Immersive Technologies in Canada 2024
Innovate UK in collaboration with UK Science and Innovation Network (UK SIN) delivered a Global Expert Mission (GEM) to Canada in January 2024. This Global GEM brought together a team of UK industry experts to assess the immersive technology industry in Canada to identify key areas for collaboration and potential programmes needed to enable UK innovators to collaborate with Canadian partners.
Abstract from outcome report:
Collaboration between the UK and Canada can address common challenges and leverage shared frameworks for innovation and funding. While regulation catches up with technological innovation, collaboration between nations can influence international standards and shape unified national policies to facilitate R&D and trade. However, careful attention is required to navigate regulatory landscapes and establish frameworks for sustainable collaboration to ensure long-term economic opportunities and market stability.
Canada’s immersive technology industry has a near equal distribution of “product” and “service” companies. Product companies account for approximately 50% of the Canadian immersive technology companies: these companies supply immersive technology products, such as video games, entertainment experiences, and content development tools. Service companies, meanwhile, account for 46% of Canadian immersive technology companies: these build custom ICT solutions for clients as a service. Hybrid product and service companies account for the remaining 4%.
About Global Expert Missions
Global Expert Missions (GEM) is funded by Innovate UK and designed to build international collaborations with governments, societies, enterprises, institutions, and people from every corner of the globe. With global challenges requiring international perspectives, the programme aims to support the UK government’s ambition to be the international partner of choice and a global hub for innovation by 2035.