Bridging innovation: 91��Ʒ��ϳԹ� and Kinaxis forge a pathway between research and industry

In Ottawa’s tech corridor, where innovation pulses through labs and boardrooms alike, a new chapter is being written—one where academia and industry work side by side to shape the future of supply chains. The University of Ottawa and Kinaxis have officially signed a five-year partnership designed to co-develop advanced technologies while providing real-world experience to the next generation of innovators.

This is more than a collaboration: it’s a blueprint for how universities and companies can work together to spark transformative change.

A meeting of minds and missions

Kinaxis, the Kanata-based global leader in supply chain orchestration, brings decades of expertise in solving complex logistic challenges for some of the world’s biggest companies—from automakers to energy giants to consumer goods titans. As a top research institution just minutes away, 91��Ʒ��ϳԹ� offers world-class research capabilities, a vibrant pool of tech talent, and a growing track record of working alongside industry. The alignment was natural.

“We are thrilled to partner with 91��Ʒ��ϳԹ�,” said Gelu Ticala, chief technology officer at Kinaxis. “We’re looking forward to all the learning, innovation and positive impacts that can come out of this—for the students, the University and supply chains.”

This long-term partnership allows master’s and doctoral students to engage in hands-on research and development with Kinaxis teams. It also provides researchers with a direct link to industry problems—an invaluable context for academic innovation.

Co-innovation in action

At the heart of the partnership is a shared goal: to develop technologies that address real-world challenges—particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence, machine learning, optimization and the next generation of user interfaces. One core research objective is to explore novel, computationally efficient methods for solving large and sparse systems of linear equations—a foundational piece of supply chain optimization.

This is high-level work with high-impact potential.

Together, Kinaxis and 91��Ʒ��ϳԹ� aim to create tools and solutions that are technically sound and accessible to nonspecialists in order to broaden adoption and understanding across industries.

This applied research is purposeful and designed with the end user in mind.

A talent pipeline with purpose

While new technology is one pillar of this partnership, the other is equally critical: people.

The 91��Ʒ��ϳԹ� students participating in this collaboration will gain direct experience working on industry-driven research projects. They’ll have access to Kinaxis labs, tools and mentorship, allowing them to build a skillset that can’t be learned in a lecture hall alone.

For Kinaxis, it’s a way to invest in the next generation of supply chain leaders—and benefit from the fresh ideas and approaches that come with academic collaboration.

“This partnership marks another significant step in our commitment to advancing research and innovation alongside local industry,” said Julie St-Pierre, 91��Ʒ��ϳԹ� vice-president, Research and Innovation. “Together, we are empowering the next generation of innovators to drive transformative change.”

A proven track record

Launched in 2020, the Kinaxis Academic Program has already reached over 12,000 students worldwide. This partnership with 91��Ʒ��ϳԹ� builds on that momentum, creating a local anchor point for co-innovation that brings tangible benefits to the broader supply chain ecosystem.

From developing pioneering optimization engines in the 1980s to adopting cloud-based models before many of its peers, Kinaxis has long been at the forefront of innovation. This new partnership signals its continued commitment to bold thinking—with academia as a key partner in progress.

Looking ahead

The next five years will be defined not only by the technologies created, but also by the relationships formed—between students and mentors, researchers and practitioners, theory and application.

For 91��Ʒ��ϳԹ�, the partnership underscores its role as a bridge between discovery and implementation. For Kinaxis, it reaffirms the value of collaboration with institutions that are as future-focused as they are.

Together, they are creating a space where research moves faster, ideas grow stronger, and students are more empowered to lead the industries they are helping to build.

And that’s a story still being written—one breakthrough at a time.