Join us at McMaster Innovation Park for the SONAMI Showcase, an engaging session designed to help Ontario manufacturers navigate the path to innovation through funded applied research. In today’s rapidly changing business environment, staying ahead of the curve means leveraging support that moves at the speed of business. This showcase is your one-stop shop to discover how the Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI) connects industry leaders with the province-wide expertise, specialized equipment, and funding needed to solve complex manufacturing challenges. Whether you are looking to optimize production or develop new products, this event highlights how collaborative partnerships drive measurable results without slowing down your operations.

What you’ll learn:

• Funding and Opportunity Overviews: Gain a clear understanding of how the SONAMI program works and the specific funding opportunities available to support your innovation goals.

• Access to Expertise: Explore the vast capabilities and specialized equipment available through a network of leading post-secondary institutions across Ontario.

• Intellectual Property Support: Learn how Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) works with SONAMI to help you protect, maximize, and manage your innovations.

• Networking with Experts: Connect directly with industry experts, researchers, and fellow manufacturers who have successfully utilized the network to grow their businesses.

For founders and manufacturers in the transportation and mobility sectors, the ability to innovate rapidly is essential for maintaining a competitive edge. Accessing high-level research and development (R&D) resources can often feel out of reach due to costs or technical barriers. This event bridges that gap by showing you how to tap into a collaborative ecosystem that provides hands-on, practical support. By attending, you’ll gain the visibility and strategic connections needed to accelerate your product development and achieve market readiness.

Who should attend:

• Manufacturers and Industry Leaders: Small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) looking for efficient ways to solve technical manufacturing hurdles.

• Economic Development Professionals: Individuals looking to provide greater value and resources to the manufacturing communities they support.

• Innovation Supporters: Members of industry associations focused on advancing Ontario’s manufacturing and technology sectors.

Meet the speakers:

Mitchell Lutz, Industry Partnerships Manager, SONAMI: Mitchell leads the charge in connecting industry partners with the research expertise found within the SONAMI network. He will provide a deep dive into how manufacturers can leverage funded research to drive growth.

Steve Remilli, Manager, McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI): Steve brings extensive experience in advanced manufacturing and will share insights into the specialized equipment and technical capabilities available at McMaster University to help founders scale their innovations.

Simon Coulson, Manager, Mohawk College’s Additive Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC): Simon helps companies adopt 3D printing technologies to prototype faster and create complex, high-value components.

Neil Wilkinson, Associate Director, Niagara College’s Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre: Neil’s team specializes in reverse engineering, 3D technologies, and lean manufacturing to streamline your production cycle.

Ian Butcher, Senior Manager, Research Projects at Fanshawe College: Ian facilitates collaborative projects that utilize Fanshawe’s technical expertise to solve immediate manufacturing obstacles.

Arbab Khan, Program Manager, Product Development Exchange at George Brown College: Arbab leads efforts in product design and testing, helping startups turn conceptual sketches into market-ready physical products.

Jennifer Andersen, Director, Centre for Advancement of Water and Wastewater Technologies (CAWT) at Fleming College: Jennifer provides specialized expertise in water treatment and environmental technologies for manufacturers looking to green their operations.

Fereydoon Diba, Lead Research Scientist at Fleming College’s CAMIIT: Fereydoon specializes in applied machine intelligence, helping manufacturers integrate smart sensors and automation into their workflows.

Jeff Paddock, Manager – Partnership Development, SMART Centre at Conestoga College: Jeff focuses on the “SMART” side of industry—integrating electronics, ICT, and high-performance manufacturing solutions.

Jonathan Hack, Dean, Centennial Innovates at Centennial College: Jonathan brings a high-level strategic lens to innovation, with deep roots in aerospace manufacturing and applied research leadership.

Ethan Shen, Manager, Centre for Intelligent Manufacturing (CIM) at Sheridan Research: Ethan’s work focuses on robotics and the digital twin landscape, helping manufacturers optimize systems through intelligent data and automation.

Accessibility and Accommodation Requests

We are committed to providing inclusive, accessible event spaces. Please review the Accessibility Statement on our website for details regarding our Hamilton and Halton office locations. If you require additional accommodations, please contact [email protected].