Event

Canadian-Bavarian EV PowerDrive INNO 2026

5. October 2026 - 6. October 2026

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In einem dunklen Raum ist ein futuristisches Auto zu sehen, das durch gezielte Beleuchtung hervorgehoben wird., AI-generated AI-Generated AdobeStock/Masque,

Are you active in the field of electric mobility? Meet Canadian partners for innovation projects in power electronics and next-generation electric motors—with opportunities for international funding.

The Canadian-Bavarian EV PowerDrive INNO 2026 brings together leading companies, research institutions, and innovation stakeholders from Canada and Bavaria to initiate new innovation projects in the field of electric mobility. The focus is particularly on power electronics and next-generation electric motors—two key technologies for the mobility of the future.

Canada and Germany have maintained a close partnership in research, innovation, and industry for many years. Both countries view electric mobility, resilient supply chains, and joint technology development as central building blocks for competitiveness, economic resilience, and the achievement of their climate and innovation goals.

Led by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), a Canadian delegation of approximately 25 participants—selected through a national call for proposals issued by the NRC—will be visiting us. The delegation consists of innovative companies and research partners who are specifically seeking international collaborations as well as research and development projects with high industrial relevance, strong involvement of industry and academia, and clear prospects for commercialization.

The event is jointly organized by the Enterprise Europe Network, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, the Chair of Manufacturing Automation and Production Systems (FAPS), the Power Electronics Cluster, the Mobility Innovation Network, the Bavarian Chips Alliance, and the Innovation Service for Funding & Consulting at Bayern Innovativ.

The first day of the event, October 5, 2026, is reserved for the Canadian delegation. The program for that day includes exclusive visits to companies and research institutions in the greater Munich area.

The second day of the event, October 6, 2026, will take place on the AEG campus in Nuremberg and will be conducted in collaboration with the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Chair of Manufacturing Automation and Production Systems (FAPS). Participants will gain insights into the on-site research infrastructure and current development projects.

The focus is not on general networking activities, but rather on the targeted identification of partners for future collaborations in the fields of power electronics, electric drive systems, and related mobility technologies.

This offers Bavarian companies and research institutions a rare opportunity to establish early contact with Canadian firms and research institutions and to position themselves for the formation of German-Canadian consortia in future funding programs.

Participation fee: free of charge.

Target Audience
  • Companies and SMEs
  • Start-ups
  • Research institutions
  • Colleges and universities
  • Clusters and networks
Technological Focus Areas
Advanced Power Electronics
We are seeking Bavarian partners for future innovation projects in areas such as:
  • Wide-bandgap semiconductors (SiC, GaN)
  • EV Inverters & Converters
  • High-Voltage Systems
  • Advanced Materials
  • Testing & Validation
  • AI-Supported Design
Next-Generation Electric Motors
The focus is on innovations to improve power density, efficiency, cost structure, and sustainability:
  • Rare-Earth-Free Motors
  • Electric Drive Technologies
  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • AI & Machine Learning
  • Sustainable Mobility Solutions
  • Advanced Testing Methods

Monday, October 5, 2026

Technology Visits & Ecosystem Insights | Munich

Exclusive company and research visits with the Canadian delegation.

Possible stops include technology-focused companies and research institutions in the greater Munich area.

This day of the program is reserved for the Canadian delegation.

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

9:30–9:55

Registration & Welcome Coffee | Arrival and Orientation

10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Objectives of the event.

Dr. Rainer Seßner, CEO (invited)
Bayern Innovativ GmbH

T.B.A.
Representative of the Consulate or Embassy, Government of Canada

Dr.-Ing. Jochen Lorz
, Managing Director of FAPS

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Florian Risch
, Chair of Assembly Technologies for Electrical Energy Storage, Institute for Factory Automation and Production Systems (FAPS), Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) (5 min)

10:15 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.

Briefing I: Canadian and Bavarian Ecosystems for Electric Powertrain Systems

Overview of the Canadian and Bavarian innovation ecosystems for power electronics, electric powertrain systems, and e-mobility.

Angela Spreng
Senior Commercial Officer; Head of the Ontario Trade and Investment Office in Munich

Melanie Krautwald
Senior Trade Officer, Global Affairs Canada

Dr. Sooky Winkler
Program Director, e-Auto Challenge Program, National Research Council Canada (NRC), Government of Canada

Dr. Markus Döbbelin
, Head of Europe & International Affairs and EEN Bavaria

Holger Czuday
, Head of the Automotive Cluster

Jürgen Frickinger
Head of the Bavarian Chips Alliance, Bayern Innovativ

Dr. Bernd Bitterlich
Head, Power Electronics Cluster

10:50 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Introduction to the Pitching Format | Online Voting

Dr. Karolina Bähr
, Network Advisor, Enterprise Europe Network, Bayern Innovativ

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Canadian-Bavarian Technology Pitches

Curated Pitching with Online Voting

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Networking Lunch | Themed Tables

Strengthen connections and develop initial project ideas at themed tables.
During lunch, themed tables will provide an opportunity for focused discussions with other participants.

