Technology
2025 Rally® Awards™ Honor the Leaders Advancing Recruitment Marketing and Employer Branding
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1 year agoon
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Winners across 17 categories showcase the modern talent attraction practices that have become a strategic business advantage
BOSTON, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Rally® Recruitment Marketing today announced the winners of the 2025 Rally® Awards™, a prestigious global competition celebrating excellence in Recruitment Marketing and Employer Branding. The Rally Awards honor the professionals and teams who are leading the transformation of talent acquisition—reflecting the rise of a more strategic, insight-driven approach to attracting, engaging and recruiting top talent.
This year’s competition saw a record number of entries, underscoring the critical role that Recruitment Marketing and Employer Branding professionals now play in enabling organizations to compete for in-demand talent. From small, agile teams to global enterprises, employers are making bold investments in the people, technology and strategies that build awareness and shape candidate perceptions—especially in an environment where job seeker expectations and social and digital channels are constantly evolving.
“Recruitment Marketing has become a vital strategy for reaching and engaging the right talent in a competitive market,” said Lori Sylvia, Founder & CEO of Rally. “The professionals recognized this year are using data and storytelling in ways that elevate their employer brand, connect more meaningfully with talent and deliver measurable results. Their work goes beyond filling roles—it shapes culture, strengthens reputation and supports long-term business success. Congratulations to the 2025 Rally Award Winners!”
Among those honored are Sherri Hamilton of Baylor Scott & White Health and Raven Hazlett of Eaton, who were named 2025 Recruitment Marketing Rising Stars, and Kristin Oravec of Eaton, who received the distinction of 2025 Recruitment Marketer of the Year. Their achievements reflect a larger trend taking place across the industry, as more employers than ever are building dedicated teams to lead Recruitment Marketing and Employer Branding efforts—opening up exciting new career opportunities for professionals at the intersection of talent, marketing and communications. This year’s Rally Award winners represent the forefront of that movement, leading the way with innovation, creativity and measurable impact.
This year also marks the first time the Rally Awards have honored solution providers. The new categories and their recipients—Best Agency Partner, awarded to exaqueo, and Best Technology Partner, awarded to Phenom—recognize the growing importance of partnerships that enable in-house Recruitment Marketing teams to scale their efforts, innovate and achieve hiring goals faster.
2025 Rally Award Judges
Winners were selected by an independent panel of 22 peer judges—respected leaders from across the Rally community.
Megan Claar, Recruitment Marketing and Employment Brand Manager, Sheetz; 2024 Recruitment Marketer of the YearSarah Osborne, Senior Recruitment Marketing Specialist, Mutual of Omaha; 2024 Recruitment Marketing Rising StarJessica Minter, Digital Recruiting Manager, nVentCollette Litzinger, Manager, Employer Brand Strategy, JamfKatie Newland, Director, Global Employer Brand & Recruitment Marketing, Syneos Health Commercial SolutionsKatherine Manansala, Director, Talent Acquisition and Talent Attraction, Macy’sMonica Medina, Employer Brand Lead, CapgeminiJenni Teeters, Employer Brand and Recruitment Marketing Manager, Premise HealthMark Acquaye, Recruiting Strategist, AccentureAmanda Wheaton, Recruitment Marketing Manager, PrecoaLesley DeWitt, Recruitment Marketing Manager, MorleyCourtney Reun, Director, Talent Attraction, Sound PhysiciansRob Ryan, Group Recruitment Marketing Lead, Babcock International GroupMaria Rigou, Global Talent Attraction, PepsiCoZakiya Nashid, Sr. Manager, Global Talent and Employer Brand, TwilioJessica Collins, Recruitment Marketing & Employer Brand Leader, WalmartLindsay Wolins, Recruitment Marketing Manager, EsriKelsey Becker, Recruitment Marketing Manager, SelectQuote InsuranceKeisha Fowler, Recruitment Marketing Manager, Eli Lilly & Co.Michael Rizzi, Senior Manager, Recruitment Marketing, DraftKingsShannon Smedstad, Director, Global Recruitment Marketing, Fresenius Medical CareDani Laven, Recruitment Marketing Strategist; 2020 Recruitment Marketing Rising Star
Many judges are past winners themselves and bring deep expertise in employer branding, social recruiting, content strategy and recruitment marketing analytics. Entries were evaluated on strategy, creativity, execution and business impact.
