Are you a Canadian startup looking to test your technological solution with a global player in the aerospace and defense industry?
Developed in partnership with Centech, Safran Explore Canada is an ongoing matchmaking initiative between Safran and Canadian startups and scaleups. Its goal is to identify innovative solutions in several strategic areas for Safran, helping address the challenges of decarbonization and digital transformation in the aerospace industry.
Collaborations take the form of targeted connections with Safran Corporate Venture teams, either through open innovation activities (collaborative projects co‑funded by Safran) or with an investment-oriented approach.
We are looking for ambitious and motivated companies who want to accelerate the commercialization of their technological solution and participate in the transformation of the aerospace sector by meeting the following challenges:
How can we strengthen the defense and autonomy capabilities of embedded systems using AI, multi-sensor fusion, and frugal, resilient real-time architectures?
Development of real-time embedded systems for navigation, multi-sensor fusion, image processing, and 3D reconstruction (SLAM, photogrammetry). Automatic annotation solutions on ruggedized computers with low C-SWaP. Near real-time infrastructures for multimodal fusion and embedded code generation. Frugal approach combining AI accelerators, LLM/VLM, and rapid retraining, applied to perception, robotics, autonomous drones, and defense (anti-drones, Golden Dome).
How can we develop more efficient and sustainable propulsion systems using new energy sources, innovative architectures, and advanced materials?
Development of new energy sources (hybrid, electric, alternative fuels) and innovative propulsion architectures: rotary detonation engines, ramjets, and pulse engines. Subsonic/supersonic engines for drones, missiles, and training targets. Use of advanced materials and processes (composites, additive manufacturing) and design of rare earth-free magnets.
How can quantum sensors and artificial intelligence be combined to develop more accurate, autonomous, and resilient navigation systems?
Development of quantum sensors for alternative navigation (P&N) and timing synchronization. Integration of AI for GPS/INS hybridization, signal fusion, and reinforcement learning to improve the accuracy and resilience of navigation systems.
If selected to join the Safran Explore Canada initiative, you will get to demonstrate the benefits of your solution to Safran and develop a privileged collaboration with one of its business units.
You’ll also strengthen your knowledge of the aerospace market with the help of Safran technical experts, and work with its business coaches on taking your company to the next level.
Collaborate with Safran’s technical experts to implement a pilot project funded by one of Safran’s business units.
Visibility to Safran’s decision makers and innovation managers during the whole initiative so you can improve the chances of long-term cooperation with Safran.
Access to a network of high-tech investors via Safran Corporate Ventures and Centech. The Safran Corporate Ventures investment team will analyze your company for a potential investment.
Startups are selected on a rolling basis, with pitch sessions organized once per quarter.
Express your interest by completing this short form. If your application is selected, you will be contacted and informed of the date of your speed‑dating session with the Safran teams.
This initiative offers innovators the opportunity to develop pilot projects in direct collaboration with Safran teams, with the aim of integrating their technologies into the group’s products, processes, and services.
“Safran Explore Canada provided Metaspectral with a stepping stone into the European defense market. Safran opened its doors to us and, despite being a small startup, treated us as an equal partner from the very beginning.”
Francis Doumet
Co-founder & CEO of Metaspectral
Prevents defects with predictive production analysis.
Develops superconducting cables for reliable power networks.
Optimizes production with industrial vision.
Manufactures metal powders for advanced 3D printing.
Produces sustainable materials, including an ultra-strong aluminum alloy.
Designs sensor systems for 4D mapping.
Uses AI for hyperspectral material analysis.
Creates photonic gyroscopes for autonomous vehicles.
Enables AI for smart radios and communications.
Develops quantum magnetic sensors to reveal the invisible.
Companies may select only one specific challenge when applying to Safran Explore Canada. Please note that the “open challenge” will allow the selection of a single “favourite” company chosen by Safran.
Program activities, including follow-ups, coaching and meetings with Safran’s technical experts and innovation managers, will take place mainly online, to keep travel costs to a minimum and preserve the environment.
Please note that space will be available for in-person meetings at Centech in Montreal (Quebec, Canada).
The kick-off meeting (June 11-12, 2024) will be held in person in Montreal, and the final “Innovation Showcase” (November 2024, date to be defined) will be held in person as well (location to be defined).
This initiative does not require any equity investment from participating companies, nor does it charge any initiative fees to those participants.
Certain travel expenses may be covered by Mitacs at the request of companies (if applicable), in the event of travel to France for the final “Innovation Showcase” event in November 2024.
Travel expenses for attending the kick-off meeting in Montreal on June 11 and 12, 2024, will be defrayed by the participating companies.
No transfer of intellectual property rights, in whole or in part, will be made without the prior written consent of the participating companies. Where necessary, intellectual property will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis, depending on the implemented projects.
Participating companies will be required to sign a non-disclosure and confidentiality agreement stipulating the main conditions governing any potential disclosure of confidential information, governing and protecting discussions and exchanges of information between the participating company and Safran.
We invite you to consult the initiative’s legal notices.
Safran Corporate Ventures was created to connect Safran to the ecosystem of young innovative companies in the aviation, space and defense sectors. Safran Corporate Ventures supports these companies by providing Group expertise and financial resources for their development: access to an international network of experts, commercial and industrial exposure, implementation of commercial or development agreements between the portfolio’s startups and the Group’s various entities.
As part of the initiative, Safran Corporate Ventures will facilitate exchanges between the selected companies and Safran’s business units, to accelerate communication and collaboration with teams and technical experts in charge of challenges.
With an investment budget of 130 million euros, Safran Corporate Ventures bases its investment strategy on the following underlying principles:
Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defence and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 92,000 employees and sales of 23.2 billion euros in 2023, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets. Safran undertakes research and development programs to maintain the environmental priorities of its R&T and innovation roadmap.
Centech is an ecosystem that propels technological innovation and entrepreneurship projects from science and engineering. Open to all, Centech was founded in 1996 by the École de technologie supérieure. Thanks to its programs, Centech acts as a real instrument of growth, thus creating one of the largest concentrations of technology entrepreneurs in the start-up phase in Quebec and Canada. Since 2018, Centech has its own open innovation hub, the Collision Lab, where large companies are supported in their open innovation initiatives in collaboration with technology startups.
