Source publication date: September 29, 2026
Program horizon: Four years
Community: Oshawa, Whitby and Durham Region
Format: Official civic-university partnership announcement
Original source: Ontario Tech University — Expanding opportunities for mobility innovators in Durham Region
People mentioned: Durham Regional Chair John Henry; Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter; Oshawa Regional Councillor Tito-Dante Marimpietri; Ontario Tech Vice-President Les Jacobs; OVIN Head Raed Kadri; OVIN Deputy Head Mona Eghanian
Verification date: September 30, 2026
A City of Oshawa-led partnership will oversee the Durham Region Innovation and Vehicle Ecosystem, known as DRIVE, with Ontario Tech University running its day-to-day operations and core programs.
Other public and community partners identified by the university are the Region of Durham, the Town of Whitby and the 1855 Whitby Accelerator. DRIVE is Durham Region’s hub in the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network.
Support planned for more than 60 companies
Ontario Tech says DRIVE is expected to provide business-development and testing opportunities to more than 60 Ontario mobility and transportation small and medium-sized enterprises over the next four years.
Participating companies will be based in the Innovation Garage at Ontario Tech’s ACE facility. The university says they will receive discounted access to specialized testing equipment and research facilities designed to reproduce real-world conditions.
Programs and technical support
The partnership is intended to connect companies with university researchers, business support and facilities. Programs named in the announcement include the Mobility Accelerator, Brilliant Incubator and investment opportunities delivered through Ontario Tech’s Brilliant Catalyst entrepreneurship hub.
The announcement also identifies industry participation in rail, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and micromobility. The targets and expected benefits are commitments described by the partners; this story does not independently measure future program outcomes.
Sources and verification
- Ontario Tech University — Ontario Tech University expanding opportunities for mobility innovators in Durham Region, published September 29, 2026; full original checked September 30, 2026.
- Ontario Tech Brilliant Catalyst — DRIVE program page, linked by the official announcement and checked as the program reference.
- DurhamPoliticians.com newsroom archive, checked September 30, 2026 for duplicate coverage.
Image note: Original conceptual editorial image of a mobility testing lab. It does not depict the actual DRIVE launch, ACE facility, vehicles, partners or participants.
Corrections: Contact DurhamPoliticians.com to report a correction.