European and Canadian innovation leaders meet the tech sovereignty moment
The European DIGITAL SME Alliance (DIGITAL SME), Digital Governance Council (DGC) and Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) take action on the new EU-Canada transatlantic push to help homegrown companies access new markets, strengthen critical capabilities and build more resilient, globally competitive economies.
MONTRÉAL, September 17, 2026 – The European DIGITAL SME Alliance (DIGITAL SME), Digital Governance Council (DGC) and Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) are turning the new alliance into stronger commercial ties, greater market access and a more resilient technology base.
The stakes extend well beyond technology. Economic resilience, strategic autonomy and global competitiveness increasingly depend on the ability to build, own and scale critical capabilities at home.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced plans for the new innovation alliance yesterday, opening a new chapter in European Union (EU)–Canada cooperation and laying the groundwork for stronger business-to-business connections and policy conditions that can help European and Canadian technology companies enter new markets, find customers and partners, and scale across the Atlantic.
Economic resilience increasingly depends on who builds, owns and controls the technologies and infrastructure that underpin modern economies. Europe and Canada have strong research institutions and capable technology companies, yet both depend heavily on infrastructure, cloud services and platforms controlled elsewhere. These dependencies create strategic vulnerabilities and allow much of the value generated by their digital economies to be captured outside their jurisdictions.
Representing European and Canadian technology companies this week at ALL IN, Canada’s leading artificial intelligence conference, DIGITAL SME, DGC and CCI are working together to translate the new alliance into concrete cooperation between the two ecosystems.
“We fully support efforts by the European Commission and Canada to strengthen our collaboration,” said Oliver Grün, President of DIGITAL SME. “European companies, particularly digital small and medium-sized enterprises, are ready to contribute their innovations to a shared EU–Canada sovereign technology stack.”
The economic opportunity is significant. In 2025, trade in goods and services between the EU and Canada reached C$178.6 billion, while two-way direct investment stocks stood at nearly C$500 billion. Canada is also pursuing an ambitious trade diversification agenda that aims to double non-U.S. exports over the coming decade.
During her State of the Union address in Strasbourg today, attended by Prime Minister Mark Carney, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined an alliance spanning artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cybersecurity and intelligent manufacturing. She also opened the door to Canada becoming the EU’s first associate member.
“Canada and Europe have strong ties. The opportunity now is to turn that foundation into deeper commercial cooperation,” said Keith Jansa, Chief Executive Officer of DGC. “Together with DIGITAL SME and CCI, we are advancing standards interoperability, stronger business connections and clearer pathways for companies to scale trusted technologies across the Atlantic.”
DIGITAL SME, DGC and CCI believe interoperability, federation and orchestration should be central to the new alliance. Open interfaces and common standards can better connect European and Canadian technologies, while effective orchestration can turn ecosystems of specialized firms into a competitive advantage.
Together, these measures can build a more resilient technology base that is less dependent on any single provider or jurisdiction and distributes economic value more broadly.
“CCI and our members are determined to turn the renewed EU–Canada partnership into real opportunities for innovators on both sides of the Atlantic,” said Patrick Searle, Chief Executive Officer of CCI. “By deepening cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cybersecurity and digital trade, we can expand market access, strengthen our shared technological resilience and build globally competitive companies grounded in our common values.”
As organizations representing key parts of the European and Canadian technology ecosystems, DIGITAL SME, DGC and CCI will continue working to deepen transatlantic cooperation and turn the new alliance into commercial opportunities for companies on both sides of the Atlantic.
ABOUT DIGITAL SME
The European DIGITAL SME Alliance is the largest network of ICT small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Europe, representing more than 45,000 digital SMEs across Europe. The alliance is the joint effort of 30 national and regional SME associations from EU member states and neighbouring countries.
ABOUT THE DIGITAL GOVERNANCE COUNCIL
The Digital Governance Standards Institute develops digital technology governance standards fit for global use. The Institute works with experts, as well as national and global partners and the public, to develop national standards that reduce risk to Canadians and Canadian organizations adopting and using innovative digital technologies in today’s digital economy. The Institute is an independent division of the Digital Governance Council.
ABOUT THE COUNCIL OF CANADIAN INNOVATORS
The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) is Canada’s business council for the 21st century economy. We are a collective of over 175 of Canada’s fastest-growing and most ambitious companies, and the founders, CEOs, and executives behind them, working together to improve the business conditions that help more homegrown companies scale, compete globally, and drive long-term prosperity.