2025 Rally Award Winners by Category
Best Employer Brand Video
First Place: ATB Financial — “More Than Work Campaign”
Second Place: Westpac Group — “For Uncommon Minds”
Third Place: CBRE — “EVP Manifesto Video”
Best Use of Employee Generated Content
Winner: ADT — “Heroes Behind the Octagon: Celebrating ADT’s 150th Birthday”
Best Talent Newsletter
First Place: UBS — “Get Recruitment Ready with UBS”
Second Place: Baylor Scott & White Health — “The Pulse E-Newsletter”
Third Place: ADT — “Talent Network Newsletter”
Best Use of Organic Social Media in Recruitment Marketing
First Place: UBS — “We See Your Abilities”
Second Place: Baylor Scott & White Health — “Organic Social Strategy”
Best Use of Paid Social Media in Recruitment Marketing
First Place: BAT (British American Tobacco) — “Fueling Innovation: Battle of Minds”
Second Place: Baylor Scott & White Health — “Leveraging Paid Social Media”
Best Use of Video in Recruitment Marketing
First Place (tie): ATB Financial — “More Than Work Campaign”, and Credicorp — “Believe, Create, and Grow”
Second Place: Citadel — “Julia, an Extraordinary Colleague”
Best Recruitment Marketing Campaign (Small Team)
Winner: Ingredion — “Celebrating Recruitment Marketing Excellence”
Best Recruitment Marketing Campaign (Large Team)
First Place: AS Watson / Kruidvat — “Apply with Your Bestie!”
Second Place: UBS — “Recruitment for Client Migration Project”
Third Place: UBS — “Apprenticeship Campaign, Switzerland“
Best Content Marketing Program
First Place: Ascension — “Part of a Bigger Story of Care”
Second Place: Credicorp — “Connecting Today’s Leaders with Tomorrow’s Innovators”
Third Place: AS Watson / Kruidvat — “Apply with Your Bestie!”
Best Employer Brand Launch
First Place: Vulcan Industrial — “Winning Big”
Second Place: Verizon — “The V Team Life”
Third Place: Highmark Health — “Remarkable Together”
Best Careers Blog
Winner: Mutual of Omaha — “Transforming Talent Attraction”
Best Use of Recruitment Marketing Technology
Winner: Allianz SE — “Next-Gen Recruitment: All-in-One Talent Ecosystem”
Best Careers Site
First Place: Delaware North — “New Global Careers Site”
Second Place: Credicorp — “Redefining Talent Attraction”
Best Agency Partner
Winner: exaqueo
Best Technology Partner
Winner: Phenom
2025 Recruitment Marketing Rising Stars
Winners:
Sherri Hamilton, Baylor Scott & White Health
Raven Hazlett, Eaton
2025 Recruitment Marketer of the Year
Winner: Kristin Oravec, Eaton
About the Rally® Awards™
The Rally® Awards™ is a prestigious, global, peer-reviewed competition that recognizes excellence in recruitment marketing and employer branding strategy. Created by Rally® Recruitment Marketing, the competition spotlights the professionals who are transforming how employers attract, engage and recruit talent. Now in its sixth year, the Rally Awards celebrates the strategies and results that move our industry forward, with the goal of sharing what works with our global community of 50,000 practitioners.
About Rally®
Rally® Recruitment Marketing is the largest online community for learning modern talent attraction strategies. Through expert-led content, training and technology, we empower practitioners in recruitment marketing, employer branding and talent acquisition to attract top talent and advance their careers. Rally is also the creator of Rally® Inside™, an AI-powered recruitment marketing platform that uses data and insights to help employers create content that performs across every recruiting channel. Learn more at rallyrecruitmentmarketing.com.
2025 Rally Award Winner Quotes
Award recipients expressed their gratitude for the honor, highlighting the crucial role of their teams and leadership in championing employer branding and recruitment marketing as key strategic priorities within their organizations.
