From complexity to clarity: QQuote’s SR&ED journey with Employment Hero

‍QQuote: solving a messy problem in a messy industry

In Canada, winter tires aren’t just a choice, they’re a requirement. Dealerships have to manage huge amounts of fitment data and supplier information, and it’s often chaotic.

That’s the gap QQuote stepped in to fix. They’re a small Canadian software company with a big mission: make tire coding easy.

As Nathan Hufnagel, who leads engineering and operations, explained: 

“Our application consolidates supplier information and fitment data. It’s a white-glove service, similar to Shopify, but highly specialized for the tire buying experience.”

Instead of leaving dealerships drowning in data, QQuote built a tool that gives them clarity and control.

Why QQuote considered SR&ED

For a nine-person team, every resource counts. To keep building and driving innovation, QQuote turned to the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit program. It’s the Canadian government’s way of helping businesses innovate faster, offering non-dilutive capital through tax credits for research and development work.

Nathan had heard of SR&ED before, but it wasn’t until trusted connections pointed him in the right direction that it became real. 

“We hadn’t managed SR&ED claims before. It was through recommendations from some industry connections who recognized the type of work we were doing.”

The main motivation was straightforward: 

“It was really the financial benefits that got us looking at it. We wanted to keep pushing on sales and innovation, but didn’t have a lot of extra resources to dedicate.”

Finding an SR&ED partner who could guide them

Nathan and his team had never been through the SR&ED process before. With limited capacity, they knew they couldn’t spend weeks figuring it out on their own. That’s where Employment Hero came in.

“It was easy working with Employment Hero. They helped us identify relevant projects for the claim, consolidate the information, and write the application. All we had to do was submit it through our CRA account.”

Audits are uncommon in the SR&ED process, but for many first-time applicants, the idea can feel a little daunting. When QQuote was selected for an audit on their very first claim, Nathan and his team weren’t sure what to expect. That’s where Employment Hero’s support made the difference.

“When we were audited, Ali and Joch walked us through it. They gave us clear guidance on the questions and the information that was needed. It made what would’ve been overwhelming much easier to manage.”

This support mattered because not every SR&ED provider offers audit defense without additional cost. Many will prepare and submit the paperwork, but if an audit happens, businesses are often left to figure it out on their own. For a lean startup team, that can be overwhelming.

With Employment Hero, QQuote had experts in their corner who actively defended their claim. What could have been a stressful experience instead became a smooth process, with the business able to keep moving forward with confidence.

The impact: More runway and innovation

The result of securing SR&ED funding was immediate. 

“The SR&ED funding helped fill a financial gap. It allowed us to avoid outside investment and gave management the ability to focus on sales and innovation.”

That breathing room gave QQuote the chance to reinvest in what mattered most: building. 

“Our funding has gone back into development. It has helped us keep pushing innovation and put us in a position to integrate with other dealership applications. Over the next 12 months, that’s going to be a big growth opportunity.”

Instead of being slowed down, they gained momentum.

Advice to other small businesses

Nathan knows how intimidating SR&ED can look from the outside. But his message is simple: 

“I’d highly recommend it, especially if it’s your first time applying. Employment Hero’s support was very helpful.”

And his advice for anyone still on the fence:

“Don’t hesitate. Apply sooner rather than later. It’s definitely worth it, even if the process seems complex.”

Turning complexity into clarity

QQuote’s story shows how a small team with big ambitions can use SR&ED to keep building without burning out. With Employment Hero’s support, they didn’t just survive the process, they used it to grow.

As Nathan summed it up: “It filled a financial gap, gave us the space to innovate, and positioned us for growth.”

That’s the real value – making complex work simple, so businesses can get back to doing what they do best.

Want to turn SR&ED into your growth engine? Book a demo with Employment Hero today.