2021 continues to provide challenges, but also many, many new opportunities for Alberta Tech Companies. Whether it is additional MiTACS student funding, new Alberta-wide Accelerator RFP’s, Alberta local RIN AGM’s, or of course Technology Alberta’s own FIRST Jobs program round 2 about to start it’s next round – Government, Academia, and grass-roots organizations are working together to provide Alberta entrepreneurs visibility, Access to Talent, and Capital - to help fuel Alberta’s Tech Sector to continue the exciting growth that it has shown so far this year.
Also special thanks to our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Members – a truly dedicated and passionate group of professionals that have great expertise in technical and business matters, and delivering it all with EDI principles in mind https://technologyalberta.com/index.php/our-advisories: Members include: Joanne Fedeyko – CEO Connection Silicon Valley, Founder Canadian Women’s Network; Cody Lowry – Director Chandos, North America’s largest B-Corp Certified Contractor, Alicia Bjarnason, PGeol, MA, CCIP – Past-President, Alberta Women’s Science Network (AWSN). EDI Specialist; and many others. Interested? Please send us a note, we would love to welcome more advisors – or provide any advice you may need.
In this newsletter – in addition to all the announcements of strong Alberta tech company funding and sector growth, be sure not to miss the opportunities such as:
Inventures Startup Pitch Event – Apply by May 14! The Inventures 2021 international startup pitch competition is happening September 22-24, live in Calgary. Pitch finalists will receive free registration to the Inventures conference, access to professional coaching and a chance to WIN $10,000 in funding! Startups will also receive tons of exposure to investors from around the globe. APPLY NOW
Monthly Rainforest Connectors: Tuesday May 18 4:30-6:00PMAlberta Product Management Panel - Join a cross-sector product veteran session co-hosted by David Ferris (Senior PM @ Jobber, Director @ Product Edmonton, <www.getjobber.com - Field Contract Services Billing Software> Director @ Calgary Associate Product Manager Program) and Product Managers from: Showbie www.showbie.com – Education; AlphaLayer alphalayer.ai – Financial; DiveThru divethru.com - Mental Wellness. Learn how this important role can accelerate the success of your company, by providing robust competitive products and scalable customer satisfaction.RegisterHERE
Tuesday, June 15 4:30PM: Alberta Entrepreneurs - Part of the New BioMaterials Economy
In closing - as always, we are interested in your input. Do you have ideas on how to make things better for Alberta Tech Entrepreneurs? Contact us – and we would be pleased to listen, collaborate and connect.
Thanks everyone - and looking forward to seeing and hearing from you - soon.
SECTION 1: SPOTLIGHT ON ALBERTA TECH STRENGTH - IN JOBS:
FEATURED ABTECH 3000 COMPANIES
Technology Alberta is pleased to provide visibility to the many Alberta SMB (Small-to-Medium-sized Businesses) technology companies that collectively are hiring for 3000 new positions this year. In each monthly newsletter Edmonton, Calgary, and additional urban and rural centres’ Tech Companies are highlighted - for a total of over 300 Alberta companies over the year.
Founded in 2017, 48Hour Discovery (48HD) is a Canadian biotechnology company with headquarters in Edmonton, AB and satellite sites in San Diego, California and Seoul, South Korea. The 48HD genetically-encoded platform technology offers rapid discovery of pharmaceutical leads in the peptide / macrocycle therapeutic space.
Absorb is a cloud-based learning management system (LMS) engineered to inspire learning and fuel business productivity. Our online learning platform combines forward-thinking technology built to scale as your organization grows, with superb customer service rarely seen in the LMS space. By empowering amazing learning experiences, Absorb LMS engages learners, fuels content retention and elevates training programs. Whether you're training employees, global channel partners, customers or selling your own training content, we're confident Absorb LMS is the best LMS to power your success.
At Addos, our mission is to be the most innovative and forward-thinking Controls and Automation firm in Canada. We have worked hard to establish a widespread reputation and our services enable us to provide optimized production and reduced costs by identifying and fixing inefficiencies.
In addition to providing innovation in Controls, Addos conducts its own Research & Software Development with the ultimate goal of enabling facilities to reduce costs, optimize equipment & process and reduce operating risk in order to create a safer work environment.
