run by engineering graduates from École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) in Montreal, makes robotic arms for upper-body disabled persons in power chairs.
And it’s that engineering alma mater, ÉTS, that is receiving non-repayable federal funding of $4.83-million to acquire semi-industrial equipment for a host of labs on campus.
ÉTS, part of the Université du Québec network, specializes in applied learning and research in engineering and technology transfer.
It will use the funding for new equipment in its prototyping and additive manufacturing research labs, according to the federal department.
“By lending financial support to ÉTS and Kinova, the Government of Canada is confirming its commitment to making innovation the key to our country’s economic future,” Minister of Economic Development Denis Lebel said in a statement.
Both contributions were awarded through Canada Economic Development’s Quebec Economic Development Program.