Kayla Branham, Sr. Manager, Recruitment Marketing, ADT
“We’re incredibly honored to receive recognition from the Rally Awards for both Best Use of Employee-Generated Content and Best Talent Newsletter. From showcasing the voices of our team members to delivering meaningful content that keeps talent connected and engaged, these wins are a testament to the continued support and cross-functional collaboration that’s enabled us to authentically showcase “Life At ADT”. Thank you to Rally and the judges for this recognition, and congratulations to all the winners who are elevating the art and impact of talent marketing.”
Bettina Dietsche, Group Chief People & Culture Officer, Allianz SE
“We feel very honored and see the award as a recognition for our future-ready recruitment technology landscape. Our strong technological focus complements our practise of hiring with heart and making human-centered decisions. We have already set out ambitious targets for the next years, aimed at delivering a state-of-the-art experience for candidates, recruiters, and hiring managers. These efforts are an integral part of our Allianz strategy to strengthen resilience, drive smart growth, and increase productivity.”
Linda Almanzo, Director, Recruitment Marketing & Employer Brand, Ascension
“We’re honored to have Ascension recognized by the Rally Awards. This award speaks to the heart our team brings to everything they do. They didn’t just tell powerful stories – they built a data-driven, scalable content engine that delivers customized, associate-centered storytelling across our national health system. Every member of the team played a role in amplifying these voices across channels, strengthening our connection with candidates and celebrating our associates, in meaningful and measurable ways.”
Yvette Hansen, Director, Talent Acquisition & DEIB, Baylor Scott & White Health
Whitney Wallace, TA Marketing & Sourcing Manager, Baylor Scott & White Health
“We are deeply grateful to Rally for investing in recruitment marketing and creating a platform that recognizes our efforts. Winning three Rally Recruitment Marketing Awards this year highlights the dedication and passion of our Recruitment Marketing team at Baylor Scott & White Health. Our team members, who co-create our employee voice campaigns, are pivotal to our success and deserve these awards alongside the TA Marketing team. Their authentic stories and experiences are the heart of our strategy, helping us connect with top talent and inspire others to join our mission.”
Susan LaMotte, Founder and CEO, exaqueo
“At exaqueo, true partnership is at the core of everything we do, and we are deeply honored to be named Rally’s first-ever Best Agency Partner. This award is especially meaningful because it reflects the spirit of collaboration and trust we strive to build with every client. We believe that employer brand success starts with listening—truly understanding our clients’ people, challenges, and goals—and then delivering authentic, measurable solutions that empower them to lead. Thank you to the Rally community for creating this new category and for celebrating the critical role of agency partners in advancing our industry.”
Michelle Magliocchetti, Global TA Enablement Manager, Ingredion
“Karla Juarez and I are deeply honored to win the Rally Award for Best Recruitment Marketing Campaign/Strategy: Small Team! This recognition, especially as first-time entrants, means the world to us. Rally Recruitment Marketing’s invaluable support and guidance have been instrumental. Our journey to build Recruitment Marketing within Talent Acquisition at Ingredion Incorporated has been both exciting and challenging. With our teams’ support, we’ve achieved so much in a short time.”
John Harrington, Sr. Director, Product Marketing, Phenom
“Being recognized as Best Technology Partner is a great honor, and it demonstrates Phenom’s obsession with our customers’ success. Phenom AI helps HR teams make faster, more informed talent decisions while delivering personalized experiences that resonate with both candidates and employees — ultimately, giving our customers a competitive advantage,”
Jonna Sjövall, Global Head of Junior Talent and Talent Attraction, UBS
“We’re excited to have won four Rally Awards this year, standing alongside the world’s best in employer branding and recruitment marketing. This recognition highlights the amazing creativity, passion, and dedication of our Junior Talent and Talent Attraction team. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved and are more committed than ever to connecting top talent around the world to fantastic career opportunities at UBS. A big shoutout to all the 2025 Rally Award winners – it’s an honour to celebrate with such an inspiring bunch!”
Simon Lawrie, President, Vulcan Industrial
“We are honored to receive the Rally Award for Best Employer Brand Launch! This recognition is a reflection of the passion, pride, and commitment that defines Vulcan Industrial. Our Employer Brand launch was a true team effort— built around the authentic voices of our employees and the spirit of innovation that drives us forward every day. We are proud to showcase the incredible culture we’ve built and even more excited for the future ahead. Thank you to Rally, Savage Brands and to everyone at Vulcan who helped bring our story to life!”
