Trackwork is a powerful cloud-based platform designed to streamline and enhance the management of Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED)* submissions. 

By providing comprehensive tools and resources, Trackwork helps businesses efficiently track their R&D activities, manage project documentation, and ensure compliance with SR&ED tax incentive program requirements.

The platform offers seamless integration with existing systems, robust reporting features, and real-time collaboration capabilities, empowering companies to maximize their SR&ED claims and optimize their innovation efforts.

With Trackwork, users can:

• Streamline time tracking and reporting with an end-to-end solution
• Estimate claim amounts throughout the year
• Automatically map eligible work to SR&ED reports
• Make strategic decisions for maximized claim reporting with enhanced data visualization
• Always be audit-ready
• Increase their claim amounts 
• Control their own SR&ED data year-over-year
• Reduce the time and cost spent managing SR&ED requirements
• Generate T661 reports

*The SR&ED tax incentive program, a federal initiative by the Canada Revenue Agency, encourages Canadian businesses to invest in research and development by providing tax credits and deductions for qualifying SR&ED expenditures. This program helps offset the costs associated with innovation and technological advancement, supporting businesses in their R&D efforts and promoting scientific progress and economic growth in Canada.

How Necessity Sparked the Development of Trackwork

Trackwork was launched by an experienced entrepreneurial husband and wife team, Tiffanee Scorer and Lawrence Sparling. During Sparling’s many years working in Vancouver’s video game industry building backend production systems, at one point he was given the task of managing the multi-million dollar SR&ED claim for a large, fast-growing game studio.  

After dealing with the onerous process of using spreadsheets the first year, and experiencing the hassle and limitations with that, he decided to build a software platform to improve the process.

With extensive use and feedback from hundreds of developers over several years, Trackwork has evolved into the highly effective tool it is today.

Lawrence was able to double his SR&ED contracts without the usual stress associated with such complex claims. In turn, he substantially increased their claim amounts while reducing the amount of time that the team had to spend on this process.

As Lawrence moved on to other work and projects, he maintained ownership of the platform but wasn’t actively using it. Fast forward a few years later, his wife Tiffanee saw an opportunity to revitalize the software and explore its potential product market fit. After having conversations with business owners and SR&ED consultants, Tiffanee and Lawrence were happy to see there was a significant need in the market for their product.

To bring even more expertise onboard, Tiffanee and Lawrence are thrilled to recently welcome Meena Sandhu to their team. As an enterprising SaaS revenue executive with over 20 years of experience, Meena excels at developing high-performing sales, marketing, and customer success teams. 

What Sets Trackwork Apart

Trackwork prides itself on being the most comprehensive SR&ED specific software available to both companies claiming SR&ED, as well as to SR&ED consultancies wishing to offer tools to improve their client’s success. Tiffanee says many people are still using spreadsheets or existing time tracking systems for their SR&ED process, which can cause stress during the preparation process.

Compared to other time tracking tools on the market, Trackwork offers dashboards to maximize productivity during every step of the entire SR&ED claim process, including time tracking, technical report writing, and  generating T661 reports.

How Trackwork Has Simplified the SR&ED Process 

The development of Trackwork came with its own set of challenges. Tiffanee described how in the earlier stages of the software’s use, Lawrence noted issues around ensuring employee compliance with time tracking. 

Since Lawrence was building the software with the support of a development team, he successfully landed on a process that everyone was satisfied with. In this case, Trackwork tied directly into their existing source control system, allowing automated pre-population of each programmer’s logs to enable 90% faster SR&ED logging for each developer.

Trackwork is also aware of the reputational concerns that consulting firms face. The software helps mitigate this by balancing automation and personal oversight using dashboards to help firms provide top-notch service while maintaining a strong working relationship with the CRA, their clients, and SR&ED financers.

One of their key messages is to dispel the notion that the SR&ED process needs to be overly burdensome, and encourages any company that thinks they may qualify to look into it. Tiffanee highlights this by explaining that they want to make it less onerous, acknowledging the tax credit as a significant source of funding for research-driven companies who can often claim 65% of eligible R&D expenses back.

How Companies Are Using Trackwork

Part of the reward that Tiffanee has experienced with Trackwork is seeing the various ways that it has benefitted the users of the software. Feedback has been positive, with users appreciating the platform’s ability to integrate seamlessly into their workflows, support large-scale data imports, and provide valuable organizational tools for SR&ED activities. Early adopters  outside of the video game industry include channel partners and independent claimants. Here’s how some of the companies are using the software:

Climate Door is using Trackwork both to manage their own internal SR&ED claim, as well as recommending it to the companies they serve.

VanHack leverages Trackwork to organize and track SR&ED activities for multiple software developers working for multiple companies.

Honeycomb.ai successfully used Trackwork to import a year’s worth of data to enable them to hit their year-end deadline.

Additionally, Trackwork is forming key partnerships with major SR&ED consulting firms such as Leyton, and the SR&ED financing company Bonsai Growth Solutions, which is helping to increase its traction in the market.

The Future of Trackwork 

Trackwork plans to integrate AI into their software to support their innovative new features in the works for a better overall user experience. 

They also have plans to expand into other tax credit programs like  the new Clean Economy Tax Credit, The Digital Media Tax Credit, and The Quebec E-Business Tax Credit.

The Heart of Trackwork

When asked what has been her most rewarding experience in building Trackwork, Tiffanee says that it’s been the people that she’s gotten to meet. 

“I get to talk to companies who are doing such innovative and interesting things, and people are receptive to the platform, I think it’s really been about the relationship building.”

She’s found the act of engaging in the startup ecosystem rewarding, enjoying networking and seeing the connections she’s naturally formed developing into stronger ties that have been beneficial to growing the business. 

Founder’s Insights on Integrating Values and Vision

When asked about the best advice she’s received when running a business, Tiffanee reflected on how her previous work with influencers and content creators has shaped her approach to leading Trackwork. Drawing from these experiences, she emphasized how they taught her the importance of aligning a business with personal values. 

“Build a business that you want to serve, build a business that has the values, and the people, and the story that you want to be part of.”

Tiffanee’s approach to leading Trackwork is rooted in building a business that not only serves their audience but also reflects her ideals. This philosophy ensures that she remains passionate and committed to her work, while applying herself to the area of tax credit software.

Closing Words

Trackwork is revolutionizing the way businesses manage their SR&ED projects. It offers a standardized, end-to-end process for managing SR&ED claims and empowering companies to optimize their R&D efforts. As Tiffanee continues to lead Trackwork, she believes that building relationships and aligning the business with her personal values ensures that Trackwork not only serves its users effectively, but also remains a passion-driven venture. 

If you’re a Canadian company that’s curious about whether you qualify for SR&ED, or a company interested in improving your internal SR&ED process, contact Trackwork at https://www.trackwork.cloud/.