Open Jobs:
Junior Software Developer - Edmonton, AB AGvisorPRO Category: Agriculture
AGvisorPRO core product team is focussed on building the core technology in our two sided marketplace. The product we are building will allow farmers to simply ask a question and our system will match them with experts who can answer it. The team is focussed on improving the experiences of the knowledge seekers, expert advisors, and our industry sponsored experts. The core product team is responsible for developing the main revenue generating product for AGvisorPRO.
Open Jobs:
Backend Developer - Calgary, ABAlphaLayer Category: Investment Management
AlphaLayer is focused on driving innovations across all areas of the investment management industry from back to front-office by building solutions that drive operational efficiencies, generate innovations in risk management, and create unique sources of investment returns. These solutions are delivered internally at AIMCo as well as commercialized more broadly to other firms in the industry, both in the Canadian and US market
Open Jobs:
Artificial Intelligence Engineer - Edmonton, ABArcurve Inc Category: IT
Arcurve is one of North America’s leading full-service technology, advisory and software development companies. In 2006, we began with a belief that there was a better way to deliver professional services in the technology industry. Since then we have completed more than 700 projects for clients ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. From our offices in Calgary, Halifax, Houston and Vancouver we deliver exceptional results for our clients in a diverse range of industries including telecommunications, oil and gas, transportation, private equity, gaming, infrastructure, software, financial and hospitality.
Open Jobs:
Machine Learning Operations (MLOps)- Calgary, AB Belca Soft Corporation Category: Energy
Belca Soft Corporation is a management consulting and software development company based in Calgary, Alberta. We use our extensive expertise in oil & gas industry to provide qualified consulting services in a timely and professional manner at the same time maximizing customer value. We quickly discovered a lack of functionality needed by the Oilfield Industry and addressed those needs. Since the company’s establishment we’ve solved a bunch of real businesses problems and delivered efficient software solutions that enforce the day to day operations of our clients.
Cazeen Resource Management is a Recruiting, Information Technology and Management Consulting firm that provides services to customers in a variety of industries.
Open Jobs:
Software Engineer – Edmonton, ABDiscover Coding Category: Education
Discover Coding empowers children, aged 5 and up, to be digital leaders of tomorrow. We strive to combine sound educational methodology and industry knowledge to create engaging and progressive programs to nurture kids interests in creating with technology. We believe computer science and coding are fundamental knowledge for the 21st century, and that every child should have a chance to learn about algorithms, computers, and creating apps
Open Jobs:
Marketing Specialist - Edmonton
Educator and Curriculum Developer - Edmonton
Instructors - EdmontonEngineered Intelligence Inc Category: Utilities, AI/Analytics
Embracing and controlling uncertainty is a must for the utility industry. In order to plan for future work, providers must conduct investment planning and outcome forecasting that includes detailed plans for asset management, while also recognizing and assessing data maturity, and project allocations and completions.
Open Jobs:
Intermediate Software Developer - Calgary, AB Fourien Inc Category: Measurement Instruments
Fourien Inc. was started with an aim to develop advanced technology for nano scale, low cost and rapid diagnostics and analytical measurements of expensive reagents, commonly used in industries such as biotech, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, agriculture. Currently, our main focus is to develop solutions for biotech and pharmaceuticals applications but our instruments and sensors can be customized to other industries as well. In order to deliver state of the art solutions, we incorporate advanced facilities for nanofabrication, product design, electronics assembly and instrument testing.
Originally, the company was started as a success story from the lab of Prof. Thomas Thundat at the University of Alberta (Edmonton) Canada. The early research on microfluidic MEMS and instrumentation was supported by Prof. Thundat through his Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) Program. Currently, the company is based in Pylypow Industrial area in Edmonton.
At Harvest, our vision is to create an epicentre for innovation and technology across the Canadian Prairies. Headquartered in Calgary's East Village, our team helps remove the barriers to launching and scaling up ventures so that together we can grow meaningful, globally-competitive companies.
Whether we are building a venture from scratch or helping solve a specific business challenge, companies and founders that partner with Harvest gain access to world-class builder services and industry experts who know what it takes to successfully launch and scale new ventures.
