Dual-Use & Defence 101 Day

A Regional Alignment & Education Initiative

About Dual-Use Day

A clear, practical entry point into the defence ecosystem.

Sandbox Centre, in partnership with PerceptX, the City of Barrie (Invest Barrie) and supported by Simcoe County, is convening a Regional Dual-Use Defence 101 Day to align regional stakeholders around a shared understanding of the defence and dual-use market.

As interest in dual-use and defence opportunities continues to grow, there is a need for a grounded understanding of how the market operates, what is required to engage, and where opportunities and challenges exist.

This is a free, full-day session built for learning and connection, bringing together senior leaders with deep experience across defence policy and procurement alongside people actively working in the space today.

Event Details

Date: Monday, June 15th, 2026
Time: 8:30am - 5:30pm
Location: 24 Maple Ave, 2nd Floor, Barrie ON L4M7W4
Format: Panel discussions, expert presentations, structured networking.
Entry: Closed, application-based. Participation subject to review and approval.
Apply Now
Companies actively exploring dual-use opportunities or considering entry into the defence market, SMEs with existing civilian technologies seeking to assess defence market fit. Participants are selected to ensure relevance and quality of engagement.
Target Participants

Who This Is For

Growth-Stage Companies, Scaling SMEs, and Application-Based participants.
Small and medium-sized enterprises from Simcoe County and broader Ontario
Technology startups with dual-use or defence-adjacent capabilities
Municipal officials and economic development officers, academic and innovation ecosystem representatives
Defence industry practitioners, procurement professionals
10 Companies. One-On-One With Our Defence Practitioners.

Submitting an application gives your company the opportunity to be considered for one of 10 dedicated 30 minute one-on-one sessions with our defence practitioners — a direct, private conversation about where your organization fits and a chance to go deeper on the complexities, opportunities, and risks that could apply to your situation.

These sessions are pre-matched based on your responses and are designed for the questions that go beyond the main program.

The Room You Want To Be In
Confirmed Speakers*

Additional speakers and panelists to be announced

*subject to change

Direction of the Day

Event Flow

The day is structured in two distinct parts. The morning is dedicated to education — building the foundational knowledge every company needs before engaging with the defence sector. The afternoon shifts to application, connection, and deeper one-on-one engagement.

What's Included in the Morning

Education & Foundation

Session One: Defence 101

The Global and Canadian Defence Market

Session Three: Industry Dynamics

The Executive Perspective

Session Two: Canadian Defence Procurement

The Government View

What's Included in the Afternoon

Application & Connection

1:1 Expert Sessions

10 Companies Selected

Session Five: Founder To Force Multiplier

Industry Leaders Panel

Session Four: Accelerating & Commercializing

Defence Initiatives

Session Six: Boots On The Ground

International Defence Relationships

MORNING SESSION 1 | 9:20 AM – 10:35 AM

Defence 101: The Global and Canadian Defence Market

Mike Petric  |  PerceptX

The Global Defence Market Super Cycle

What is driving record global defence spending, why it is accelerating, and what this means for Canadian companies with relevant capabilities.

Canada's Defence Spending Pivot

The Canadian government's commitment of an incremental C$81.8B over five years — how it may be deployed, which sectors it will prioritize, and what it opens up for Ontario-based industry.

Why This Market Is Hard to Enter

The structural barriers that prevent capable companies from engaging — certifications, standards, procurement timelines, and the relationship dynamics that govern how contracts are awarded.

The Dual-Use Dilemma

Key certifications, standards, and resources for companies with civilian technologies that have defence application. Navigating this space requires informed strategy, not just capable products.

MORNING SESSION 2  |  10:50 AM – 12:05 PM

Canadian Defence Procurement: The Government View

Troy Crosby  &  Andre Filion

How Canadian Defence Procurement Actually Works

The governing bodies, approval processes, and decision-making structures — explained by two people who sat at the table for decades.

Policy Landscape: Buy Canadian & Industrial Benefits

The Defence Investment Agency, Buy Canadian Policy, Industrial and Technological Benefits, and what these frameworks mean for companies seeking to engage.

The Practical Realities of Federal Engagement

What the engagement timeline actually looks like, how relationships with procurement officers are built, and what new entrants consistently get wrong.

What Government Looks For, and Common Pitfalls

The signals that build credibility with procurement decision-makers and the mistakes that immediately disqualify companies from serious consideration.

AFTERNOON OVERVIEW  |  2:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Application & Connection

The afternoon shifts from education to engagement. Sessions bring in a broader set of voices, the 1:1 sessions run in parallel for selected companies, and the day closes with a networking reception.

2:30 PM | Parallel 1:1 Expert Sessions

One-On-One Sessions

10 selected companies meet with defence practitioners. Pre-matched based on application responses. Designed for questions that go beyond the main program.

Mike Petric & Expert Panel
2:30 PM | Session 4

Accelerating and Commercializing Defence Initiatives

A practical roadmap from concept to commercialization. Navigating procurement pathways, entering supply chains, scaling effectively, and leveraging funding programs including Fuse Accelerator.

Albert Behr | Darian Harris | FedDev
3:00 PM | Session 5

Founder to Force Multiplier: Real Insights

A candid panel of industry leaders sharing first-hand experiences navigating entry into defence and dual-use markets — lessons learned, pitfalls, and what actually moves the needle.

Moderated Panel
3:30 PM | Session 6

Boots on the Ground: International Defence Relationships

What it takes to establish relationships in the global defence landscape. Navigating international markets, working across governments and militaries, and building trusted partnerships.

Frank Taylor | Adam Varey

Closing Remarks 4:00 PM Networking Reception 4:15 – 5:30 PM

What Participants Will Leave With

The goal is not to provide direct advisory or transactional support. Instead, participants will leave with:

Realistic Sector Understanding

A grounded view of how the defence and dual-use market actually operates, including procurement dynamics, policy realities, and industry expectations.

Clarity on Next Steps

A clear sense of whether and how to engage further with defence and dual-use opportunities, and which programming streams are right for your organization.

Regional Alignment

Strengthened awareness across the region and a foundation for future programming and deeper engagement in the defence and dual-use space.

SCOPE OF INFORMATION SHARED

Important Notes for Participants

This event is designed for building realistic understanding of the sector, clarity on next steps, and regional connection.
This event is not for:
  • Direct advisory or transactional support
  • Legal or financial advice
  • Specific procurement recommendations

Chatham House Rule

To maintain confidentiality, no photography, video recording, or audio recording will be permitted during any part of the event, including one-on-one sessions. 

“Participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.”

 

Join Us For Dual-Use & Defence 101 Day

Submit your application

This is a curated, closed session, participants are selected to ensure relevance and quality of engagement.

Apply Now
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