Partnership Formed Between AXL and RSM Canada to Fast-Track Artificial Intelligence Market Expansion
In a significant move to address Canada's AI commercialization gap, Toronto-based venture studio AXL and professional services firm RSM Canada have announced a strategic collaboration. This partnership is designed to boost the country’s digital economy by ensuring Canadian AI innovations scale domestically rather than being exported prematurely.
According to a recent UN report, fewer than half of top Canadian AI innovations are ever patented, and only 20% of mid-sized Canadian companies adopt AI technologies. Limited talent, high implementation costs, and uncertain ROI are cited as reasons for the low adoption rate of AI technologies in mid-sized Canadian companies.
Harry Blum, national managing partner at RSM Canada, stated that the collaboration aims to accelerate innovation and help businesses move beyond legacy models to grow, compete, and thrive in a future-ready economy. The collaboration is aimed at ensuring Canada's leadership in the digital economy is measured not only by its research, but also by the value it delivers to businesses, workers, and the broader economy.
Dr. Daniel Wigdor, co-founder and CEO of AXL, stated that the partnership is about execution over hype and leading in outcomes, not just ideas. Through AXL’s AI Catalyst program, a corporate partnership initiative, the collaboration connects academic AI research with real market demand, validating and fast-tracking high-potential AI applications based on genuine industry needs.
The partnership leverages real-time industry feedback to develop practical, accessible AI technologies that meet enterprise requirements, addressing barriers such as limited talent, high implementation costs, and uncertain ROI that hinder AI adoption among mid-sized Canadian companies.
RSM's 2025 Middle Market AI Survey echoes these concerns, underscoring the need for practical, accessible AI solutions tailored to the middle market. RSM has recently committed US$1 billion globally to AI innovation, with a focus on enabling AI adoption among mid-market businesses.
As part of the partnership, RSM will serve as AXL’s exclusive provider of accounting, tax, and consulting services. This includes offering strategic guidance, compliance support, and growth planning to AXL and its portfolio of AI-focused startups.
Together, AXL and RSM aim to catalyse a new generation of AI-powered companies in Canada. By combining AXL’s innovation and commercialization pipeline with RSM’s professional services and industry access, the collaboration aims to turn Canada’s AI research strength into economic impact, supporting digital economy growth and better adoption of AI solutions across Canadian enterprises.
[1] Source: [Link to the UN report] [2] Source: [Link to RSM's 2025 Middle Market AI Survey] [3] Source: [Link to RSM's US$1 billion AI innovation commitment]
- In an effort to combat the low adoption rate of AI technologies in mid-sized Canadian companies, the partnership between AXL and RSM Canada aims to focus on the execution of artificial-intelligence solutions that meet enterprise requirements.
- By connecting academic AI research with real market demand, the AI Catalyst program offered by AXL, through this strategic collaboration with RSM Canada, aims to fast-track high-potential AI applications using artificial-intelligence, addressing barriers such as limited talent and uncertain ROI that hinder AI adoption.
