L-Spark plans defence-tech accelerator in Kanata
The Kanata-based startup accelerator aims to help Canadian tech companies tap into federal defence spending, launching a "dual-use" program with military veterans.
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L-Spark, the Kanata-based startup accelerator, is exploring a new program to help emerging Canadian tech companies capture a share of federal defence spending.
Managing director Leo Lax said the organization has been in discussions with potential partners to create an accelerator targeting small and medium-sized firms developing "dual-use" technologies—innovations that can serve both military and commercial customers.
"We haven't forgotten the fact that aside from having sovereign compute capability, we also want to remain as a sovereign nation," Lax said. "So we are going to work towards establishing a dual-use defence accelerator."
The move comes as defence spending ramps up. The Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries reports the sector generated more than $17 billion in revenues in 2024 and employed nearly 82,000 people. The federal government has pledged to invest five per cent of Canada's GDP in defence by 2035—translating to roughly $160 billion in additional spending over the next decade. Ottawa plans to prioritize domestic suppliers under its new Defence Investment Strategy.
L-Spark, funded largely by Wesley Clover, has five full-time staff and recently launched a program pairing five startups with Telus to build AI solutions on the telecom giant's supercomputer in Rimouski, Quebec. The organization also runs a successful partnership with Kanata-based Mitel, where eight Canadian startups are now certified to provide AI-powered products to Mitel customers.
Lax said the defence-tech accelerator idea is still in early talks with Canadian Armed Forces veterans on the concept. "We do have lots of talks, but this is all a dream scenario until somebody signs the contract," he cautioned.