Sherri Hamilton, Talent Acquisition Marketing Analyst, Baylor Scott & White Health
“Winning a Rising Star Award is incredibly meaningful to me, not just as recognition of the work, but as a reflection of the journey that brought me here. I pivoted my career to pursue something with more purpose, and I’ve been fortunate to grow at Baylor Scott & White Health alongside leaders and teammates who have challenged, supported and believed in me. I’m honored to be recognized among so many talented professionals who are shaping the future of recruitment marketing. A heartfelt thank you to Rally for creating a platform that uplifts this community and the work we do. I’m excited to continue doing work that connects people with purpose while growing and helping shape what’s next in recruitment marketing.”
Raven Hazlett, Talent Acquisition, Early Talent and I&D Recruitment Marketing Specialist, Eaton
“Being named a 2025 Recruitment Marketing Rising Star is an incredible honor. Ever since learning about recruitment marketing and employer brand during an internship my senior year of college, I have been passionate about expanding my skills and knowledge within the space. This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my team here at Eaton, including my manager and Recruitment Marketer of the Year, Kristin Oravec. I can’t wait to see how I can continue to grow and become a leader in recruitment marketing.”
Kristin Oravec, Talent Acquisition, Global Employer Branding Leader, Eaton
“Receiving this award is an incredible honor and a meaningful milestone in my career. Recruitment marketing and employer branding have the power to transform how companies connect with people—and I’m proud of the work I’ve done to make that connection more human, strategic and inclusive. Thank you to the judges for this recognition, and for championing the work that’s moving our field forward. I’m excited to keep learning, innovating and helping shape what’s next.”
Media Contact
Lori Sylvia, Rally Recruitment Marketing, 1 508-372-0744, info@rallyawards.com, https://rallyrecruitmentmarketing.com/
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SOURCE Rally Recruitment Marketing
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Technology
Forum on the Development of Internet Public Welfare Held at 2026 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit
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6 minutes agoon
November 6, 2026By
WUZHEN, China, Nov. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from CRI Online
On November 4, the Forum on the Development of Internet Public Welfare was held as part of the 2026 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit in Wuzhen, Zhejiang. Under the theme of “Digital Intelligence for Innovation: Advancing High-Quality Development of Internet Public Welfare”, the forum aimed to explore new paths for the high-quality development of public welfare undertakings in the era of digital intelligence, bring together forces for good, and contribute insights from the public welfare sector to building a community with a shared future in cyberspace.
At the forum, representatives of public welfare organizations, enterprises and media from China, Cyprus, the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries, together with experts, scholars and internet celebrities, delivered keynote speeches, sharing their latest practical experience and reflections on leveraging digital intelligence technologies to advance the high-quality development of charity and to bring together forces for good worldwide. The forum screened “Digital Technology for Good, Advancing Public Welfare Together”, a video showcasing the achievements of the China Internet Development Foundation’s public welfare initiatives, and released the findings of the research report on internet public welfare practices by internet and cybersecurity enterprises. The forum also held roundtable discussions on two topics — “Internet Public Welfare for the Global Flow of Goodwill” and “Online Cultural and Humanistic Creation Empowering Public Welfare Communication” — inviting participating guests to jointly explore the paths and methods for the high-quality development of internet public welfare. In addition, celebrity public welfare advocates public welfare projects powered by digital and intelligent technologies, along with examples of online initiatives supporting farmers, that they had taken an interest in. Their sharing encouraged more people to take an interest in and participate in public welfare initiatives.
The forum was hosted by the Cyberspace Administration of China and the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and co-organized by the China Internet Development Foundation, the China Charity Alliance and Guoguang Media Development Co., Ltd. More than 100 guests attended the event, including representatives of government departments, international organizations, multinational enterprises and public welfare organizations from many countries, as well as experts, scholars and internet public welfare advocates.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/forum-on-the-development-of-internet-public-welfare-held-at-2026-world-internet-conference-wuzhen-summit-302931693.html
SOURCE CRI Online
Technology
Ev Dynamics Explores “AI+” Green Mobility Model
Published
7 minutes agoon
November 6, 2026By
Zhongtong Kinetic Energy, a Subsidiary of the Group, to Focus on Battery Swapping for New Energy Heavy Trucks and Fixed-route Transportation
Advancing Intelligent Dispatching, Energy Replenishment Management and Transportation Carbon Emission Data Management
HONG KONG, Nov. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — EV Dynamics (Holdings) Limited (the “Company”, stock code: 476.HK, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”) is exploring an expansion from the supply of new energy commercial vehicles into comprehensive green mobility services. Using battery swapping for new energy heavy trucks and fixed-route transportation as entry points, the Group will integrate artificial intelligence-powered dispatching, energy replenishment management and transportation carbon emission data management to progressively validate the “Transport as a Service” (TaaS) model.