Open Jobs:
Sr. Software Developer - Backend Services – Chestermere, AB
Hölmetrics was born out of a deep desire to provide everyone with a healthy, life-giving place to work. Our work, and the environment in which we come to it, should both provide a conduit for our purpose as human beings and give us more life than it takes from us at the end of the day. It is built on the foundational belief that organizational performance directly correlates to our people’s well-being. Healthy employees will perform better and more consistently than unhealthy employees.
Our focus on value creation and client success has brought us together at Integra with a big mission to accelerate the adoption of AI/ML in the Oil & Gas industry.
Open Jobs:
Full Stack Engineer - Calgary, AB
Data Scientist - Calgary, AB
We offer AI consulting and product development for all industries, helping you leverage artificial intelligence to make confident, informed decisions that propel your business forward.
Open Jobs:
Junior Data Scientist – Calgary, ABKinetisense Category: Health/Fitness, AI
Kinetisense has created a proprietary motion capture engine that has been University validated to be one of the most accurate systems on the market. Kinetisense 360 adds the power of Artificial Intelligence to the already robust Kinetisense platform.
mcThings provides businesses with access into the world of the Internet of Things with products that are affordable, easy to manage and highly scalable.
For over 35 years, OPI has provided leading-edge grain management solutions to the worldwide marketplace. OPI has empowered over 25,000 farm and commercial customers in over 75 countries to effectively manage their grain in storage and prevent losses.
OPI is proud of the contributions it’s made to the agricultural industry in Canada and around the world in its 30-year history. Its ongoing commitment to advancing grain storage management has yielded numerous innovations to help farmers and agribusinesses protect and optimize the value of their stored grain assets.
PulseMedica is an Edmonton-based company developing a medical device to treat retinal eye diseases that affect over 400 million people worldwide. Our device consists of a state-of-the-art 3D imaging and surgical platform that allows for comprehensive patient treatment including machine learning based disease detection, surgical planning, surgical treatment, and post-surgery evaluation.
With current laser technology we will offer radically more precise treatment for wet-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy. With our next generation femtosecond laser technology, we will be offering surgical treatment for dry-stage AMD, a condition for which treatment is unavailable.
Open Jobs:
Machine Learning Engineer – Edmonton, ABQuantifi Category: Financial, AI
We approach things a little differently. We use predictive analytics, artificial intelligence and other data to create personalized loans. Even though we use technology for the best service possible, we see car buyers as more than just a number.
Open Jobs:
Senior Machine Learning Engineer - Calgary, AB QuirkLogic Inc Category: Office Devices
QuirkLogic, Inc. is a creative company that believes in thinking differently. We look to identify everyday problems that need new technological advances. We create new innovative solutions that address these market gaps. For us that means creating technologies that don’t currently exist and that’s pretty cool.
Open Jobs:
Software Developer - Intermediate - Calgary, AB
RevSolz’s single screen visualization & analytics featured software, FracSol, will power up monitoring that integrates sophisticated, automated algorithms for real-time evaluation and identification of FDIs (Fracture Driven Interactions).
Open Jobs:
Junior Data Scientist – Calgary, ABSeisWare Category: Energy
Over 20 years ago, a couple of software developers and a couple of geoscientists shared some common goals. They wanted to run a company that developed innovative software for the energy industry, provided exceptional customer support and was a fun place to work. They accomplished these goals, and they continue to lead and grow the company with this same vision.
Showbie combines all of the essential tools for assignments, feedback and communication in one beautiful, easy-to-use app. This means less time spent struggling with your tech setup, and more time for teaching and learning. Showbie keeps you and your students on the same page, whether you’re using your iPad, iPhone, or pretty much any computer or device with an internet connection.
Open Jobs:
People Experience Coordinator - Edmonton, ABSilver Creek Software Ltd Category: Business Intelligence
Since 1998, Silver Creek Software has delivered our expertise in business intelligence, analytics and data integration services, developing a reputation for a higher standard of service, product delivery and client engagement. Our approach to BI and data roadmaps identifies high-value business outcomes, levers an agile delivery and creates value.
We align the best BI and data solutions to your business needs and goals.
Coupled with an unmatched commitment, our skilled staff bring multifaceted technical expertise to meet your business challenges. As individuals and as a team, we attain the highest productivity and performance to deliver excellence.
