INNOVATE™ Alberta

Innovations of the World

INNOVATE™ Alberta

There seems to be something special brewing in Alberta. A synergy that connects traditional business with the new economy, creating a unique perspective on innovation and establishing itself as a strong emerging tech hub for Canada.

INNOVATE™ Alberta celebrates the province’s abundant natural resources, creativity, determination, and capital and how these factors are transformed into products and services that drive innovation.

The booming breath of business in Alberta is powered by a variety of stakeholders, including educators, enterprises, startups, and public agents. This collaboration of minds is allowing the province to compete at a global level and this is just the beginning, as more people are noticing Edmonton’s Artificial Intelligence capabilities and Calgary’s digital transformation.

As a place with deep roots in the oil and gas industry, Alberta looks to establish itself in the new economy with strong sectors identified as cleantech, artificial intelligence, agritech, and digital media. There is a certain resilience and strength that develops with boom and bust economics, combined with capital and top talent – Alberta is definitely a tech haven in the making.

Featured Thought Leaders

Featured Thought Leaders

Featured Innovators

Featured Innovators

MARMOT BENEFITS

REWARD WITH DEBT RELIEF

Hello Debt Relief!With innovation all around, a new idea can pop up anywhere, even in rock solid places like the company savings plan. “I’ve been in financial services my whole career,” says Marmot Benefits Founder, John Kenny, “I learned early on that personal debt can be the single biggest obstacle...

RED DEER POLYTECHNIC

Creating Solutions for Industry

The Centres for Manufacturing and Energy Innovation collaborate with business and industry clients to help them reach their goals. “Every innovation starts with a challenge, but that challenge is not always coming up with a new idea. Sometimes the biggest challenge entrepreneurs face is overcoming barriers to accessing the technology...

UNBOUNDED THINKING

FROM BUZZWORD TO BLUEPRINT: Unbounded Thinking’s Structured Approach to Innovation

In the broad and often nebulous world of innovation, one company in Alberta aims to change how we think about innovation with its unique approach: Unbounded Thinking. With a mission to transform ‘innovation’ from a vague buzzword into a scientific discipline, the team at Unbounded Thinking brings a refreshing perspective...

INCEPTIONU

The Un-School challenging Calgarians to think and build differently

Have you ever thought about the difference between being future proof or future fit? InceptionU co-founders Margo Purcell and Greg Hart certainly have. In fact, the two Calgary professionals have built a business around it. InceptionU is a place of meaningful learning where individuals, businesses and organizations go to learn...

INVERTED VENTURES

WE FINANCE PARADIGM SHIFTS

FINANCING PARADIGM SHIFTSA paradigm shift is a revolutionary and disruptive change in the human experience. Inverted Ventures is a single family office of investors with a passion for technology that radically improves the human experience. We invest in founders with visions for the future that will lead to fundamental changes...

W21C

W21C- Interdisciplinary collaboration to make care better

W21C- Interdisciplinary collaboration to make care better

ABOUTW21C is a research and innovation centre based in the University of Calgary’s O’Brien Institute for Public Health in the Cumming School of Medicine and the Calgary Zone of Alberta Health Services (AHS). W21C conducts research to improve health services and systems to Make Care Better. OUR HISTORYW21C was created...

Brenda Strafford Foundation (BSF)

AN INNOVATIVE FORCE-THE PRESERVATION OF DIGNITY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

Canada’s population is growing older. In 2019, the population of seniors 65-years of age and older was almost one-fifth of the overall population, and by 2040 the population of seniors is predicted to reach one-fourth of the overall population, with over one-third of seniors having two or more chronic diseases.1...

GRANDE PRAIRIE REGIONAL INNOVATION NETWORK (GPRIN)

INVESTING IN INNOVATION

GPRIN is the Innovation Network serving northwestern Alberta innovators and entrepreneurs. We offer resources, knowledge, and connections to develop, validate, manufacture, market and launch innovations into the marketplace. The innovation ecosystem in Alberta is expansive and GPRIN has access to resources and expertise in a wide variety of areas, in...

PRAIRIESCAN

PRAIRIES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CANADA

BUILDING ON SUCCESSIn 2021, the Government of Canada embarked on a new approach to economic development in the West. To better recognize the unique economic drivers of the Prairies and British Columbia, the department known as Western Economic Diversification (WD) evolved into two departments. On August 6, 2021, Prairies Economic...

TOAST

IS ADDRESSING THE GENDER PAY GAP BY INCREASING THE REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN THE TECH SECTOR

We know that women approach job applications differently than men do. They are far less likely to apply for positions that are more senior than the one they’re in currently, whereas men are less concerned by that. Still, recruiters and hiring managers are comfortable accepting “women aren’t applying” as a...

BOW VALLEY COLLEGE

TRANSFORMING THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE THROUGH DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY

Bow Valley College has been an access college since 1965, earning a reputation for fast-paced programs that quickly respond to the practical needs of adult students and our economy. On May 16, 2023, the College launched a new Digital Strategy, which outlines how technology will enhance the student experience, improve...

CDL ROCKIES

ACCELERATES THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF EARLY-STAGE VENTURES

There is an economic transformation underway in Alberta and Creative Destruction Lab – Rockies (“CDL-Rockies”) is playing an important role in that transformation. CDL-Rockies is focused on accelerating the commercial potential of the next generation of promising science- and technology-based ventures across a variety of sectors, including energy and agriculture....

