Nasscom opens Launchpad in Canada, to help 20 companies set up shop in the country

The National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) has expanded its Launchpad program to Canada, more specifically, in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the City of Brampton. The program is part of Nasscomm’s partnership with the Government of Canada, in a bid to increase relations between the Indian and Canadian technology ecosystems.   

The Launchpad program will act as catalyst for the global expansion of Indian IT companies. The member companies will be able to understand and work with foreign markets better, along with a heads up on the government regulations, tax planning and incentives in the different regions.   

“I am confident that this Launchpad will provide greater momentum for the Indo-Canadian trade and will boost opportunities available for Indian companies,” said Shivendra Singh, Vice President & Head - Global Trade Development at NASSCOM.   

For the Canadian Launchpad, Nasscom said that it will act as a home base for conducting business in North America. The body will also provide upto six months rent-free office space, for an initial set of 20 companies. The program is expected to create around 200 jobs over the next four years. 

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The Launchpad first began in July 2020 when it was launched in New Jersey, USA, in a bid to promote foreign direct investment, mostly in technology sector, between the two regions.   

Nasscom, which is a lobby for India’s IT industry, pegged at $191 billion, will now focus on Canada to help Indian companies explore opportunities in the region.   

“Locating your business in Canada opens the doors to world markets for your company through Canada’s 15 trade agreements with 51 countries and potential access to 1.5 billion consumers,” said Cameron MacKay, High Commissioner-Designate for Canada to India.