GCXpo is back for 2025, and the opportunity to showcase your breakthrough technology has never been greater.
On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, GCXpo returns to Area X.O in Ottawa for its fourth and most dynamic year. Co-hosted by Area X.O and the Government of Canada, this free and epic Canadian next-gen tech demonstration showcase gives Canadian innovators the chance to demonstrate their technologies live, in real-world conditions, in front of decision-makers from across sectors.
Whether your tech is built for smart cities, defence, agri-tech, mobility, cleantech, or telecom, GCXpo is where innovation gets seen, tested, and validated.
Why Demonstrate at GCXpo?
GCXpo is not your typical expo or trade show. Nothing is behind velvet ropes. This is a dynamic, outdoor, real-world demonstration showcase where technology is in motion and on display, whether it’s on the road, in the field, or in the air.
This event is your chance to:
- Showcase your tech innovations live to investors, government leaders, and industry peers
- Test your solution in Canada’s leading R&D environment, Area X.O.
- Connect with new collaborators, buyers, and potential funders
- Gain national and international visibility through Area X.O and Invest Ottawa
In 2024, GCXpo attracted 80+ companies and 1,600+ registrants. Demonstrators ranged from AI-powered robotics startups to national defence suppliers and agri-tech pioneers.
In 2025, the momentum is only growing, and so is the spotlight on Canadian innovation.
If you’re looking to take advantage of this opportunity, complete the application form by August 29, 2025.
A Platform for Every Next-gen Sector
While GCXpo 2025 features a strong spotlight on Canada’s leadership in defence innovation, it is designed to elevate technology from across the economy.
The showcased applications span:
- Connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs)
- Defence and public safety innovation
- Robotics, AI, and drones
- Smart city infrastructure and digital twinning
- Sustainable agriculture and environmental tech
- Telecom, IoT, and cyber resilience
Whether your technology serves government, industry, or communities, GCXpo connects you with the right audience to accelerate the impact of your innovation.
The Defence Innovation Spotlight
One of the most highly anticipated areas of GCXpo 2025 is the Communitech EY Defence Zone. This zone brings together innovators, military leaders, industry executives, and public-sector visionaries for a rare glimpse into how trusted ecosystems are driving real-world defence impact.
Expect:
- Keynote addresses from leading voices in national defence innovation
- Expert panels on dual-use technology adoption and deployment
- Startup showcases featuring breakthrough solutions for secure environments
This zone is open to innovators building technology for mission-critical challenges, including dual-use innovators whose work applies to both civilian and security markets.
And it’s not just about display – it’s about connection. Attendees include representatives from:
- National Defence
- NATO’s DIANA network
- Federal innovation programs
- Global defence leaders and research institutions
This makes GCXpo 2025 a uniquely strategic opportunity for companies with relevant capabilities to gain awareness within the tech community.
Powering a Smarter, More Sustainable Future
While the Defence Zone brings powerful focus to national security and mission-critical innovation, GCXpo 2025 is designed to showcase bold ideas across every sector.
This year’s Smart City Zone and Ottawa Innovation Farm Zone powered by AgExpert highlight how Canadian innovators are tackling urgent challenges in agriculture, infrastructure, climate, and community well-being, offering real solutions with global potential.
- Ottawa Innovation Farm Zone powered by AgExpert – Cultivating the Future of Agriculture
Get a look inside the future of farming – this zone brings together leaders in cleantech, AI, rural connectivity, and sustainable production to explore what’s next in smart agriculture, and how we manage and protect our food systems.
This zone will explore:
- Autonomous machinery and robotics for field operations
- AI and data analytics for crop and livestock management
- Climate-resilient practices and sustainable innovation
- Rural innovation, connectivity, and adoption strategies
- Smart City Zone – Building Tomorrow’s Urban Intelligence
Our cities are changing, and this zone will showcase the infrastructure, connectivity and innovation helping to power the transformation with sessions focusing on:
- Mobility systems and multimodal integration
- Real-time data infrastructure and public digital twins
- Clean energy, sustainability, and emissions reduction
- Partnerships between cities, startups, and citizens
A Newly Added Bonus in 2025: An Invite-Only Preview Night at Bayview Yards
GCXpo kicks off the night before the main showcase with an exclusive preview night event at Bayview Yards – Ottawa’s innovation hub.
Taking place on Tuesday, September 23, this invite-only evening ahead of GCXpo will spotlight early-stage founders and standout alumni from the region’s tech ecosystem.
It’s a chance to network with investors, media, and public sector leaders in a more intimate, high-energy setting – all before the dynamic full-day event unfolds.
Demonstrator and Exhibitor Benefits: What to Expect
As a GCXpo demonstrator or exhibitor, you’ll engage with Canadian innovators and innovation companies supported by the Government of Canada, along with international collaborators, and potential investors – all while benefiting from:
- Free demo space (outdoor, tented) with power, Wi-Fi, and table and chairs
- On-site shuttle service, multiple food trucks and staff passes
- Inclusion in promotional event storytelling and increased visibility
- Access to curated programming in demonstration and exhibition areas, as well as three focused innovation zones, including the Communitech EY Zone (Defence), Smart City Zone, and the Ottawa Innovation Farm Zone powered by AgExpert
And most importantly, you’ll be able to demonstrate your innovation in action to hundreds of attendees, on roads, in the fields, and through guided experience zones designed to highlight and showcase your technology’s real-world value.
Why Area X.O?
Located in Ottawa and operated by Invest Ottawa, Area X.O is Canada’s integrated test facility for smart mobility, connectivity, and advanced technologies.
It offers:
- Private 5G infrastructure for secure, low-latency systems
- Connected intersections and roadways for smart mobility and autonomous vehicle testing
- R&D zones for drones, robotics, sensor networks, and AI
- Designation as a NATO DIANA Test Centre, supporting technologies that address global defence and security challenges
Who Should Apply?
You’re a strong candidate to demonstrate at GCXpo if you are:
- A tech company with a market-ready or pilot-ready solution
- Working in mobility, defence, robotics, AI, cleantech, public safety, telecom, or agri-tech
- An early-stage founder looking to connect with partners, funders, or customers
- A scaleup with a compelling product ready for adoption
- A research institution or consortium validating applied innovation
If your solution solves real-world challenges, and you’re ready to show it live, GCXpo is your stage.
How to Apply
Demonstrator spaces are limited and reviewed on a rolling basis. To apply:
- Review the GCXpo 2025 Demo & Exhibitor Opportunities Package
- Complete the Application Form by August 29, 2025
- Coordinate with the GCXpo team to plan your activation
- Demonstrate your innovation on a national platform
For questions or special requirements, contact: [email protected].
Be Part of the Action at GCXpo 2025
You build the tech. GCXpo brings the audience.