WILD + PINE

NOT OUR FIRST RODEO

At the height of the energy boom, Wild + Pine was created to help restore, reclaim, and conserve some of Alberta’s most challenging and remote landscapes across the industry. Something they do well, but regenerating Canada’s great boreal forest isn’t for the faint of heart. Today, Wild + Pine develops...

HEALTH CITIES

HEALTH CITIES-IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF ALBERTANS THROUGH INNOVATION

IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF ALBERTANS THROUGH INNOVATION

Globally, healthcare is being disrupted, akin to the disruption we witnessed in media and transportation, and digital health is leading the charge. While Canada lags its peers in health outcomes and health system performance, Alberta’s areas of strength – artificial intelligence, Internet of Things and immersive technologies – can be...

VizworX

VizworX - Creating Visibly Better Enterprise Software Solutions Through Advanced Technology

Creating Visibly Better Enterprise Software Solutions Through Advanced Technology

Delivering enterprise-class digital experiences, VizworX is an advanced software solutions services company. Leveraging the latest in augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, complex data visualization, web and mobile technologies and techniques, VizworX supports several industries around the world by turning complex data into easily understandable and actionable information. We enable...

BRITT RADIUS

When People, Land & Compliance Matter

Our company was established in 1986 during a difficult recession. Grit, determination, and an unwavering pursuit to reimagine what is possible, has gotten us to where we are today. Our ability to consider our role as a company, as leaders, and as a team in relation to the industries we...

Edmonton Regional Innovation Network

Connecting and Building a Sustainable Innovation Ecosystem

The Edmonton Regional Innovation Network (ERIN) is a coalition of organisations in the Edmonton region that helps entrepreneurs start and grow innovative businesses. The ERIN aims to create a Regional Innovation Network that is accessible, inclusive of diverse thoughts and ways of doing, and meets the needs of the innovation...

HUNTER HUB FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKING

THE HUNTER FAMILY & THE CREATION OF THE HUNTER HUB

THE HISTORY OF THE HUNTER HUB FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKINGThe Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking was founded in 2017 with a $40 million donation from the Hunter Family Foundation, marking one of the largest donations in the University of Calgary’s history. The Hunter Hub’s purpose is to spread entrepreneurial thinking throughout...

RAINFOREST ALBERTA

Building the framework for tech and innovation in Alberta

RAINFOREST ALBERTA IS ROOTED IN AN ANALOGYAlthough the cold, dry climate of Alberta might not seem to have much in common with the Rainforest, our innovation ecosystem sure does. This connection is explored in the book: “The Rainforest: The Secret to Building the Next Silicon Valley” by Greg Horowitt and...

WOOD BUFFALO REGIONAL INNOVATION NETWORK

There’s no better time and place to get started with the Wood Buffalo Regional Innovation Network

The Wood Buffalo Regional Innovation Network (WBRIN) was born of a need to connect business support organizations in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo to each other, as well as entrepreneurs in the region and Alberta. It is a network of six organizations in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo, who occupy the roles...

AVATAR

THERE IS A NEW ENERGY FUTURE. LET’S GO BUILD IT.

LEADERSHIP. COLLABORATION. CAPITAL. IT’S HOW WE’RE TURNING ENERGY TRANSITION INTO A MASSIVE OPPORTUNITY.Avatar was born from the simple premise that solutions to the complex challenges of climate change and energy transition must come from within the energy industry. By working inside incumbent heavy industry, Avatar Innovations unlocks industry validated solutions...

STELLAR GAME ASSETS

STEP UP YOUR GAME

If you love video games, you may have thought about making one. So, what’s stopping you? Ten years ago, the answer likely would have been the industry itself. Video games were typically produced only by studios with enough capital to house the entire game creation pipeline. And that pipeline was...

KPMG

Empowering Alberta’s Future Through Technology, Innovation and Collaboration

KPMG in Canada is proud to have been serving clients in Alberta for over 100 years. Today, they have one of the largest professional services firms in the province, providing Audit, Tax, and Advisory services to public and private businesses. Their depth and diversity of experience and local presence are...

THE AGENCY

HELPING CALGARY INNOVATORS TELL THEIR STORY

“When I started The Agency in 2009 as a boutique firm servicing the tech sector in Calgary, I heard the same thing over and over: What tech sector?” — Arleigh Vasconcellos, CEO/Founder, The Agency Communications Inc Calgary is one of the fastest growing tech centres in North America, and The...

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The Publisher

Brahm Glickman

Technology and innovation have always been, and continue to be, the driving force behind Brahm’s entrepreneurial success. His passion for the printed word and image has enabled him to transcend his sales experience to the publishing industry. Being an Associate Publisher with Global Village World is the perfect culmination of Brahm’s business experience and his... click to read more

The Publisher

Brahm Glickman

Technology and innovation have always been, and continue to be, the driving force behind Brahm’s entrepreneurial success. His passion for the printed word and image has enabled him to transcend his sales experience to the publishing industry. Being an Associate Publisher with Global Village World is the perfect culmination of Brahm’s business experience and his... click to read more

Other Ecosystems