Partners
Innovation Saskatchewan funds research institutes and tech ecosystem organizations, expanding the agency’s impact.
Research Partners
Innovation Saskatchewan’s Research Partners advance innovation in the province and transform research into market-ready solutions.
Since 2005, CLS has enabled almost 6,000 scientists from 57 Canadian academic institutions and 45 countries to publish nearly 7,000 scientific papers, highlighting discoveries in a wide variety of fields, in over 1,000 international scientific collaborations.
Canadian Light Source (CLS)
Innovation Saskatchewan provides core funding to CLS — a Major Science Initiatives Fund research facility in Canada located at the University of Saskatchewan. CLS operates Canada’s only synchrotron, enabling scientists to advance discoveries and technologies in health sciences, agriculture, environment and advanced materials that transform the world.
In 2024, VIDO won an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract under the pre-clinical models of infectious disease program by the United States’ National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) - one of four international awardees and the only Canadian organization selected.
Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO)
Innovation Saskatchewan provides key funding to VIDO, a world leader in infectious disease research and vaccine development for humans and animals. Located on the University of Saskatchewan campus, VIDO is a Major Science Initiatives Fund research facility in Canada and one of the largest high containment facilities in the world with extensive vaccine manufacturing infrastructure.
In 2023-24, SHRF celebrated 20 years of investing in research that contributes to the improved health of Saskatchewan citizens through a high-performing health ecosystem with a robust culture of health research and innovation. This investment has built research capacity, ensuring we have world-class researchers working at world class provincial institutions; has leveraged additional dollars from national sources and like-minded partners; and has aligned to our provincial stakeholders’ needs, finding solutions to Saskatchewan’s most pressing health challenges.
Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF)
Innovation Saskatchewan contributes core funding to SHRF, the provincial agency responsible for funding, facilitating and promoting health research in Saskatchewan. Headquartered at Innovation Saskatchewan Research and Technology Park Saskatoon, SHRF funds high-impact, peer-reviewed research that enhances the health research ecosystem, drives nationally competitive innovation and delivers tailored solutions that respond to Saskatchewan’s unique and evolving health challenges.
IMII’s iMpowered scholarship program is dedicated to increasing Indigenous and female representation in Saskatchewan’s mining industry. In 2023, it awarded $125,000 to support these underrepresented groups.
International Minerals Innovation Institute (IMII)
Innovation Saskatchewan provides core funding to IMII, an industry-led institute supporting digital transformation of the mining and minerals sectors. Based at Innovation Saskatchewan Research and Technology Park Saskatoon, IMII supports research & development projects and education & training programs that position the province as a leader in sustainable mining.
In late 2024, PTRC announced the creation of the Energy Innovation Hub (EIH), supported by a $1.5 million investment from Innovation Saskatchewan. EIH will advance sustainable energy research and development in Saskatchewan.
Petroleum Technology Research Centre (PTRC)
Since 2016, the Saskatchewan Cyclotron Facility has supplied radiopharmaceuticals to the Royal University Hospital, reducing PET-CT scan wait times from four and a half weeks to just one week.
Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation (Fedoruk Centre)
Innovation Saskatchewan contributes core funding to the Fedoruk Centre, an advanced science facility on the University of Saskatchewan campus focused on nuclear research, development and training. The Fedoruk Centre operates Saskatchewan’s only cyclotron facility and provides funding opportunities for research projects, both of which have been instrumental in elevating Saskatchewan’s position as a global leader in nuclear research.
In the 2023-24 fiscal year, the University of Saskatchewan achieved a historic milestone, securing $417 million in research funding.
University of Saskatchewan (USask)
In 2022-23, the University generated $51.2 million in research revenue, underscoring its role as a hub for impactful research.
University of Regina (U of R)
1 in 19 jobs in Saskatchewan are supported by activities of Sask Polytech, its students and alumni.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic (Sask Polytech)
Technology Partners
Innovation Saskatchewan’s Technology Partners help grow the tech sector, increase access to funding and enhance Saskatchewan’s innovation ecosystem.
Co.Labs
Innovation Saskatchewan provides core funding to Co.Labs, Saskatchewan’s first tech incubator. Co.Labs helps high-growth tech startups reduce costs, make high-value connections, problem solve and scale fast. Headquartered at Innovation Saskatchewan Research and Technology Park Saskatoon, Co.Labs is crucial to growing Saskatchewan’s startup ecosystem.
Since its inception, Co.Labs has incubated over 200 startups that have collectively raised $42.2 million in private investment, generated $81.0 million in revenue, and created over 876 jobs during their time in Co.Labs’ programs.
Cultivator powered by Conexus (Cultivator)
Since 2019, Cultivator has been a catalyst for empowering innovators, incubating over 170 companies, raising more than $155 million in private capital, and generating over $113 million in revenue.
Global Agri-Food Advancement Partnership (GAAP)
Innovation Saskatchewan is a founding partner of GAAP, an agri-food investment incubator at Innovation Saskatchewan Research and Technology Park Saskatoon. GAAP specializes in advancing cutting-edge technologies from high-growth companies aiming to enhance efficiency, sustainability and profitability in the global agriculture and food sector.
GAAP’s NAVIGATE program helps international startups explore their fit and expansion potential into the North American marketplace. In 2023, 10 global startups visited Saskatchewan to learn more about the province’s agriculture ecosystem.
Emmertech
In 2021, Innovation Saskatchewan invested $15 million in Emmertech, a private investment firm specializing in agtech and agribusiness innovation. The fund targets Saskatchewan agtech companies ready to accelerate their products beyond the startup phase and scale their companies.
Emmertech is currently the biggest agtech venture capital fund in Canada, and one of the most active Canadian VC funds.
Opus
Innovation Saskatchewan is a proud partner of Opus, the University of Saskatchewan’s deep tech incubator for academic founders. The program provides essential support to help transition research-backed innovations from academia to market.
In its pilot year, Opus made an impressive impact, supporting over twelve startups and engaging more than 88 stakeholders, including influential community leaders, business innovators, entrepreneurs, and essential ecosystem service providers
Collaborators
Innovation Saskatchewan supports the province’s vibrant tech sector and research community through sponsorships, partnerships and board representation.