Open Jobs:
Azure Data Engineer – Edmonton, AB
Thirdstream Inc Category: FinTech
Thirdstream helps financial institutions improve the account opening experience. Whether in-branch or online, our clients seek solutions tailored to the needs and expectations of the modern consumer
Thirdstream provides digital identity verification and account opening, online and in-branch, available anywhere, anytime, on any device.
Open Jobs:
Senior Software Developer – Lethbridge, ABUptake Canada, Inc Category: Industrial AI
Uptake is an Industrial AI company with a unique collection of proven data science models, deep industry expertise and a comprehensive library of industrial asset data. Together, our products empower you with new knowledge that can rapidly improve business performance, optimize spending and reduce operational risk
Open Jobs:
Full Stack Software Engineer – Edmonton, Chicago, Remote
Each optometry practice functions differently and has individual needs. At Visual-Eyes, we believe in equipping your office with a flexible software solution designed to meet those needs. Our modular system allows you to select only the features that best suit your practice.
As your practice grows and evolves, new modules can easily be added to facilitate a more efficient work flow and a better patient experience. With the help of your dedicated practice consultant, even the most technologically challenged users can familiarize themselves with each module.
Simply put, Visual-Eyes offers easy and efficient practice management systems customized to meet the exact needs of your practice.
Open Jobs:
Customer Service & Technical Support Agent – Red Deer, ABWillowglen Systems Inc Category: Industrial AI
Founded in 1971 and headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Willowglen’s mission is to be a global leader in delivering visionary, customer-driven industrial automation solutions. With an international track record of project success across multiple industries, customers trust Willowglen’s experience in developing reliable and cost-effective solutions for their mission-critical challenges.
Open Jobs:
Software Development Manager - Edmonton, AB
JEDDI: JOBS IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, DIVERSIFICATION, AND INNOVATION
Technology Alberta is excited to announce the new ABTEC-JEDDI (Alberta Technology Jobs furthering Economic Development, Diversification, and Innovation), which are open positions in Government, Academia, and Large Industry that can help transform Alberta’s economy.
We’ve invested in advanced AI research for decades. Now, we’re here to steer your company to the best path forward to adopt these breakthroughs.
We partner with companies of all sizes, across industries, to drive innovation strategy and provide practical guidance and advice, corporate training and talent recruitment services. The true potential of AI is unlocked when you build internal capabilities, and that’s where we excel.
At ATB Financial, we put people first. We've been doing it for more than 80 years. In that time, we've grown and changed from one small Treasury Branch to become the largest Alberta-based financial institution, with assets of nearly $55.6 billion. Along the way, we’ve transformed people’s understanding of what banking can–and should–make possible. And we’re just getting started.
Open Jobs:
Director, Data Science – Calgary, AB
Senior DevOps Architect – Calgary, AB
ATCO Ltd Category: Electricity Generation and Distribution
With diverse products and services across many industries, we are one-stop provider of integrated energy, housing, transportation and infrastructure solutions. We provide customers with innovative, sustainable solutions in the sectors that are fundamental to global growth and prosperity: housing, real estate, energy, water, transportation and agriculture. From the delivery of efficient and reliable energy for homes, businesses and communities, to affordable temporary and permanent buildings, we build communities, energize industries and deliver customer-focused solutions like no other company in the world.
Open Jobs:
Senior Software Engineer, Payment Authentication – Edmonton, AB
Alberta Women Entrepreneurs Category: Marketing
At Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) we believe that our economies and communities are stronger when women are full participants in entrepreneurship. Since 1995, AWE has been providing tools and resources to help women across the province succeed in starting or growing a business. For more than twenty-five years we have connected women with access to capital, training and workshops, business advising, and mentorship opportunities.
Over time, we have grown and adapted to the ever-evolving needs of women entrepreneurs in Alberta. In addition to our start-up programs and services, we also provide support to women looking to grow their businesses and expand into new markets.
Whether you are just getting started, or ready to accelerate your success, AWE is here to help every step of the way.
Cybera is Alberta's not-for-profit organization, responsible for driving economic growth through the use of digital technology.
Our core role is to oversee the development and operations of Alberta’s cyberinfrastructure – the advanced system of networks and computers that keep government, educators, not-for-profits, and entrepreneurs at the forefront of technological change.