Zhongtong Kinetic Energy (Hangzhou) Technology Co., Ltd. (“Zhongtong Kinetic Energy”), the Group’s China operating headquarters platform and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Group, will start with actual transportation demand, prioritising the study of fixed routes, stable cargo sources and high-frequency transportation scenarios. It will progressively establish a closed-loop operating model covering vehicles, energy replenishment, dispatching and operational evaluation, with vehicle utilisation rate, energy consumption per unit of transportation, energy replenishment efficiency, transportation costs and service stability serving as the key validation indicators.
In terms of artificial intelligence applications, the Group intends to explore functions such as intelligent route scheduling, energy replenishment planning, and operational and maintenance alerts based on transportation orders, driving routes, vehicle energy consumption, battery status and battery swapping station utilisation. These functions are intended to reduce empty running and waiting time, and improve the utilisation efficiency of vehicles and energy replenishment facilities. The relevant technologies will be progressively tested and iterated in conjunction with actual application scenarios, rather than remaining at the level of a standalone conceptual demonstration.
This direction is in line with the policy trend towards the large-scale application of new energy heavy trucks. In June 2026, the Ministry of Transport and ten other departments publicly issued the Implementation Plan for Promoting the Large-scale Application of New Energy Heavy Trucks (《推動新能源重卡規模化應用實施方案》), which proposed that, by 2030, the penetration rate of new energy heavy trucks should reach 40%, with the number of new energy heavy trucks in operation exceeding 1.6 million units, 30,000 kilometres of zero-carbon road transportation corridors to be constructed, and approximately 3,000 heavy truck charging and battery swapping stations to be supported and guided for construction.
Industry penetration has also continued to increase. According to terminal actual sales data under the compulsory traffic accident liability insurance for motor vehicles cited by First Commercial Vehicle Network, 33,100 new energy heavy trucks were sold in Mainland China in September 2026, representing a year-on-year increase of 37%, with the monthly penetration rate reaching 50.28%. These figures exclude exports and military vehicles, while the cumulative penetration rate for the period from January to September 2026 was 38.10%.
Mr. Zeng Yan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ev Dynamics, said: “We hope to start with actual transportation scenarios, first establishing vehicle operations, energy replenishment efficiency and dispatching management for fixed routes, and subsequently validate the transport service-based charging model. The value of artificial intelligence does not lie in introducing another concept, but in helping to reduce empty running and waiting time, improve the utilisation rates of vehicles and energy replenishment facilities, and provide customers with more efficient and quantifiable green transportation services.”
In terms of business models, the Group will explore an expansion from vehicle sales into battery swapping services, intelligent dispatching and mobility operations, and study transportation service arrangements charged by mileage or ton-kilometre, with a view to reducing customers’ initial capital investment and barriers to technology adoption, while seeking to progressively establish recurring revenue. The specific cooperation models will be determined according to route conditions, cargo source stability, energy replenishment requirements and project economic benefits.
In terms of carbon emission management, the Group intends to progressively establish the capabilities for digital recording, accounting and reporting of transportation mileage, energy consumption and emission reduction results, thereby providing data support for customers’ green supply chain management.
On 30 October 2026, the Group participated in the “The Oujiang Dialogue — AI Plus Integrated Innovation Development Forum” (「甌江論道——『人工智能+』融合創新發展論壇」) held in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, and entered into a strategic agreement with the International Academician Science and Technology Innovation Centre. Building on this agreement, both parties will explore the alignment of scientific research resources and industry-academia-research cooperation in the fields of artificial intelligence, new energy and intelligent connected vehicles. The Group also took this opportunity to exchange views with universities, research institutions and industry representatives on technology applications and the integration of technologies with practical application scenarios.
