IRAP impacts: Esri Canada

July 07, 2025 - Toronto, Ontario

Aerial view of a busy, multi-layered roads interchange with heavy traffic in all directions, surrounded by patches of urban landscaping.

Esri Canada's global reach: Reinventing urban mobility through international collaboration

Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Toronto, Esri Canada has become a national and global trailblazer in geographic information systems (GIS). With a dedicated team of over 650 professionals across 13 regional offices, Esri Canada empowers more than 12,000 customers to leverage spatial intelligence in making smart, data-driven decisions. As a recognized leader in mapping, location intelligence and smart city solutions, the company is a prime example of Canadian innovation at work, reshaping urban planning and mobility both locally and internationally.

The challenge

As cities struggle with traffic, pollution and the need for sustainable transport, Esri Canada aimed to create technology to transform urban living. They understood that the future of smart cities lies in real-time data and advanced 4D spatial analysis—tools essential for managing traffic flow and infrastructure. But while the vision was strong, turning it into reality demanded more than cutting-edge tech. It required access to global research networks, strategic partnerships and targeted financial support.

How we helped

For over a decade, the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) has been a catalyst in Esri Canada's journey from local innovator to global leader, providing strategic advice, funding and access to global collaboration platforms that helped scale their technology and expand its international reach.

Through Eureka, an international network for collaborative R&D, and specifically the ITEA RD&I Cluster on software innovation, NRC IRAP provided targeted support at critical growth stages.

Strategic advisory services:

NRC IRAP's industrial technology advisors offered specialized services and expertise in international market expansion, helping Esri Canada identify key opportunities in the smart city ecosystem and refine their R&D strategy for global competitiveness.

Connections to expand international collaboration:

NRC IRAP connected Esri Canada to a network of international partners across Europe and North America. Events such as the ITEA Project Outline Days gave the company a platform to pitch ideas, forge partnerships, and gain market insights—laying the groundwork for global growth.

Funding support to accelerate R&D innovation:

Through strategic funding support, NRC IRAP enabled Esri Canada to participate in ambitious international projects, particularly the groundbreaking ITEA Spatial Modelling Analytics & Real-time Tracking (SMART) Mobility project. This initiative harnessed real-time vehicle movement data and cutting-edge 4D spatial technology to reduce urban congestion by up to 15%.

The result? Less congestion. Lower emissions. Happier commuters, and a Canadian company that's now a global leader in smart mobility. Esri Canada's journey proves that Canadian innovation can lead on the world stage,and drive real change at home. Esri Canada carries the proof that Canadian ideas can, and should, be part of solving the world's biggest challenges.

"Collaborating with international partners through Eureka's ITEA Cluster has been transformative for our growth. It has enabled us to harness diverse expertise, access new markets and accelerate our innovation process. Leveraging these global connections not only drives our success on a global scale, but also champions Canadian innovation and our nation's capabilities on the world stage."

Alex Miller, President, Esri Canada