Finning is the world's largest Caterpillar dealer delivering unrivalled service for over 85 years. We sell, rent and provide parts and service for equipment and engines to customers in various industries, including mining, construction, petroleum, forestry and a wide range of power systems applications.
Open Jobs:
Applications Analyst – Edmonton, AB
Honeywell International IncCategory: Electromedical and Control Instruments Manufacturing
We have been innovating for more than 100 years – and now we’re creating what’s next.
Open Jobs:
Software Engineer Manager – Calgary, AB
IBM Category: Computer Hardware & Software
IBMers believe in progress—that the application of intelligence, reason and science can improve business, society and the human condition
Open Jobs:
Machine Learning Developer Interm – Calgary, AB
Shaw Communications Inc Category: Wired Telecommunications Carriers
Shaw is a leading Canadian telecommunications company focused on connecting its customers to the world through a best-in-class, seamless connectivity experience.
Open Jobs:
Enterprise Architect (ERP) – Alberta
Siemens Corporation Category: Electromedical and Control Instruments Manufacturing
Siemens is a technology company centered on the industries that form the backbone of economies – manufacturing, infrastructure, and transport.
Our technology empowers our customers to transform their industries - to create more agile and productive factories, more intelligent and efficient buildings and grids, more sustainable transit.
Open Jobs:
Linux Software Developer – Calgary, AB
Square, Inc. Category: Software
So we’re building easy tools to empower and enrich people. Tools that shorten the distance between having an idea and making a living from it—because we believe in fair and square.
We started with a little white card reader but haven’t stopped there. Our new reader helps our sellers accept contactless cards, chip credit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Our Point of Sale app lets sellers keep track of their inventory, employees and customers, so they can make smarter decisions.
We’re empowering the electrician to send invoices, helping the clothing boutique see what’s selling best, and providing the coffee chain with customizable gift cards.
We’re here to help sellers of all sizes start, run, and grow their business—because helping them grow their business is good business for everyone.
Open Jobs:
Senior Software Engineer, Payment Authentication – Edmonton, AB
TELUS Corporation Category: Wireless Telecommunications Carriers
At TELUS, we’re building a better future for all Canadians by using our technology for good and giving back to our communities. Our social purpose is at the heart of everything we do as a world-leading technology company and continues to set us apart. Together, let's make the future friendly.
Open Jobs:
DevOps Data Engineers, Data Analyst/Engineer, Data Analysts – Edmonton, AB
Find out how to participate in the first ever cohort of the Canadian E-Commerce Accelerator for China.
The Canadian E-Commerce Accelerator for China is a 7-week pilot program that aims to prepare high potential Canadian SMEs to further their business strategy to position and sell their products through e-commerce in China. Participants will receive:
A deeper understanding of opportunities and market considerations/risks when entering China through ecommerce, including IP and regulatory.
Insight from Canadian and Chinese experts, along with SMEs that are already navigating the market.
A customized market assessment.
An opportunity to pitch their brand to China market specialists.
The application deadline is May 23rd and the program will run from June – July 2021. See the detailed brochure here and download the application form here.
Data Science 101 Series: Machine Learning with Python
In this 2-day workshop, we will dive into the basics of machine learning using Python. Participants will be able to identify which technique they need to apply for a particular dataset and need, engineer features to meet that need, and write python code to train a machine learning model on the data
Date: Thursday, May 6, 2021 and Thursday, May 13, 2021 (2 workshops) Time: 5:30 – 7:30 pm MT for both workshops Format: Virtual
The Alberta IoT Association is a nonprofit consisting of organizations with a vested interest in the success of the Internet of Things in the province of Alberta. Our mission is to position Alberta as the worldwide center of excellence for the Internet of Things technology.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Monthly Member Meeting - May
Upcoming AWE Events!
Live Chat with Vivian Riley, RenovationFind
Join our Financing Specialist, Amber Hall for a conversation with Vivian Riley, COO of RenovationFind. We will discuss what inspired Vivian to become an entrepreneur, the impact COVID-19 has had on her business, and how finding capital ia a major challenge for women entrepreneurs. At the end of the session, we will host a Q&A.
The live chat will take place on Instagram, make sure to follow AWE to have access.
