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 ecosystem. The ERIN strives to be accessible – while recognising that accessibility is different for everyone, diverse in the voices it brings to the table, transparent, accountable for the resources entrusted, and collaborative. The organisation’s aspirations are high, but how these aspirations are accomplished is simple. This is concisely articulated in its goals to:
- Meaningfully connect the ecosystem by guiding innovation companies to opportunities that match their assessed Business Level.
- Build a sustainable Regional Innovation Network by developing and implementing a long-term governance model and succession plan.
- Build trust in the innovation community with accessible and transparent front-facing processes and systems.
FOSTERING GROWTH THROUGH PROGRAMMING
The ERIN support the Edmonton innovation ecosystem by funding the following programs being offered by Edmonton Unlimited:
Experts on Demand
This program matches growth-stage companies with accredited experts who provide these companies with one hundred hours of one on one industry specific business advising on operational topics.
Post-Secondary Institutions
o Post-Secondary Institution (PSI) Executive in Residence
Staff, students, and alumni of Edmonton’s post-secondary schools interested in building a technology-based company can access the support of an Executive in Residence on campus. Executives in Residence are business experts who encourage a culture of entrepreneurship in Edmonton’s post-secondary institutions. These individuals also assist with commercialising research and innovation and the hosting of events and presentations.
o Post-Secondary Institution (PSI) Business Development Support (BDS) program
Staff, students, and alumni can also access business development support through the PSI Business Development Support (BDS) program which jointly falls under Expert on Demand and the Post-Secondary Institutions programs.
Edmonton Unlimited Foundations Workshops
o Business Model 101
Participants use Lean Canvas to help them map out and validate their ideas. A core belief of this program is that a solid foundation will set businesses up for success.
o Discover and Validate
Once participants have fine-tuned their business model, the next step on their journey through the Startup Edmonton program is Discover and Validate where participants are taught the basics of user research and product refinement.
EDMONTON UNLIMITED PROGRAMS
Preflight
o Build, Test, and Learn
Entrepreneurs are guided through assembling and testing their minimum viable product so that they can refine and validate their ideas.
Market, Sell, and Pitch
This program helps entrepreneurs craft how they are going to talk about their product or services to maximise customer appeal. Participants dive into marketing, sales, and the basics of investment and pitching.
Propel
This is a twelve-week pre-accelerator geared towards the more established entrepreneur wanting to solidify their business foundations or are preparing to apply for accelerators, seeking investments, and looking to increase their revenue.
o More information about the above funded ERIN programs may be found at www.edmontonunlimited.com/programs.
COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY
In addition to funding ecosystem development programs, the ERIN supports Edmonton ecosystem through its Community Initiatives grant. This grant gives for-profit and non-profit organisations access to funding to support programs aimed at growing the Edmonton innovation ecosystem. Applicants are usually awarded between $500-$10,000 per initiative per funding year. More information about the Community Initiatives grant may be found at https://www.edmontonrin.ca/ community-initiatives.
Finally, the ERIN engages its membership through its bi-weekly newsletters and monthly membership meetings where businesses are given the forum to network and celebrate successes. The monthly meeting also offers value added content, through guest speakers and presentations, on key topics of interest to the Edmonton ecosystem.
The Edmonton RIN is a dedicated organisation, that is powered by volunteers from organisations like the Alberta Women’s Entrepreneurs, Black Business Ventures, Technology Alberta, and Edmonton Unlimited. This sets the ERIN apart from other like organisations as the commitment to developing the Edmonton ecosystem is not powered by financial gain. The members of the Steering Committee and Sub-Committees are all champions who genuinely care about entrepreneurs, and they are working tirelessly to position Edmonton for growth and diversify Alberta’s economy.
