Date, January 2025 – Kitchener, Ontario – The City of Kitchener has partnered with GeoMate Inc., a local start-up out of Communitech in Kitchener's innovation district, who has been successful in securing $580,000 from the Ontario government through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN).
“By investing in homegrown innovation and helping local companies compete in global markets, Ontario is protecting the future of our automotive sector and ensuring the cars of the future are made in Ontario, by Ontario workers,” said Victor Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network, our government is strengthening our domestic supply chain, driving competitiveness and resilience, and creating good-paying jobs that will withstand this storm of tariffs and economic uncertainty.”
As part of the City’s Make It Kitchener 2.0 economic development strategy, this partnership supports building a city-wide start-up network focused on the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
The City will be providing GeoMate Inc. with up-to-date information regarding ongoing construction projects, planned infrastructure developments, and road closures to work towards standardized data formats and protocols. The vision for the future is to have autonomous shuttles in Downtown Kitchener between structured City parking facilities.
GeoMate Inc. is on a mission to unlock the power of artificial intelligence (AI) in mapping for smart mobility. In addition to the support of the Ontario government through OVIN, the partnership will see an additional $1,165,000 in industry contributions.
“We truly do have some of the best talent in Kitchener with so many makers, movers, shakers and innovators, so it's great to see this partnership, supported by provincial funding, to advance leading-edge research and development for autonomous driving technologies,” said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “The start-up culture and technology ecosystem we have throughout our broader region, helps to foster some of the biggest and brightest ideas and innovation.”
“Ontario is in the driver’s seat of the global automotive and mobility sector, unleashing its boundless potential to foster innovation and catalyze lasting economic growth. This critical investment by the Ontario government through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network reflects Ontario’s strong commitment to fostering partnerships with global industry leaders, accelerating the growth of Ontario-made technologies, and harnessing the power of homegrown Ontario companies to create jobs and drive prosperity. Together, we ensuring that Ontario will continue to be a global automotive and mobility leader for decades to come,” said Raed Kadri, Head of OVIN (OCI).
“We are thrilled to partner with the City of Kitchener on this groundbreaking project,” said Amin Gharebaghi, Co-founder & CEO of GeoMate. “Our advanced mapping technologies will not only support autonomous driving developments but also enhance smart mobility applications, ultimately contributing to a safer and more efficient transportation system for the community.”
“The project has a significant research and development component, necessitating a two-year timeline for completion. The City of Kitchener will gain immediate access to GeoMate’s technology to assess and improve transit accessibility, including enhancing connectivity between transit hubs for commuters. Additionally, this project will position the City of Kitchener as a hub for OEMs and autonomous driving players interested in testing and deploying their technologies in Kitchener.”
“This investment highlights the critical role our homegrown companies play in shaping the future of mobility. Through OVIN, we are proud to support ambitious, made-in-Ontario technologies that are advancing electrification, smart infrastructure, and connected vehicle solutions – accelerating commercialization and keeping Ontario at the forefront of the mobility revolution,” said Claudia Krywiak, President & CEO, Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI).
To learn more about the City’s Make It Kitchener 2.0 strategy visit www.makeitkitchener.ca and to learn more about GeoMate visit www.geomate.ca.
Make It Kitchener 2.0 is an ambitious plan to support economic recovery and to propel our community and economy forward by investing in catalytic growth opportunities and creating a resilient future where everyone can make a difference. To learn more visit www.makeitkitchener.ca
GeoMate specializes in creating high-precision, scalable HD maps of cities that are pivotal for smart mobility initiatives. By leveraging high resolution geospatial imagery and advanced artificial intelligence, GeoMate provides highly detailed and accurate maps, tailored for autonomous driving (AD), advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and urban planning. GeoMate’s innovative mapping solutions are instrumental in advancing smart mobility, supporting cities and industries in developing sustainable, connected, and automated transportation networks. For more information, visit www.geomate.ca.
The Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) is an initiative of the Government of Ontario, led by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), designed to reinforce Ontario’s position as a North American leader in advanced automotive technology and smart mobility solutions such as connected vehicles, autonomous vehicles and electric and low-carbon vehicle technologies.
Through resources such as research and development (R&D) support, talent and skills development, technology acceleration, business and technical supports, and demonstration grounds, OVIN provides a competitive advantage to Ontario-made automotive and mobility technology companies. For more information: https://www.ovinhub.ca
For more information, contact:
Krystin Scheels
Communications and Marketing Associate
City of Kitchener
media@kitchener.ca
Robert Macgregor
Director of Partnerships
GeoMate Inc.