Friday, May 7
1:30 - 2:00 PM
Content Marketing 101
Not exactly sure what content marketing is? In this interactive workshop, we will explore how to blend strategy and storytelling to create content that helps drive revenue. You don’t need any prior knowledge for this workshop.
You will learn:
The marketing foundation you need to establish before you begin creating content
How to communicate your expertise and the value of your products and services
How to strategically create content for various types of buyers
Thursday, May 13
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM RegisterLet's Start Your Business Plan- A 3 Part Webinar Series
If you have a specific business idea, or you’ve been in business for a few years but have never written a business plan, this series is for you. These sessions introduce you to the essential components of a good business plan.
Each session will help you move forward in your business with confidence starting with learning how to conduct informative market research for your business, outlining a basic marketing strategy to reach your best customer, and exploring how to create financial plans that will support business viability.
May 17, 18 & 19
12:00 - 1:30 PM (each day) RegisterWe’ve Always Done It This Way- Creative Disruption and AI for Business
Companies have been repeatedly bombarded during the past year with advice to “pivot, pivot, pivot!" Many successful small and medium business owners have struggled with incorporating digital transformation into their already successful business models. This online session will cover the introductory concepts and theory including:
How to design a digital transformation roadmap
What is a transformation audit
The importance of culture in change management
How to determine which AI service providers are best suited to your business
Thursday, May 20
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM RegisterAWE Loan Program Information Session
Finding financial support for your business can be difficult. Alberta Women Entrepreneurs wants to help you start, enhance, and grow your business.
Join us in our AWE Loan Program Information Session! Our Financing Specialists will walk you through:
What is the AWE Loan Program
Basic eligibility to apply
What expenses AWE can and cannot finance
How AWE’s loan program differs from other lenders
Application process
Tuesday, May 25
11:00 AM -12:00 PM RegisterIndigenous Women Entrepreneurs: Are you Ready for Entrepreneurship?
Are you an Indigenous woman who is ready to take her business idea to the next step? Starting and creating your own business is life-changing, and it can be fun, exciting and challenging.
The topics for discussion include:
What is my vision?
Is running a business truly for me?
Where can I find the information I need to develop a plan?
An Invitation to the first-ever University of Alberta Digital
Innovation Showcase
The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR), Future Energy Systems, Graduate Students' Association (GSA), Science To Business (S2BN) Edmonton Chapter, and the University of Alberta Alumni are coming together to launch the Innovation Showcase and Connect Events.
Researchers from all disciplines will present virtual posters through Twitter, sharing knowledge and breakthroughs in an accessible format, and engaging with fellow researchers, members of the public, industry, and more.
The University of Alberta's Inaugural Digital Innovation Showcase is open to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows and will launch on Monday, May 10, 2021, at noon and expect presenters actively tweeting until 2:00 p.m. MT. Posters will be available until Friday, May 14, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. MT. We encourage you to "drop in" and engage the presenters over the week
We look forward to your tweets at #UAlbertaInnovationShowcase and for a further breakdown, we have added subcategories that best capture the research domain of the poster:
#UAlbertaInnovationShowcaseHealth - medicine; health
Is your workplace ready to embrace the era of digital transformation?
How do you successfully increase collaboration, effectiveness and productivity in a hybrid work environment? Find out how at the upcoming:
Digital Collaboration Summit
Transform, Evolve, Connect May 12-13
Keep business moving forward equipped with faster, smarter decision making skills and the best collaboration tools to get the job done.
We have a stacked line-up of international industry leaders, and two incredible keynote speakers (take a look!), and will host a showcase of SMART latest innovations for the workplace to make sure you have the right skillset and tools to adapt and innovate. There will be sessions highlighting artificial intelligence, collaborative concepts like remote selling, creativity, problem solving and innovation.
WIN $10,000 IN INVENTURE$ STARTUP PITCH COMPETITION
Inventures 2021 is 72 hours of nonstop creative collisions. From awe-inspiring keynotes and expert panels, to thrilling startup pitches and informal networking. Make connections, strike deals and launch creative ideas into overdrive!
PITCH YOUR WAY TO $10K
Startup Pitch Event – Apply by May 14!
Get your application in now for the Inventures 2021 international startup pitch competition, happening September 22-24, live in Calgary. Don’t miss this opportunity to get in front of some major-league VCs and angel investors!
