As our healthcare workers continue the brave fight against COVID-19 in the face of a fourth wave, the business sector is working to help kickstart economic growth after more than a year and a half marred by uncertainty.Canada's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have seen a lot over the past 18 months – lockdowns, closures, supply chain challenges, labour shortages, and burnouts have all taken their toll.And, while the vaccination campaign has allowed a certain return to normal, several question marks remain for Canada's entrepreneurs.Despite their importance, SMEs are often overlooked in discussions about post-COVID-19 economic recovery. This is at our peril. It is undeniable that Canada's economic rebound will in large part be driven by our SMEs, which represent 97.9% of the country's businesses and employ 88.5% of the private sector labour force, according to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.But our Canadian entrepreneurs are stretched thin.And while those in political circles enthusiastically talk about 'recovery', 'reinvention' and 'transformation', we cannot expect our entrepreneurs to have all the answers to the challenges that await them in the post-pandemic era.One impediment to the continued success and productivity of Canada's SMEs – a paradox that has weighed heavily on our business sector for years – is a marked lack of investment in R&D, innovation, and low commercialization of knowledge from post-secondary institutions. Study after study show that  Canada lags behind other OECD countries when it comes to business investment in R&D.This is despite our strong international reputation for both our forward-thinking, entrepreneurial culture and our unparalleled investment in post-secondary institutions and the researchers who power their advancements.So where exactly is the problem? Talent and knowledge exist and are within reach. Our SME landscape is dynamic, experienced, and creative. Nevertheless, despite their versatility, SMEs cannot be expected to know everything, all the time.The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the benefits of investing in R&D, innovation, and technology. Our recovery response must directly help SMEs to make the necessary technological and sectorial shifts so that they may evolve, innovate and, ultimately, thrive.This shift towards greater innovation can only be facilitated by hiring highly qualified personnel, people with specific knowledge, usually with a post-secondary, and often university level education.However, this costs money and, for SMEs that are not used to working with university graduates, it can be difficult to see the added value, and justify the additional expense.This is why it is important to start with collaborations, even on a one-time basis, with post-secondary institutions on specific projects that address tangible small business needs. By doing so, we can change the innovation journey of SMEs, one at a time.Consider Myant, a Toronto-based startup in wearable technology which pivoted early in the pandemic to develop a new washable and reusable mask that surpasses the standards for filtration, with the help of post-secondary researchers.Or Dionamix, a small startup from British Columbia that manufactures testing equipment for agriculture products and was able to continue R&D solely because of the Mitacs SME discount. This helped to keep a nascent partnership with UBC going and a few months of bridging gave them the breathing room to pick up sales to extend into the future.Now, more than ever, Canada's SMEs need our support. Financial, of course. But above all, support for R&D and innovation to help them modernize and grow.Building a more productive, competitive, and prosperous Canada will be carried out through collaborative innovation projects that solve business challenges and therefore not only increase innovation, but also drive research advancements and support the next generation of researchers who will make up the highly qualified workforce of tomorrow.That's why we're calling on governments of all levels and all political stripes to renew their support for building strong links between SMEs and the post-secondary sector to help businesses deal with the myriad issues they face.October is Small Business Month. Politicians across the country have been praising this important component of our economy, but beyond these words we cannot forget that for our small businesses to succeed, they must be able to count on sustained investment in R&D and innovation – so they are ready for what comes next.Eric Bosco is the Chief Business Development and Partnerships Officer at Mitacs, a national, not-for-profit organization that has designed and delivered innovation internship programs across Canada for over 20 years.