Skkynet Cloud Systems, Inc. announced a new C$2.6 million project to accelerate the development of secure Industrial AI technologies, with partial funding of C$1.04 million from the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). The investment will support Skkynet in enhancing its proprietary Cogent DataHub® data intelligence platform to meet growing demand for Industrial Artificial Intelligence, focusing on developing secure, real-time data bridges that allow industrial operators to feed training data to AI models and execute AI-driven control logic without exposing critical operational networks to security risks.
The project was highlighted during a public announcement by the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, where federal support for AI innovation across southern Ontario was emphasized. Minister Solomon stated, "Southern Ontario is home to a thriving tech ecosystem and Skkynet is a great example of the innovation happening right here in our community. By helping companies like Skkynet scale their AI capabilities, we are strengthening our local economy and securing Canada's place as a leader in the industrial software market." The project will expand Skkynet's engineering team and accelerate commercialization of next-generation Industrial AI solutions tailored for complex industrial environments where security is paramount.
Gary Tillery, CEO of Skkynet, described the announcement as "a major milestone for Skkynet and Canada's industrial AI ecosystem," noting that government support will help expedite delivery of leading-edge AI capabilities to help industries optimize operations, improve efficiency, and compete globally. Paul Thomas, President of Skkynet, expressed gratitude for the Government of Canada's support through FedDev Ontario, stating that the contribution will allow Skkynet to fast-track critical technological developments, ensuring industrial clients can adopt AI solutions securely and effectively.
The project will help solidify Skkynet's presence in both domestic and international markets while addressing the rigorous demands of modern industrial environments. The company acknowledged strategic guidance from Aarif Nakhooda, CFO of CoreAI and Customer Success at Keystone AI and Advisor to Skkynet, whose expertise in artificial intelligence frameworks and enterprise strategy helped refine the project's scope. This initiative represents a significant step in advancing Canada's industrial AI capabilities while maintaining the security standards essential for industrial operations.
