CDRIN

What CDRIN does

CDRIN (Centre de développement et de recherche en intelligence numérique) is a non-profit applied research center (OBNL) headquartered in Matane, Quebec, and institutionally affiliated with Cégep de Matane as a member of the CCTT (Centres collégiaux de transfert technologique) network. It delivers applied research, experimental development, and skills transfer services to organizations facing technological challenges in AI, computer vision, 3D, real-time rendering, and digital creativity. The organization intervenes at the upstream stage of projects, co-constructing solutions with partners and transferring knowledge so partners can operate independently post-engagement.

Its technology portfolio spans synthetic data generation, photogrammetry and neural network-enhanced 3D reconstruction (including an underwater-specific model trained on Unreal Engine 5.1-generated data), real-time rendering techniques such as SSRT, SSILVB, and Voxel Cone Tracing for WebGPU, and production pipeline integration across WebGL, WebGPU, Vulkan, and OpenGL. Proprietary and open-source artifacts include VAIT (Vision AI Trainer for reducing annotation effort via YOLO-based pipelines), Costumy (automated garment pattern generation), a Gaussian Splatting optimization methodology presented at SIGGRAPH 2025 Labs, and an OpenGL-Vulkan interoperability layer for AMD FSR2 upscaling. Customers span video game studios (Polymorph Games, Sabotage Studio, Squido Studio, iLLOGIKA), VFX/animation firms, 3D visualization platforms (Zea), scientific and government bodies (Fisheries and Oceans Canada), and regional industries including forestry, fisheries, and wind energy.

Revenue is generated through funded research contracts, government grants (NSERC/CRSNG programs including PART, ARTP, and RDA), and partnership contributions rather than commercial product sales. The organization distributes outputs via direct collaborative engagements, open-source repositories on GitHub, academic publications, conference presentations at SIGGRAPH, ICML, and ACFAS, and skills transfer programs. As of early 2026, CDRIN is undergoing a leadership transition: long-serving co-General Managers Mylaine Côté and Julien Coll departed, and founding leader Pierre Bédard was appointed as Interim General Manager pending a permanent recruitment.

Name

CDRIN

Legal name

Centre de développement et de recherche en intelligence numérique (CDRIN)

Website

https://cdrin.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CDRIN is a non-profit applied research center (OBNL) affiliated with Cégep de Matane in Quebec, providing applied research, experimental development, and skills transfer services in AI, computer vision, 3D reconstruction, and real-time rendering to video game studios, VFX firms, government scientific bodies, and regional industries across forestry, fisheries, and energy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Matane

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Applied Research Contracts: CDRIN operates as an OBNL (non-profit) without commercial objectives. Revenue is generated through funded research contracts, government grants (NSERC, CRSNG, PART, ARTP, RDA programs), and partnership contributions rather than product sales or service fees to clients.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

CDRIN provides applied research, experimental development, and skills transfer services in AI, computer vision, 3D reconstruction, real-time rendering, and synthetic data generation. It operates as a non-profit (OBNL) working upstream of partners' highest-risk technology projects, co-constructing tailored solutions and transferring knowledge so partners can continue independently. Complementary open-source tools (VAIT, SSRT, Costumy, Neural Network-Enhanced Meshroom module) and proprietary rendering methods (SSILVB, Voxel Cone Tracing for WebGPU) support both internal R&D and broader community adoption.

