NJIT In Newark, Canadian Nonprofit Launch New Tech Partnership

NEWARK, NJ — A new partnership between the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark and the Ontario Centre of Innovation is reaching across international borders to boost startup companies and entrepreneurs in both nations, officials say.

The two institutions recently announced that they signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to “support the growth of startups and subject matter experts in the life sciences, digital health solutions, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing industries.”

To view the full MOU, click here.

The announcement got a thumbs-up from New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy.

“New Jersey is an innovation hub, home to the world’s most talented thinkers educated at our internationally recognized research universities and institutional partners,” Murphy said. “The collaboration between NJIT and the Ontario Centre of Innovation brings together two innovation incubators that will pioneer the future of science and technology while creating new job opportunities for New Jersey workers and families.”

NJIT president Teik Lim said the new partnership is a “significant step forward” when it comes to cross-border collaboration in two important areas: technology and innovation.

“By partnering with OCI, we are not only supporting startups and SMEs in New Jersey but also creating a bridge for knowledge exchange and commercialization opportunities that will benefit both regions. Together, we will accelerate advancements in life sciences, AI, digital health, and advanced manufacturing, shaping a future of shared prosperity,” Lim said.

“By combining Ontario's robust innovation ecosystem with New Jersey's cutting-edge technological expertise, we are not only driving economic growth but also creating new opportunities for startups, SMEs, and entrepreneurs on both sides of the border,” agreed Claudia Krywiak, president and CEO of the nonprofit Ontario Centre of Innovation.

This week’s announcement also got a thumbs-up from Choose New Jersey, which helped to facilitate the partnership as part of its governor-led trip to Canada.

“New Jersey is an ecosystem for success,” said the group’s president and CEO, Wesley Mathews.

“With the most engineers and scientists per square mile in the nation, New Jersey is equipped with the talent and resources to advance the work of pioneers in science and technology,” Mathews said. “This partnership supports our startups and SMEs, driving the necessary collaboration and investment essential for economic growth and advancement in technologies that will define our future.”

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