The energy of our community and the focus not on who you are, but what you can do – and how you can contribute – provided a platform where I knew that hard work would be rewarded. I was not disappointed. I was fortunate to be exposed to the Global Positioning System (GPS) early in my career since it was adopted in its infancy in Calgary to support the energy sector. This ignited a life-long passion for technology and innovation that ultimately led me to a career in engineering research, academia and leadership.
During my 40 years in Alberta, I have seen innovation be nurtured and deployed across sectors ranging from energy to agriculture to health. Mixed with the entrepreneurial-spirit, solution-orientation and optimism that is in Alberta’s DNA, this has led to new companies being created here, expanding here or moving here because this is where dreams turn to reality. In the cleantech space alone, 51% of ventures are led by first time founders, emphasizing the ability to successfully put ideas to work through talent attraction, capital investment and a supportive community.
What is particularly exciting is that Alberta’s growth in innovation is being fueled by our increasingly diverse tech entrepreneurs and leaders. About 50% of Alberta startups have at least one founder who identifies as a visible minority and 4% who identify as Indigenous. And 30% of tech startups in Alberta are women – well above the national average of 20%. Harnessing our diversity has differentiated Alberta from other tech ecosystems and has led to numerous accelerators, incubators and venture capital firms taking notice and setting up shop here.
The flywheel is in motion with diversification being accelerated by what Albertans do best – work together as a community. Our enviable location, talent – nurtured by world-class educational institutions – and can-do spirit, are supporting our innovation ecosystem which is resulting in more massively scalable companies in our own back yard. Alberta’s impact on the world is only growing and I am excited to see what will happen over my next 40 years!