Product overview

CDRIN (Centre de Développement et de Recherche en Intelligence Numérique) is a non-profit applied research center affiliated with Cégep de Matane in Quebec, offering applied research, experimental development, and skills transfer services rather than a single commercial product. Its technology portfolio centers on three domains: 3D visual effects (rendering, animation, 3D reconstruction), AI and computer vision (synthetic data generation, object detection, neural networks), and digital creativity (interactive systems, immersive experiences). Core open-source tools include VAIT (Vision AI Trainer) for democratizing computer vision annotation, Costumy for automated garment pattern generation, SSRT (Screen Space Ray Tracing) for real-time rendering, and a Neural Network-Enhanced 3D Reconstruction module for Meshroom. These are complemented by specialized R&D pipelines for text-to-3D generation, embedded AI fish detection, Gaussian Splatting optimization, and procedural content generation. Services span industry sectors including video games, VFX/animation, immersive/interactive media, and regional development across fisheries, forestry, and energy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VAIT (Vision AI Trainer) Open-source software (logiciel libre) that combines automatic labeling, data augmentation, and synthetic data generation into a unified pipeline for training lightweight computer vision models. Designed for local installation without cloud dependency, suitable for use in constrained field environments.
• Costumy Open-source Python prototype that automates the pipeline from 3D body measurement to 2D garment pattern generation and 3D draping. Combines freesewing.org, NeuralTailor, and open-source 3D simulation tools to generate industry-standard fitted garments for diverse body morphologies.
• SSRT (Screen Space Ray Tracing) Open-source screen-space ray tracing technique for simulating indirect illumination in real-time 3D rendering. Improves visual quality in video games, functions on all GPU brands, and can be integrated into existing engines. Released as royalty-free open-source on GitHub.
• Neural Network-Enhanced 3D Reconstruction Module for Meshroom Deep learning-enhanced depth estimation module integrated into the open-source Meshroom photogrammetry software. Uses HitNet and IGEV techniques to improve 3D reconstruction accuracy in challenging environments such as underwater settings, and ships with a synthetic dataset and model trained for underwater imaging.
• Applied Research, Experimental Development, and Skills Transfer Services Collaborative R&D services engaging upstream of partners' most uncertain projects in AI, computer vision, 3D, and digital creativity. Each engagement co-constructs a solution adapted to the partner's real-world context and ensures knowledge transfer so the partner can continue independently.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14,000+ synthetic underwater images generated using Unreal Engine 5.1 for training underwater 3D reconstruction AI models
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability14 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Pêches et Océans Canada / Institut Maurice-LamontagnemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2026Partnership for developing VAIT (Vision AI Trainer) open-source software to democratize computer vision in scientific environments. CDRIN combines open-source tools, libraries, and models to simplify AI model training workflows for marine ecosystem monitoring and other scientific applications.
• Zea (Zea Engine)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 202618-month applied research project (2022-2024) supporting Montreal-based Zea in migrating their web-based 3D CAD visualization platform from WebGL to WebGPU. CDRIN delivered Voxel Cone Tracing global illumination, progressive migration architecture, and comprehensive documentation and learnings transferable to other organizations.
• Polymorph GamesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Applied research collaboration to improve visual fidelity and performance of Foundation game. CDRIN implemented SSILVB global illumination, OpenGL-Vulkan FSR2 interoperability, and image-space outline rendering directly integrated into the studio's proprietary game engine. Project framed within production realities with iterative co-development.
• Association des Capitaines Propriétaires de la Gaspésie (ACPG)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 May 2025Applied research project developing embedded AI computer vision system to automatically identify, measure, and segment Sebastes fish on fishing vessels. Uses synthetic data (generated from 3D models) to train YOLOv12-based detection models, supporting sustainable fisheries management.
• Squido StudiominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2025Study conducted in 2023 exploring AI text-to-2D-to-3D pipeline for generating VR game assets. Tested Stable Diffusion fine-tuning, DreamGaussian, Wonder3D, and other models to generate stylized 3D objects matching the studio's artistic direction.
• IRHMASminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 July 2024Partnership for Neural Network-Enhanced 3D Reconstruction of the Scotsman shipwreck for immersive museum experience. CDRIN used Unreal Engine 5.1 to generate 14,000+ synthetic underwater images for training depth estimation AI models adapted to underwater environments.
• CEDFOB (Centre d'expérimentation et de développement en forêt boréale)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2020Partnership with CEDFOB (Cégep de Baie-Comeau) to optimize forest inventory using drone-based multispectral imaging, 3D reconstruction, and AI-based detection of vegetation zones and NDVI indices.
• Produits forestiers Résolu (PFR)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2020Industrial partner in the forestry 3D modeling and AI vision project with CEDFOB, focused on optimizing post-harvest inventory through automated analysis of drone-captured multispectral imagery.
• OVAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 September 2020Prototype development for importing GLB/GLTF 3D objects into OVA's StellarX VR/AR/MR platform. CDRIN implemented format support, animation reading, and custom NavMesh generation tools for Unity Runtime environment, enabling complex environment imports in immersive experiences.
• NergicaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 August 2020Partnership with Nergica (applied research center in renewable energy) for drone-based wind turbine blade inspection using image processing. Combined CDRIN's image processing expertise with Nergica's wind energy knowledge.
• CollineominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 August 2020Industrial partner providing specialized equipment and contributing to field testing phases of drone-based wind turbine inspection project. Collineo can offer enhanced anomaly detection solutions to wind farm operators based on project outcomes.
• Neweb LabsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 April 2020Proof of concept for distinguishing 6 basic emotions (Paul Ekman model) in realistic 3D virtual assistant character animation using BlendShape mesh deformation and natural language processing, supporting more responsive digital characters.
• Cégep de MatanecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDRIN is institutionally affiliated with Cégep de Matane, which has an outstanding reputation for producing talented digital creators. The partnership provides access to student talent, academic resources, and educational programs in digital creation, 3D animation, and computer science.
• IVADOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIVADO (Institute for Data Valorization) is listed as a partner organization. Nature of collaboration likely involves AI/data science expertise sharing and research network connections within the Quebec AI ecosystem.
• CCTT Network (Réseau des Centres collégiaux de transfert technologique)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDRIN is a member of the CCTT network, a Quebec-wide system of college-based technology transfer centers. Membership provides access to cross-center collaboration, shared best practices, and collective impact in regional innovation.
• La PiscineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology partnership helping La Piscine and its entrepreneurs understand and navigate technological evolutions in digital creativity and AI.
• La GuildeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with La Guilde in creative research and digital intelligence projects, referenced in innovation stories section.
• Sabotage StudiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovative collaboration on the Sea of Stars game project, referenced in achievements archive.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CRDM (Centre de recherche en informatique de Montréal) / Université de Montréal DIRO: University-affiliated computer science research center performing foundational and applied research in computer graphics, computer vision, and AI. Comparable to CDRIN in research domains but operates under a university rather than college/transfer-center mandate.
• Nergica: Quebec CCTT applied research center specializing in renewable energy and wind power. Operates the same college-affiliated, grant-funded, non-profit applied research model as CDRIN, and the two are already collaborators on drone-based wind turbine inspection — making Nergica the closest peer in structure and operating model.
• IVADO: Quebec consortium for AI research and data valorization, already listed as a CDRIN partner. Functions as a research network and applied AI translator between academia and industry, sharing CDRIN's mandate to operationalize AI methods in real-world industry contexts.
• Mila (Quebec AI Institute): Montreal-based AI research institute led by Yoshua Bengio. While much larger and focused on fundamental AI, Mila performs the same function of bridging research and industry applications in Quebec — making it a scale-up comparable rather than direct competitor.
• Centre CIMEQ: Another Quebec CCTT applied research center focused on medical/industrial 3D imaging and modeling. Operates under the same CCTT mandate and government funding model as CDRIN, sharing both the operating structure and target partner base of regional Quebec industries.
• Société des arts et technologies (SAT): Montreal-based non-profit dedicated to developing immersive experiences, XR, and creative technology, with strong R&D and applied research mandate. Comparable to CDRIN's immersive/XR and digital creativity segments (e.g., OVA/StellarX projects).

Broad incumbents

• Foundry (and broader VFX tools ecosystem): Major commercial vendor of VFX, 3D modeling, and rendering software (Nuke, Mari, Katana) serving the same animation/VFX partner segment that CDRIN serves with custom rendering and pipeline R&D. An established commercial incumbent in adjacent tooling space.
• EA SEED (Search for Extraordinary Experiences Division): Electronic Arts' applied research group working on next-generation rendering, machine learning, and animation for games. Performs similar upstream technology-risk research for a major game publisher, comparable in technical domains (real-time rendering, AI) to CDRIN's work.
• Ubisoft La Forge: Ubisoft's R&D arm that collaborates with academia on AI, computer vision, and animation research applicable to AAA game production. A large-scale internal version of CDRIN's applied-research-to-production model — with Olivier Therrien, a CDRIN researcher, having previously worked at Ubisoft.

Others

• AliceVision (Meshroom): Open-source photogrammetry framework behind Meshroom, which CDRIN directly extends with neural network-enhanced depth estimation. An ecosystem/technology peer — CDRIN contributes modules back to this community while building production pipelines on top of it.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• GitHubgithub.com/cdrinmatane
• Facebookfacebook.com/CDRIN.Matane
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cdrin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CDRIN