As Canada increasingly champions self-sufficiency, what does the future look like for dual-use technologies and the country’s defence manufacturing? Shormila and Evgenia go to the source to explore this timely question. Dina Tzirakos-Hawker is the Managing Director of Barrie’s Sandbox Centre, Ontario’s newest regional innovation centre. She is immersed in the country’s varied innovative pursuits and the policies and frameworks that both stymie and support it. Though new to the military industry, Dina has spent the last two years fervently learning from experts and devising her own innovative strategies for building bridges. Her goal: help companies with potential dual-use products understand what it actually takes to move from innovation to procurement in this complex, compliance-heavy sector.


The conversation explores the difference between simply having technology with defence applications and building a company that is truly ready to operate in the space. Dina points to AI, quantum, advanced communications, and drone systems as having great potential, but also stresses the less glamorous realities that determine success: manufacturing capacity, testing sites, cybersecurity infrastructure, compliance, clearances, procurement knowledge, and long sales cycles. For founders, the opportunity is significant, but it requires strategy, sector knowledge, and a realistic understanding of the customer and process—knowledge often gatekept from burgeoning companies. 


Through her conversations with all sides, Dina has identified a need for better coordination between government, industry, accelerators, municipalities, suppliers, and infrastructure partners. She explains the information-sharing concept behind a recent “Defence 101” event that filled a significant gap by offering more than 150 companies from around the world practical guidance on entering the sector. Dina sees this moment as both a massive opportunity and a major turning point for Canada, but dual-use innovation will not scale through technology alone. It will require collective support, practical infrastructure, patient capital, and a shared commitment to helping Canadian companies thrive in this self-sufficient future.


Key Takeaways

  • Why the “unsexy” side of defence tech—manufacturing, testing, compliance, cybersecurity, and infrastructure—matters so much;
  • How Canada can create stronger on-ramps between innovation, procurement, and defence readiness;
  • What roadblocks smaller suppliers may face when navigating long procurement cycles and thin margins;
  • Why Canada’s defence innovation push may require both public support and private investment;
  • How a collaborative “village mentality” can help Canadian companies thrive in a growing defence ecosystem.

Quote: 

  • “I don’t think we have a choice but to make this succeed. When you invest in your own defence capabilities…we almost make a recession-proofed business.” - Dina Tzirakos-Hawker

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