Pitch finalists will receive free registration to the Inventures conference, access to professional coaching and a chance to WIN $10,000 in funding! Startups will also receive tons of exposure to investors from around the globe.
Applications are open for startups focused on the following categories:
• Innovation of Work
• AgTech Meets BioTech
• The AI Datasphere
• Co-Designing Healthier Living
• Building Adaptive Communities
• Net-Zero Emissions Energy
It’s FREE to apply! The deadline is May 14 - don't wait!
Global Innovation Summit 2021 - Exploring new perspectives
In a changing world, the brave take the path of uncertainty to explore, innovate and create. Their journey goes onwards and upwards, as ideas grow and evolve and challenges change perspectives, processes and principles.
This year the Global Innovation Summit is focused on the topics of green transition, digital transformation and post COVID-19.
Are you in the business of innovation?
Are you looking to collaborate globally?
Are you at the scale up point in your business cycle?
Right now Alberta has a shortage of experienced software product managers, and the role has been getting a lot more attention!
The April Rainforest Connector will focus on Software Product Management. But what does a product manager actually do? When should a company think about adding one? With the talent market being so competitive how can you make sure you find one that will help your product be successful? Join 4 product veterans in a deep dive into all of the above, and bring your questions!
Panelists
Morgan Patzelt , Senior Product Manager at Showbie
CRIN Digital Oil and Gas Technology Competition Launch
Identify breakthrough digital technology solutions that address environmental and economic challenges in Canada’s oil and gas sector.
This May 18, you’re invited to the launch of the Digital Oil and Gas Technology Competition offered by the Clean Resource Innovation Network (CRIN). This competition asks innovators from across the country to identify breakthrough digital technology solutions that address environmental and economic challenges in Canada’s oil and gas sector.
We’re looking for digital technology solutions in one or more of the following focus areas:
Headlines over the past year illustrating the health risks to frontline workers — from grocery clerks to meat-packers to sex workers — have shone a spotlight on the need to better protect marginalized communities. Could entrepreneurship be used as a social innovation tool to carve out a safe space?
Join assistant professor Madeline Toubiana to learn how entrepreneurship might be used to support social change. Find out how self-driven business opportunities can support destigmatization and empower marginalized communities, including women, transgender individuals, immigrants, refugees, the disabled, youth, sex workers, formerly incarcerated people and others.
This event, led by Tableau, will cover an introduction and basic overview of Tableau, how it’s applied in industry, and a hands-on session. Attendees will be able to follow along with the instructor in creating dashboards and charts, and using datasets in Tableau. No previous experience or background in data science is required
Speaker: Vanessa Tam - Student Ambassador, Tableau
As Edmonton’s first and best startup awards, we’re here to recognize outstanding individuals and companies and show YOU a good time!
The YEG Startup Community Awards are an entrepreneur-led, volunteer-run, and community-centric initiative to recognize the brilliant work that's being done in our city. The awards bring our community together and celebrate the accomplishments of our boldest risk-takers. We're all about embracing diversity, recognizing hard work, and not taking ourselves too seriously. Join us as we cheer on the amazing individuals, companies, and events that drive innovation in Edmonton.
Institute of Health Economics | Life Sciences SME Market Access Program
Support for market-ready life sciences companies in obtaining initial market access in a jurisdiction of interest, where the company, together with the IHE as a named economic partner, is in an improved position to engage with a procuring health system and prepare the adoption case for new technology.
The IHE Life Sciences Market Access Program supports Alberta-based life sciences companies with promising, market-ready healthcare technology that are currently seeking market access in Alberta or beyond. Support includes the development of an economic model to quantify the adoption case for procurement, as well as an Evidence Development Plan to guide collection of data from on-market routine clinical use in order to update model assumptions and strengthen the economic evidence to support further market access opportunities.
With funding support from Western Economic Diversification and the Alberta Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Innovation, the Institute of Health Economics (IHE) is pleased to release a Call for Expressions of Interest (see link below) from organizations that would like to participate in a project intended to strengthen their market access opportunity.
Interested organizations are encouraged to download and review the Call for Expressions of Interest and submit a response to innovation@ihe.ca. The IHE is currently recruiting for the next cohort of companies.
