Canada’s cybercrime landscape has undergone a significant transformation. Once confined to the shadows of the black market, cybercrime has now grown into a sprawling network of sophisticated organizations. This evolution is propelled by the exponential growth of e-commerce and digital transactions, rendering cybercrime one of the most lucrative criminal enterprises globally.  In this dynamic digital environment, small businesses find themselves particularly vulnerable to emerging cyber threats. Now, more than ever, prioritizing investments in cybersecurity education is essential. The rap ..read more

The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit program is a retroactive business funding program offered by the Canadian federal government that helps cover a portion of eligible businesses R&D costs. This is Canada’s largest funding program and is utilized by thousands of businesses across each province of Canada. Professional corporations commonly apply for SR&ED funding. How Does SR&ED Define Medical Professional Corporations (MPCs)? Several professions have regulated professional corporations and are restricted to practice their professio ..read more

Exports extend beyond conventional cargo shipments, as intangible assets, notably services, contribute significantly to global trade. This article explores the potential for Canadian service companies to expand globally, leveraging the international export market to foster their growth.  In 2022, service exports comprised 12.1% of Canada’s GDP, reaching approximately $161.2 billion.   What It Means to Export Services   Any service provided by a person or a company from Canada to a person or company in another country can be considered a Canadian service export. Some ..read more

Establishing a supply of critical minerals is fundamental to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and highlights the increased need for sustainability in the mining industry. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that demand for sustainable minerals will increase , for use in renewable electricity, batteries, electronics, and electric vehicles. While the technologies using critical minerals are  contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals, mineral extraction processes pose threats to the environment. As the mining of these essential elements grows exponentia ..read more

Automotive companies are adapting to digital transformations at a rapid pace. EVs and self-driving cars have been gaining a great deal of attention over the past few years – a real-life model of what we had once considered futurist vehicles.  In terms of the funding world, we have seen the government actively assist the automotive industry. In addition to the automotive grants currently available, the Federal Fall Economic Statement 2023 indicates that a significant portion of funding for 2024 will go towards electric vehicles and clean energy. Canada’s highly skilled auto workers are at ..read more

Establishing your tech business in Ontario can be challenging, but there are many startup resources to support entrepreneurship. Ontario Regional Innovation Centres (RIC) offer a vast network of mentors, innovation centres, and other entrepreneurs that you can use to establish and grow your business. Regional Innovation Centres help Ontario’s entrepreneurs and innovators succeed in international markets by helping them work through the challenges of developing their ideas to make them marketable and attract talent, capital and customers. Regional Innovation Centres are primarily targeted tow ..read more

Global decarbonization efforts and the goal of achieving net-zero carbon by 2050 is the largest economic transformation in modern history. To achieve a carbon-pollution-free global economy by 2050, hydrocarbons must be replaced with renewable power sources, which leads to a rapidly growing demand for the critical minerals required to engineer renewable energy infrastructure. In this article, we look at some of the top trends in the global and Canadian critical minerals market and how Canadian businesses are impacted by these ongoing trends. What are Critical Minerals? Critical Minerals are ..read more

After a year of ups and downs in the tech industry, it is time to look ahead. 2023 was a year of recession, layoffs, and uncertainty within the tech world, but 2024 is looking brighter. With multiple sectors not only acknowledging Artificial Intelligence (AI) but adopting it as standard operating procedure, the tech industry is set to change in the new year and will be watched by businesses, analysts, and consumers. This article reviews some tech industry trends anticipated in 2024. Understanding and adopting technological trends will keep your business competitive in the current market. Thi ..read more

As we enter the 2023 holiday shopping season, it is crucial for your business to consider predicted market trends during planning. With endless stores and alternatives for every item, your business must deploy effective strategies that can keep up with existing consumer demands.  In this article, we will be looking at how the economy, marketing trends, and business policies can guide your retailer decisions for the remainder of 2023.  Inflation Catching Up to Financial Decisions  In the post-pandemic era, we are being challenged with a recession. Inflation rates have increase ..read more

Navigating marketing strategies in the Business to Business (B2B) space can be significantly more challenging than the Business to Consumer (B2C) space. While B2C marketing attempts to cultivate a relationship between the product and consumer, B2B focuses on selling the product to organizations. In this article, Mentor Works, a successful B2B company, will take you through current B2B trends that your business can tap into today. Navigating B2B vs. B2C Marketing It is easy to assume B2C marketing principles apply to B2B as general marketing strategies. Tactics such as bold graphics, up-to-dat ..read more