SR&ED for E-Commerce and Logistics Technology

E-commerce and logistics companies often assume their technical work is “just software” in a well-understood category. But scaling fulfillment, inventory, and routing systems to real-world constraints frequently surfaces the same kind of genuine technical uncertainty seen in other SR&ED-eligible software domains. Where Eligibility Commonly Shows Up ●   Developing routing or warehouse optimization algorithms where standard […]

Can Blockchain and Web3 Development Qualify for SR&ED?

Blockchain projects span a wide range — from genuinely novel consensus and cryptographic research to standard smart contract development using well-documented frameworks. The CRA evaluates these very differently, and the distinction matters more here than in most software subfields. What Typically Qualifies ●   Developing novel consensus mechanisms or cryptographic protocols to solve a specific scalability, […]

SR&ED Case Study: Physics Engine Optimization for Real-Time Rendering

Background A game studio’s title required simulating destructible environments with hundreds of interacting physical objects, but the engine’s standard physics system caused unacceptable frame rate drops once object counts exceeded a fraction of the design target. The Challenge The studio needed to determine whether the simulation could be optimized to hit target frame rates without […]

SR&ED for Gaming and Interactive Media Studios

Game studios are among the more under-claimed sectors for SR&ED, largely because so much of the work is described internally as “creative” or “content” rather than technical — even when engine, physics, and rendering teams are solving problems with no established solution. Where Eligibility Commonly Shows Up ●  Developing custom rendering, physics, or simulation systems […]

SR&ED Case Study: Intrusion Detection for Encrypted Traffic

Background A network security vendor’s intrusion detection product relied on inspecting unencrypted packet content, but the rapid shift to encrypted traffic across client networks left the product blind to a growing share of malicious activity. The Challenge The vendor needed to detect malicious behaviour patterns without access to decrypted payload content, and it was unclear […]

Can Cybersecurity Companies Claim SR&ED?

Cybersecurity is a field defined by constantly shifting threats — which sounds like a natural fit for SR&ED, but eligibility still comes down to whether a specific project involves genuine technological uncertainty, not just the fact that security work is inherently adversarial. Where Eligibility Commonly Shows Up ● Developing detection methods for novel attack patterns […]

SR&ED Case Study: Aerospace Component Testing Under Extreme Conditions

Background An aerospace parts manufacturer was asked to qualify an existing composite component for a new application involving a wider temperature range and higher vibration loads than the component’s original certification covered. The Challenge The manufacturer’s existing test data and analytical models were validated only within the original operating envelope, and it was unclear whether […]

SR&ED for Multi-Year R&D Projects: Claiming Across Fiscal Years

Many genuinely uncertain R&D efforts span multiple fiscal years — a materials formulation that takes eighteen months of trials, a platform rebuild that unfolds across three release cycles. Claiming this kind of work correctly requires understanding that each fiscal year gets its own claim, tied to what was actually uncertain during that specific period. Each […]

How the CRA Selects SR&ED Claims for Review

Not every SR&ED claim is reviewed in detail, and being selected for review isn’t itself a sign something is wrong — but understanding how selection works helps businesses prepare rather than panic if it happens. What Triggers a Closer Look ● A claim amount that’s grown sharply from the prior year without a clear explanation […]

Why SR&ED Claims Get Rejected: Top Reasons and How to Avoid Them

A rejected or reduced SR&ED claim is rarely a surprise to anyone who understands what went into it — the warning signs are usually visible well before filing. Understanding the most common failure points makes it much easier to catch them early. Reason 1: The Narrative Describes the Product, Not the Uncertainty A claim that […]