June 1, 2026
The new partnership was formally launched during Toronto Tech Week, where Innovatum Science Park was on site in Toronto to meet with key players from the Canadian innovation and startup ecosystem.
The agreement reflects a shared commitment to developing a long-term partnership between the parties. The focus includes knowledge exchange, best practices, participation in events, workshops, and delegations, as well as exploring future international projects and initiatives.
For Innovatum Science Park, the partnership represents a step toward strengthening the international network surrounding its entire operation. Through this partnership, new opportunities are created to build relationships, increase international visibility, exchange knowledge, and foster more connections between startups, projects, partners, and innovation ecosystems in Sweden and Canada.
“International partnerships are a key part of how we develop our startup operations and create value for companies over time. Through our partnership with DMZ, we are strengthening Innovatum’s international network and building more bridges between startups, expertise, capital, and markets,” says Frida Finnman, Head of Incubation & Acceleration at Innovatum Science Park
Based at Toronto Metropolitan University, DMZ is a tech incubator and global startup ecosystem that fosters entrepreneurship in Canada and through its international network spanning more than fifteen countries. Through this partnership, the parties aim to forge stronger ties between Sweden and Canada, with a particular focus on startups, innovation, entrepreneurship, and international ecosystem development.
“We’re excited to be partnering with Innovatum Science Park and exploring how our ecosystems can open new doors for founders, partners, and innovation leaders in both Canada and Sweden,” says Abdullah Snobar, Executive Director of DMZ and CEO of DMZ Ventures. “We’re also looking forward to learning from Innovatum’s deep expertise in defense innovation as we continue to expand our own work in this field and find new ways to support globally-minded startups tackling complex challenges.”
In the long term, the two organizations hope to expand their collaboration through so-called "soft landing" opportunities—where startups and entrepreneurs are given better opportunities to understand, test, and establish themselves in new markets through local networks and partners.
During its visit to Toronto, Innovatum also took part in DMZ’s “Camel Ceremony”—a symbol of DMZ’s approach to sustainable startup building. Their approach is based on the idea that not every company needs to become a “unicorn.” Instead, they emphasize the importance of building companies that are sustainable, adaptable, and resilient—just like camels.
For Innovatum, the partnership represents yet another way to strengthen the organization’s international network and create more opportunities for companies, projects, and partners moving forward.
DMZ is a tech incubator and startup ecosystem that drives entrepreneurship in Canada and internationally. Through its award-winning programs, DMZ helps founders scale impact-driven companies, strengthens students’ entrepreneurial skills, and provides professionals with the tools to thrive in a rapidly changing economy. With tailored support, world-class resources, and extensive networks, DMZ helps new ideas grow, drives business development, and creates global economic impact.
To date, DMZ has supported over 2,630 startups, which together have raised $3.1 billion in funding and created more than 25,400 jobs. Headquartered in Toronto, DMZ operates a global network of hubs in over 15 countries, enabling entrepreneurs to reach new markets, collaborate internationally, and drive global innovation.