Regarding participation in the development of the Qidu Island Urban Intelligent Connected Vehicle Demonstration Zone, Mr. Zeng Yan proposed three directions: First, to prioritise the selection of actual fixed routes and establish an agile, iteratively upgradeable closed-loop operating model; Second, to explore joint operations and evaluation mechanisms with local partners, using operational efficiency, service safety and actual emission reduction results as the basis for evaluation; and Third, based on the validation of application scenarios in Mainland China, to explore opportunities to connect with Hong Kong’s resources in finance, professional services, standards and international markets.
Mr. Zeng Yan added: “Ev Dynamics hopes to become not merely a vehicle supplier, but also a participant in application scenarios and a co-builder of long-term operational mechanisms. The application scenarios and supply chain capabilities in Mainland China, combined with Hong Kong’s professional services and international connections, are expected to create favourable conditions for external cooperation in green mobility solutions.”
Looking ahead, the Group will adopt Academician Chen Qingquan’s “Four Networks and Four Flows” theory as a methodological guide for its green mobility system, exploring the coordination of the energy network, transportation network, information network and humanity network, and promoting the integration of energy flow, information flow, material flow and value flow. The Group will also put these concepts into practice across specific aspects such as vehicle dispatching, energy replenishment management and transportation services. Through Zhongtong Kinetic Energy, the Group will steadily advance the validation of application scenarios involving battery swapping for new energy heavy trucks, intelligent logistics dispatching and green mobility operations, while exploring industry-academia-research cooperation in technologies such as autonomous driving for specific transportation scenarios, including “Xinjiang Coal Outbound Transport”. The relevant businesses will be progressively advanced based on actual project progress and commercial feasibility.
About Ev Dynamics (Holdings) Limited
Guided by its mission to ‘revolutionise transportation’, Ev Dynamics is evolving from a pioneer in the global new energy commercial vehicle market into an integrated solution provider of ‘new energy transport vehicles + energy infrastructure’. The Group has supported electrification across multiple countries and cities worldwide. In addition to the development and production of electric vehicles, including electric buses and purpose-built electric vehicles, the Group has expanded into integrated e-Mobility Solutions, offering in the PRC a comprehensive ecosystem that combines vehicle supply, operations, and value-added services such as charging infrastructure deployment.
For more information, please visit: https://evdynamics.com/zh-hant/
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/ev-dynamics-explores-ai-green-mobility-model-302931694.html
SOURCE Ev Dynamics
Technology
Tech-Access Canada welcomes Budget 2026 and stands ready to help more Canadian companies commercialise
Published
1 hour agoon
November 6, 2026By
OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 5, 2026 /CNW/ — Tech-Access Canada, the national network of Canada’s 70 Technology Access Centres (TACs), welcomes Budget 2026’s proposals to expand the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentive and renew federal clean technology support. TACs already help Canadian companies test new technologies, validate products and prepare for production. Tech-Access Canada’s proposed Canadian Innovation Pipeline Initiative would give more businesses year-round access to the teams and facilities already doing that work.
TACs already provide contract research services to businesses. Under existing Canada Revenue Agency rules, businesses can claim eligible costs for qualifying SR&ED work that TACs perform under contract on their behalf. The proposed expansion, estimated at $930 million over five years, would extend eligibility to certain commercialisation expenses. These include testing and validation required for initial regulatory approval or certification when directly linked to an eligible SR&ED project. Tech-Access Canada is ready to share its project experience as the agency develops sector-specific guidance.
“A tax credit can help a company recover eligible costs. Somebody still has to pay for the test first,” said Ken Doyle, Executive Director of Tech-Access Canada. “Some of the firms our TACs work with are still building the case for NRC IRAP funding or seeking their first outside investment. That test can be exactly what a customer or investor needs to see before they commit. Canada already has the people, the labs and the equipment. Let’s fund the projects that put them to work.”
The National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) is Canada’s leading innovation assistance program for small and medium-sized businesses. Tech-Access Canada estimates that, through their partnership, NRC IRAP has funded approximately 75,000 hours of applied innovation and commercialisation support delivered by TACs over the past decade.
