What is Dual-Use? Online Session
What is Dual-Use?
Think of dual-use as a handshake between your company and the government. You have a great company, but there needs to be a government contract on the other end to make building for that market worth it. This is the way public procurement works.
Without market demand in the form of a government contract or development grant, innovation is just a great idea without a business case.
That handshake doesn’t happen automatically. Government buyers care less about whether your product works, and more about evaluating whether you can operate inside their world: procurement processes, compliance requirements, interoperability standards, security, governance, clearances and supply chain rules.
This is the gap the ARC Lab is built to close. Rather than leaving companies to figure out these processes on their own, ARC Lab runs a six-month intensive program that examines whether you are viable, trusted and prepared to build long-term relationships with defence buyers.
The stakes are real. Canadian companies that get this right open up opportunities for serious revenue, the economy keeps more value from the global market, and the IP stays Canadian-owned. With Canada's new Defence Industrial Strategy putting close to $180 billion in procurement and $290 billion in related capital investment on the table over the next decade, missing this window has never been higher.
This webinar will feature various companies at different stages of their dual-use defence journey.
Alan Burgess, SprayWerx: An early-stage technology company developing solutions with applications across both commercial and defence markets. SprayWerx is exploring how its emerging capabilities can create value across sectors while building a strategic pathway into the defence and dual-use ecosystem.
Al Viger, Caseway: An established technology company specializing in secure AI solutions for regulated environments. Building on its existing commercial capabilities and experience, Caseway is exploring opportunities within the defence sector and how its technology can be applied to new defence and government use cases.
Owen Riley, Fathom Storage: Fathom Storage is a Canadian ocean technology company developing innovative anchoring solutions for offshore applications. Originally developed for floating renewable energy, Fathom’s technology also has defence and maritime sensing applications, including rapid, air-deployable anchoring systems. The company is exploring how its technology can serve both commercial and defence markets as it builds its dual-use pathway.
This event is hosted by Alacrity Canada, and sponsored by North Forge and Yukon Venture Angels.
About Alacrity Canada
We back founders bringing Canadian technologies to the world stage. Through market-driven programs, funding opportunities, and advisory services, our tailored support helps homegrown businesses scale rapidly. Over the past 15 years, we have supported 24k+ entrepreneurs and created $1.8B+ of collective company value.
About North Forge
North Forge™ is an award-winning not-for-profit that helps people start and grow businesses through resources, programming, and mentorship — breaking down the cost barriers and accessibility to an innovation ecosystem. We help validate ideas, build prototypes, launch companies, create jobs, and grow sustainable businesses from Manitoba to global markets.
About Yukon Venture Angels
YVA engages with all Yukoners keen to learn, engage, and invest in local and national enterprise. We mobilize a community of increasingly sophisticated investors no matter where they are starting from.