Jannis Mei leads Manifold Data Mining, a Toronto-based company that helps businesses harness data for smarter decisions. But Mei believes Canada risks losing its tech talent and competitiveness unless it builds stronger innovation ecosystems.

"We don't lack talent—we lack transparency and scale."

Startups often can't access government programs due to high barriers like proof-of-concept requirements or lack of connections. Programs like SR&ED and IRAP, while beneficial, are often inaccessible to early-stage ventures that lack sales metrics.

Mei advocates for a restructured startup funding pipeline—one that includes tax benefits, grants, and low-barrier subsidies. "The U.S. generates 1.5 times more gross fixed capital investment per worker than Canada," he notes. "If we want to compete, we need to match their ambition."
He also emphasizes the need for transparency in government contracts and improved communication. "Startups often don't know where to start," he says.

"There should be a centralized platform with clear eligibility, timelines, and feedback."

Lower taxes, simplified applications, and more early-stage support could stop the brain drain. Canada currently ranks behind 47 of 50 U.S. states in GDP per capita. Mei warns:

"We can't afford to keep losing our innovators."

Manifold's mission is to make data intelligence more accessible. Mei believes Canada's policies should mirror that: accessible, scalable, and startup-friendly.
"We're competing with Silicon Valley for minds," he says. "We need to act like it."