1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Briefing II: German-Canadian Funding Programs and Support Services

Relevant funding and support instruments for joint research, development, and innovation projects.

  • Welcome (Gunnar Hagemann)
  • 2+3 Funding Program: NRC IRAP (Renato Caldart)
  • ZIM Funding Program: NRC-IRAP – AiF (Renato Caldart & Georg Nagel)
  • EUREKA Eurostars (Patricia Ruppert)
  • Additional programs for Bavarian organizations (Gunnar Hagemann)
  • Q&A (Gunnar Hagemann)

Renato Caldart
Director, Bilateral Co-Innovation Programs and Corporate Development, NRC IRAP, National Research Council of Canada

Georg Nagel
Coordination Office for International Cooperation, ZIM / National Contact Point

Gunnar Hagemann
Head of Innovation Services, Funding, and Start-up Advisory Service

Patricia Ruppert
Enterprise Europe Network, Network Advisor, Bayern Innovativ

2:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Awards for the Most Successful EV Pitches

Recognition of the three organizations with the highest number of matches initiated.

Andreas Aron
Project Manager, Mobility Innovation Network, Bayern Innovativ

2:30 p.m. – 2:40 p.m.

Successful German-Canadian R&D Collaboration

Project A2ReMo, a successful Canadian-Bavarian research and development collaboration.

Simon Stauber
, Research Associate, Institute for Factory Automation and Production Systems (FAPS), Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU)

2:40 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.

Interim Conclusions and Next Steps for Collaboration

Patricia Ruppert
, Network Advisor, Enterprise Europe Network Bavaria, Bayern Innovativ

2:50 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Coffee Break | Initial Discussion of Project Ideas (Voting)

3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Visit to Selected FAU-FAPS Research and Development Facilities

Insights into current research projects and the technical infrastructure at the AEG site.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Florian Risch
, Professor of Assembly Technologies for Electrical Energy Storage, Institute for Factory Automation and Production Systems (FAPS), Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU)

Starting at 4:15 p.m.

Delegation Transfer to the Hotel

Novotel Nuremberg Centre Ville
Bahnhofstraße 12
90402 Nuremberg

4:45 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Historic Walking Tour of Nuremberg's Old Town

Meeting Point: 16:45 Novotel Nuremberg Centre Ville

Tour starts at 5:00 p.m.: Tourist Information Center, Hauptmarkt 18, Nuremberg with City Guides

Starting at 6:30 p.m.

Reception and Dinner in Nuremberg's Old Town

An informal get-together with an opportunity to continue discussions.

Venue:
WIRTSHAUS ALBRECHT
Room “Die Stube“
Rathausplatz 4 
90403 Nuremberg

Dr. Terrie Romano
, Consul, National Research Council of Canada, and NRC Principal Advisor, Consulate of Canada in Munich, Government of Canada

To be announced
Bayern Innovativ

Briefing, Pitching & Matchmaking – October 6, 2026
Registration is open to companies and research institutions that would like to actively showcase their technologies, expertise, and collaboration opportunities.
Space is limited.

To Register

To participatein the pitching and matchmaking sessions, you must submit a collaboration profile.

Collaboration Profile Form
 

Benefits of Participating
  • Access to selected Canadian companies and research partners
  • Pitching & Matchmaking for specific innovation projects
  • Insights into technology trends and funding opportunities
  • Access to all collaboration profiles in the digital participant catalog
  • Personalized support for finding partners and developing projects

Participation is free of charge.

Are you interested in trend scouting in Canada?

Then you’ve come to the right place! Bayern Innovativ recently conducted a comprehensive scouting and analysis of the latest technological trends and innovations in Canada. Our scouting report answers the most important questions for your company:

  • What technological trends and innovations exist in the Canadian market, and how relevant are they for Bavarian companies?
  • Where is there particularly high export potential for Bavarian technologies in Canada?
  • In which areas of the Bavarian economy are there still strategic gaps that could be filled by Canadian technologies—for example, through the establishment of companies in Bavaria?

Use the results of this analysis to accelerate and better target your innovation development!

Click here for Trend Scouting Canada

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