Tech-Access Canada welcomes the proposed renewal of NRC IRAP’s Clean Technology initiative. In the 2026 pilot, TACs moved quickly to complete 54 projects, helping companies advance from real-world prototype demonstration at technology readiness level (TRL) 7 toward commercial deployment at TRLs 8 and 9. TACs and their industry partners still have 161 projects scoped and ready to start as soon as a second round gets the green light.
“The clean technology pilot gave companies a chance to see how their technologies performed under real operating conditions,” said Jennifer Andersen, Vice-Chair of Tech-Access Canada and Executive Director, Applied Research & Innovation at Fleming College. “That evidence helps a business decide whether it’s ready to deploy or where it needs to do more work. We’d welcome the opportunity to extend that support to more companies.”
Since the tri-agency College and Community Innovation program began, the federal government has invested more than $1 billion through it in applied research. Tech-Access Canada thanks the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada for administering the program in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. The $165 million committed in the 2026 Spring Economic Update will help sustain that capacity.
“Canada’s three granting councils and the Canada Foundation for Innovation have helped build applied research capacity that businesses can draw on across the country,” said Melanie Ross, Chair of Tech-Access Canada and Research Chair at SAIT’s Green Building Technology Access Centre. “We welcome the opportunity to build on those investments and give more Canadian companies access to that expertise.”
Tech-Access Canada estimates that the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) has invested $500 million in federal funding for research infrastructure at colleges and cégeps over the past decade. At the College Fund’s 40% federal contribution ceiling, $500 million in capital funding would correspond to roughly $1.3 billion in eligible research infrastructure costs, with provinces, institutions and other partners contributing the balance. Dedicated, predictable infrastructure support for TACs would build on that partnership, keeping specialised facilities and equipment available on demand so TACs can respond quickly as new industry needs emerge.
“A pilot run can show a manufacturer whether a new process is worth scaling before it commits capital or changes its production line,” said Stephen Reaume, Treasurer of Tech-Access Canada and Director of Research at Lambton College. “TACs give smaller firms access to the equipment and expertise to run those trials and make decisions based on the results.”
Tech-Access Canada welcomes the opportunity to work with NRC research centres and federal departments such as Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. TACs and federal research teams could bring complementary expertise and equipment to company projects, from testing new technologies for fisheries and aquaculture to piloting new processes for food and agricultural businesses.
“When a Canadian company needs specialised equipment or expertise, we can help connect it with the team best equipped to do the work,” said Jean-Philippe Jacques, Vice-Chair of Tech-Access Canada and Director of Innofibre. “Sharing facilities and coordinating equipment purchases can reduce duplication, give companies faster access to the tools they need and make better use of the research infrastructure Canadians have already invested in.”
Tech-Access Canada proposes to deliver the Canadian Innovation Pipeline Initiative through the TAC network. Interactive Visits would help firms decide what’s worth pursuing. Strategic Interactions would help them test and validate their technologies. TRLascend projects would help them demonstrate those technologies at pilot scale and prepare for production or deployment. The proposed $33 million annual investment would support about 3,000 engagements with Canadian businesses each year once fully implemented.
The TAC network already gives companies access to more than 2,100 applied R&D professionals, two million square feet of dedicated applied R&D space and approximately $500 million in specialised equipment. Tech-Access Canada also has intake and project delivery systems in use today. With approval and funding, it could start accepting Pipeline projects within 48 hours. Tech-Access Canada looks forward to working with the federal government on the proposal ahead of the Spring 2027 Economic Update.
Through Commercialisation Canada, Tech-Access Canada will share stories of Canadian companies bringing new products and processes to market with TAC teams working alongside them. Companies bring their ideas and knowledge of their customers. TACs help them test, refine and scale what they’ve developed. This hands-on accompaniment is a Canadian model of collaborative applied innovation and commercialisation that has drawn international attention, including from the OECD. More details will follow.
About Tech-Access Canada
Tech-Access Canada is the national network of Canada’s Technology Access Centres. TACs help businesses solve technical problems, develop and validate products and processes, and adopt new technologies. Companies retain their intellectual property.
SOURCE Tech-Access Canada
Forum on the Development of Internet Public Welfare Held at 2026 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit
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Tech-Access Canada welcomes Budget 2026 and stands ready to help more Canadian companies commercialise
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