Philip Somogyvari

The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) is engaging with government officials to discuss the alignment between CCI’s priorities and the federal government’s efforts to foster innovation in Canada. These discussions focus on ensuring that government programs and policies effectively support high-growth Canadian technology firms and strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem. Canadian Sovereign AI Compute Strategy: advocacy was focused on bringing domestic firms into the value chain through policies and measures that provide equal opportunity for Canadian Head Quartered companies. Discussion on the intangible economy, SR&ED, and economic growth as it relates to domestic expenditures for intellectual property filing, as well as a focus on small and medium-sized companies. US Trade - discussed Tariffs and handling of Canada US Mexico Trade Agreement. Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) to establish a sponsorship agreement related to CCI's Board education training program for the intangible economy. Small Business and Tourism, Changes to Canadian Export Program (CanExport) so it allows more technology companies to apply Procurement – Changes to Request for Proposal (RFP) process to break down large bundles into smaller amounts for Medium and Small Business (SMEs) can apply Health Canada: advocate for an increase of resources for Therapeutics Canada for them to speed up processing times and efficiencies within their department; create working groups and framework with industry leaders and health Canada on digital and data health, and create a therapeutics working group with industry and health Canada. Finance – Changes to Scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) tax incentive program to make the process easier for Medium and Small Business (SMEs) to apply and report on the current program, to further increase the maximum a SME can apply for Export Development Canada (EDC) to establish a sponsorship agreement related to CCI's Board education training program for the intangible economy. Environment and Climate Change Canada, give input and feedback on the PanCanada Framework, Canada-China agreement for scientific and technological cooperation, and the relationship between Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emitters & CO2 Reducers. Our focus is on involving Canadian high-growth firms in the policies and programs the government is working on regarding climate change and the greening of government. Discussions on international trade, specifically on the North American Free Trade Agreement with respect to data localisation, labour mobility and tariffs. Defence & Security: advocate for a domestic-focused cybersecurity ecosystem that has Canadian companies at the centre of a national cybersecurity defence policy. Citizenship and immigration – Change the current work visa time lines, seek changes to the the Labour Market Impact Assessment for expatiating and a faster process Changes to Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) to make the process easier for Medium and Small Business (SMEs) to apply and report on the current program, to Increase the maximum amount a SME can apply for Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) - changes to (scientific research and experimental development) SR&ED program with how it is administered and reviewed. Discussed companies SR&ED claims and issues with their processing. Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to establish a sponsorship agreement related to CCI's Board education training program for the intangible economy.

Provide updates and seek new opportunities that would support the launch of an Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Academy Canada Economic Development Quebec Regions - Seeking support / consultation or financial support in order to launch an Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Academy Program Prairies Economic Development Canada - Seeking funding from the Community Economic Development and Diversification (CEDD) stream to support the advancement of our Fellowship program in rural, remote and northern communities. Pacific Economic Development Canada - Seeking funding from the Strategic Innovation Fund for the advancement of our Fellowship program in the province. Ministry of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development - Seeking renewed funding support for Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) and the Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Initiative (I-WIL) Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) - Seeking core funding support for Venture for Canada, and the renewal of the Student Work Placement Program and Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Initiatives. Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship - Seeking new funding support and partnerships for Venture for Canada to launch an International Students program pilot Ministry of Forgein Affairs - Seeking new funding support and partnerships with Global Affairs Canada to launch an International Students program pilot Ministry of Finance - Seeking funding renewal for the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) and Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Initiatives (I-WIL). Ministry of Employment, Future Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion - Maintain connections related to the delivery and renewal of the Student Work Placement Program and Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Initiatives Ministry of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism - Seeking new funding support for an Artist Entrepreneurship program pilot designed by Venture for Canada. Global Affairs Canada - Seeking new funding support and partnerships for Venture for Canada to launch an International Students program pilot and an international exchange program for Canadian students. Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency - Seeking renewed partial funding from the agency to support the advancement of our Fellowship program.