Scaling R&D with Canada’s Largest Tech Ecosystem.
🔬 SR&ED Expert Insight:Edmonton is a global magnet for Machine Learning and Biotech. To help you scale from a lab bench to a global platform, the 2026 $6 million expenditure cap allows Edmonton’s mid-sized companies to keep their enhanced 35% credit much longer. GrowWise helps AI and medical device pioneers capture this capital without the headache. We translate your machine learning iterations into high-yield SR&ED claims, giving you the runway to turn Alberta’s research into world-changing products.
(Including 55% Proxy Boost)
In 2026, Edmonton has established itself as a global epicentre for Machine Learning and Health-Tech, supported by the province’s focus on high-growth R&D. At GrowWise, we help local firms leverage Alberta’s unique grant-based system to maximize their non-dilutive funding.
The IEG is the province’s flagship R&D incentive. Unlike traditional tax credits in other provinces, this is delivered as a refundable grant, providing a critical cash advantage for Edmonton’s pre-revenue startups and scaling enterprises.
The Benefit: A tiered refundable payment based on your R&D investment:
8% Base Payment: Applied to your “base level” of R&D spending (the average of your previous two years).
20% Enhanced Payment: Applied to any R&D spending that exceeds the two-year average.
The Limit: The grant provides these benefits on up to $4 million in annual qualifying R&D expenditures.
Edmonton Context: For an AI startup collaborating with Amii or a biotech firm in the University of Alberta ecosystem, the 20% enhanced rate is a massive reward for aggressive scaling. For first-time claimants (like early-stage startups with no spending history), the full 20% rate typically applies to their entire qualifying spend.
Eligibility: The program targets small and medium-sized firms with less than $50 million in taxable capital, ensuring the capital stays with the companies driving local job creation.
Systematic Alignment: The IEG uses the same “Scientific Research and Experimental Development” criteria as the federal program. If your work in algorithmic optimization or medical device prototyping qualifies for federal SR&ED, it qualifies for the IEG.
