Boston Dual-Use Defence Tech Canadian Technology Accelerator

Are you a Canadian technology company with a dual-use defence technology? Join the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) in Boston for the Canadian Technology Accelerator (CTA) program organized around the November 2026 Dual-Use Innovation Symposium in Boston.  

As part of this program, the TCS in Boston will recruit 10 to 12 companies to participate both in-person at the Symposium, and virtually in a series of educational and mentoring sessions. In addition, participants will receive tailored introductions leading up to the conference. Canadian clients with technology in the unmanned systems/autonomy, alternative energy, bio defence and marine technology sectors that are interested in exploring potential defence applications for their technology are encouraged to apply. 

MassChallenge’s Dual-Use Innovation Defence Symposium is an annual event that features:

• flash talks led by industry experts
• office hours with military representatives, defence primes, investors, non-dilutive funding experts and partners to explore collaboration and networking opportunities with the New England defence ecosystem

MassChallenge is a global, zero-equity startup accelerator founded in Boston. MassChallenge serves as a core accelerator site and strategic implementation partner for NATO DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic). In addition to NATO DIANA, MassChallenge has run defence and security-themed accelerator programs in collaboration with the United States (U.S.) Air Force, U.S. Navy, and defence primes.

• Opportunity to connect directly with U.S. defence customers at the Dual-use symposium
• Virtual educations sessions on accessing the U.S. defence procurement and innovation ecosystem
• Curated introductions to potential buyers, investors and strategic partners
• Mentorship and advice on engaging with and pitching to key contacts in the U.S.

We are seeking innovative Canadian technology companies that are looking to explore dual-use opportunities in the defence industry. 

Your company must have: 

• commercialized solutions with applications in the defence industry
• investment and/or business development targets in the U.S.
• the ability to commit to virtual and in person programming 

While companies across all dual-use defence subsectors are encouraged to apply, priority will be given to those in:

• remote power and alternative energy systems
• autonomous systems (robotics, drones) and counter uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) technology
• healthcare technology with applications for bio defence and/or soldier protection
• novel material technology

The CTA program is delivered in a hybrid format from September to November 2026. Participants will be onboarded in late September, with virtual programing taking place throughout October. In-person attendance at the Dual-Use Innovation Symposium in Boston on November 5 is mandatory.

This CTA will bring together between 10 to 12 Canadian companies willing and able to participate in one-on-one meetings as well as group sessions. 

The program will include:

• webinars and workshops on doing business in the U.S. defence industry, the U.S. defence innovation ecosystem, tech scouting organizations and strategic partners
• market insights from industry experts, venture capital firms and corporate venture capital firms to help refine pitches for the U.S. market
• tailored one-on-one mentoring sessions to help refine and validate market entry strategies and connect participants with local contacts
• targeted business-to-business (B2B) meetings and networking opportunities with potential
• partner, investor and client participation to explore proof-of-concept (PoC) projects, research and development partners