The Tamil Creator Podcast (EP #76): Naren Balakrishnan - Helping Canadian Companies Innovate By Navigating The Multi-Billion Dollar SRED Program

"Naren Balakrishnan is a Partner at Grant Thornton LLP. He joins Ara on this week’s episode of #TheTamilCreator to discuss his past life being an engineer at IBM, the $3 billion-plus tax credits that are given out in Canada every year, his relationship with money including how he invests, why companies need to consider & take advantage of the SRED program, and more!"

Podcasts

Aug 15, 2022

Ara Ehamparam

Business Owner

Toronto, Canada

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He joins Ara on this week’s episode of #TheTamilCreator to discuss his past life being an engineer at IBM, the $3 billion-plus tax credits that are given out in Canada every year, his relationship with money including how he invests, why companies need to consider & take advantage of the SRED program, and more!

"The Tamil Creator" is a podcast started by me (Ara Ehamparam) to celebrate, spotlight and learn about the brilliance among Tamil creators globally. I want you to feel like you're a fly on the wall eavesdropping on a conversation that is a combination of educational, inspirational and entertaining.

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To get more information, please visit the website at TheTamilCreator.com.

Timestamps

00:19 - Ara introduces this week’s guest, Naren Balakrishnan
01:00 - Naren’s upbringing, family life, and path to becoming a software engineer
03:24 - What he liked, and didn’t like, as a software engineer; a passion for problem-solving
05:32 - Making the switch to work in a technology-based role
08:22 - Government Canada’s SRED (Scientific Research and Experimental Development) program
10:46 - Naren explains how Grant Thornton adds value to its customers
15:37 - The types of companies that eligible to apply for SRED
17:31 - How Naren would enhance the SRED program if he had a say in policy
20:38 - The amount of money Canadian companies spend on R&D; what are they spending it on?
24:36 - How Naren’s friends/family reacted to his career change
27:12 - His biggest learning lesson in the last 3-5 years; how to deal with people
29:54 - The personal legacy he wants to be remembered for by his friends and family
32:06 - Advice he would give his 16-year-old self
33:32 - Naren’s relationship with money; saving and investments
34:52 - His favourite ways to consume new information; podcasts, articles, etc.
37:50 - Investments being poured into enhancing space
39:09 - How COVID-19 impacted Naren; physical activity and seizing the moment
41:51 - Creator Confessions
50:00 - The Wrap Up