The Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program of the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is hosting its fifth annual IDEaS Marketplace, which will be held at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa, Ontario, on Friday, May 29, 2026, from 9:00 to 16:00.

Last year’s IDEaS Marketplace was a remarkable success with over 550 stakeholders and more than 700 attendees present. The event showcased accomplishments by innovators solicited through Competitive Projects’ CFP5 challenges, the winners of the 2024 Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (CUAS) Contest, the Mine-Breaching Challenge, and the Canadian qualifiers for the NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA).

This event is by invitation only and aims to create new opportunities for innovators funded through the IDEaS program and NATO DIANA to present their solutions to the DND/CAF, and other potential end users within the public and private sector. Invited guests will include:

• Existing IDEaS stakeholders within the DND/CAF;
• Representatives of large defence and security firms; and
• Federal and provincial government partners supporting innovation.

To be featured at the 2026 IDEaS Marketplace, innovators must have participated and/or completed projects under the:

• Challenges 11 to 14 of the Competitive Project’s Component 1B of CFP5 and/or any Component 2 projects;
• The Contest winners of the CUAS Urban Sandbox;
• The winners of the IDEaS/NORAD Modernization contest;
• The 2025 Cohort of Canadian NATO DIANA innovators;
• Any innovators continuing in the Advancing 5G and Munitions challenge and, any relevant Test Drives and Component 2 projects.

Marketplace 2026 will also showcase the winners from the 2025 IDEaS/NORAD Modernization Contest for the first time.

Innovators will have the chance to showcase their solutions in a five-minute presentation. These engaging talks will address a number of challenges faced by DND/CAF. Some of the topics include:

• Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems
• Low carbon energy generation
• Mine Breaching innovations
• Autonomous Networking Frameworks
• Joint Situation Threat Assessment
• Sub-Zero infrastructure, security, and sensors
• Full spectrum communications in the Arctic
• Quantum technologies
• Artificial Intelligence enabled innovations
• Off-grid Energy Solutions

This is a great opportunity to connect with innovators and potential end-users, create new partnerships, and witness impactful solutions. Participation in this event is FREE and by invitation only as attendance is limited. 

If you have any questions regarding the event, or would like to refer a contact to request an invitation, please reach out to the IDEaS Marketplace team at IdeasMarketplace-IdeesMarche@forces.gc.ca.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• The 2026 IDEaS Marketplace agenda, speakers, and resources will be posted when they are available.