Canada's Global Innovation Clusters are delivering worldwide impacts. From self-driving vehicles, robots for sanitization, prediction tools for patient treatment, augmented reality for aircraft repair, development of new plant-based alternatives, and the latest technology to protect our oceans, the clusters are fostering innovation across industries to benefit Canadians.
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Innovation Cluster Ecosystem Impact Framework
To track the impact and progress of the Global Innovation Clusters, the program recently developed a made-in-Canada performance measurement framework called the Innovation Cluster Ecosystem Impact Framework (ICEIF). The ICEIF is a shared framework built around the Global Innovation Clusters program's core objectives:
- A Creator of Networks - Strengthen connections and collaborations between private, public, and academic organizations to drive impactful commercialization outcomes and develop domestic capacity.
- A Catalyst for Skills Development - Address skills gaps, act as a magnet for global talent, collaboration, and skills and talent development, and foster opportunities for equity-seeking groups to benefit from connections, to drive innovation and contribute to inclusive economic growth.
- A Driver of Growth - Accelerate the scale-up of SMEs in cluster projects by fostering collaboration and integration into emerging value chains, to drive international opportunities, expand market share, and grow revenues.
- A National Force - Develop ecosystems that create a global advantage for Canada by attracting investment, developing a global profile, and collaborating on projects at a national scale.
The five Global Innovation Clusters have each created an individual framework that reflects its unique ecosystem impacts, which collectively complement and integrate with the program ICEIF. The ICEIF is tailored so that each cluster can tell a performance story that best reflects its contribution and impact to Canada.
This framework is designed to be iterative and will continue to be refined and evolve as Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) works with the clusters to measure and report on their ongoing impact.
For more information on the ICEIF please Contact us.
Clusters are delivering
A creator of networks
With the support, resources, networks and expertise of the clusters, Canadian small and medium sized enterprises SMEs are scaling up and driving growth, productivity and innovation in Canada.
As of fiscal year 2024-2025, 42.8% of SME cluster project partners are high-growth firms based on revenue, compared to a national baseline of 6.8%.
Notes:
- The national baseline used to compare program results is sourced from Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada for the year 2021.
- The Global Innovation Clusters program results are based on Statistics Canada data from 2022 reference year and program partners as of fiscal year 2024-2025.
- While the charts describe Cluster partner attributes, one can't definitively say that participation in Cluster projects is what produced these attributes.
A catalyst for skills development
Each Cluster is making a unique contribution to meet Canada's current and future workforce needs through skills training, capacity building and talent attraction.
Growing innovation ecosystems requires highly skilled and diverse talent. To meet this critical demand the clusters have brought together partners to create programs and initiatives that nurture highly skilled workers to fulfill Canada's current and future workforce needs.
164,000
participants have benefited from cluster education, awareness, training and mentoring opportunities.
A driver of growth
Growing and supporting SMEs is key to advancing Canada's competitive edge internationally. The Global Innovation Clusters strengthen SMEs by connecting them to customers and supply chains, helping them build strong networks and leverage expertise, and assisting them to scale up and access new markets. (EY Report 2022, available upon request)
75%
of organizations participating in a Cluster-funded project anticipated or experienced an increase in scale-up potential.
A national force
The clusters are bolstering the global reach of their ecosystems and building competitive advantage through strategic partnerships and innovative projects. By helping businesses access new global markets and opportunities, businesses are able to earn more, grow faster and build stronger market resiliency.
As of fiscal year 2024-2025, 23% of Cluster SME project partners are generating significant export revenue, compared to a national baseline of 15.1%.
Notes:
- The national baseline used to compare program results is sourced from Global Affairs Canada for the year 2023.
- The Global Innovation Clusters program results are based on Statistics Canada data from 2022 reference year and program partners as of fiscal year 2024-2025.
- While the charts describe Cluster partner attributes, one can't definitively say that participation in Cluster projects is what produced these attributes.
Targets and goals
The clusters are delivering strong results against the targets and goals they set out to achieve when the program launched in 2017.
* The leverage ratio refers to the ratio of federal investment to investment of industry and other partners towards announced core cluster projects.
Cluster impacts
Since 2018, the clusters have strengthened innovation ecosystems by creating partnerships between SMEs, large firms, not-for-profits, and academia. By investing in promising projects from the partnerships, the clusters help firms scale up, develop and protect their IP, create high-quality jobs, and position Canada as a global leader in the innovation space and the five identified sectors.
Announced projects
As of December 31, 2025, the clusters have approved 676 projects.
Project partners
These projects have involved 3,500 partners. Of these partners, more than half are small and medium-sized enterprises (1,805).
Co-investment with industry
The program has had a total co-investment of over $3.39 billion to date. This includes a contribution of more than $2.11 billion from industry and other partners, and more than $1.28 billion in federal funding.
Licenses to foreground intellectual property granted to third parties
More than 6,000 licenses to foreground intellectual property (IP) granted to third parties.
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Questions?
For any other questions you might have about the program, read our Frequently asked questions page or contact us. We aim to acknowledge receipt in 5 business days, and respond within 7 business days. More about our service standards.