A limited number of spaces are available and interested organizations should submit their Expression of Interest by May 21, 2021.
More info & access to Call for Expressions of Interest: HERE
Join MentorUP and Monika Rao as you learn how to develop and execute your elevator pitch!
Have you ever wondered how to explain your job to people who don’t know what you do? Do you get nervous about what to say when introducing yourself to new people? Let MentorUP and Monika Rao teach you how to develop and execute your elevator pitch!
An elevator pitch is exactly what it sounds like – a pitch or introduction about yourself designed to take no longer than an elevator ride.
Speaker : Monika Rao
EVENT DETAILS Date : Wednesday, May 26, 2021 Time : 6 PM - 7:30 PM MDT Location: Online Event
Do you know an individual, team or company inspiring innovation in Alberta, paving the way for leaders of tomorrow or developing amazing products or research? Bring their work to the forefront of Alberta's innovation community and help them receive the recognition their hard work deserves. NOMINATE them for a 2021 ASTech Award!
Looking to uplevel your management game?
8 Pillars of Frontline Management Program can help you do just that!
THERE'S STILL TIME TO REGISTER YOUR TEAM!
Our Front-Line Management training program is developed to give high-potential employees a clear roadmap to develop the skills, knowledge, and experiences to be effective managers, especially in today's changing world.
Program Perks
Utilizes Harrison Assessment Talent Solutions to identify top traits for emerging leaders
Eight online modules over eight weeks, one-on-one online coaching sessions every two weeks and weekly discussions held live at the end of each module with a facilitator
Total of twenty-eight hours of online learning, eight hours of online group training with a facilitator
20th Annual Conference: Co-creating Economic Recovery: New Models for Innovation Support
The 20th annual Research Money conference will engage international and domestic experts in critical and constructive dialogue about how countries like Canada support innovation and how the present COVID-19 crisis has galvanized better approaches and outcomes. Are current funding models adequate to address global challenges like this pandemic and climate change? What new kinds of partnerships are emerging between governments, industry, finance and academia?
EVENT DETAILS Date: June 1 - 4, 2021 Time: Various over 4 days
National WIL Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Forum: Join us for helping to be part of making a difference
This full day forum and career fair will bring together CEOs, C suite executives, public sector leaders, international speakers and thought leaders to have conversations on the topic of diversity, equity, and inclusion and how we can change the mindset and culture of an organization. Are we changing the culture in our organizations to be more diverse, equitable, and inclusive? What is your company doing to cultivate Indigenous, Black, and Immigrant women in leadership in your company?
EVENT DETAILS Date: Wednesday, June 2nd Time: 8:00am to 5:00pm MDT
Alberta Entrepreneurs Part of the New BioMaterials Economy
SAVE THE DATE!
The June Rainforest Connector focuses on the entrepreneurial ideas, building blocks and opportunities that exist for Albertans right now in the new biomaterials economy. Featuring a panel of experts and local entrepreneurs discussing their efforts and insights for a cleaner, lower carbon, more eco-conscious future that creates jobs right here in Alberta. In this session, we will explore how these new ideas, provincial facilities and new material alternatives could turn Alberta into a biomaterials powerhouse.
HOSTS:
Richard Gibson (Host), during the day, is a Client Solutions Director at InnoTech Alberta helping clients translate business needs into bio-industrial research projects and, at night, is a free ranging science and technology enthusiast with a passion for agriculture and enterprise architecture. He can be reached at richard.gibson@innotechalberta.ca.
Dr. Irina Garces (Co-host) is a specialist in smart materials and devices, nano and macro material composites, biomaterials, novel techniques of manufacturing - and has been involved with start-up tech companies, and is always interested in collaboration opportunities garces@ualberta.ca.
Gail Powley (Session Chair) an avid volunteer in the innovation community, is President of Technology Alberta, and as a Chemical Engineer and then later manager - has worked for industry, government, and academia - and for companies of all sizes including: Procter & Gamble, Aspen Technology, Matrikon (Honeywell), and Willowglen Systems.
Panelists:
Featuring Dr. Tri-Dung Ngo, PhD, Senior Research Scientist for InnoTech Alberta. Dr. Ngo is also an Adjunct professor in the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alberta. His research focuses on biomass processing and development of novel, eco-friendly applications using renewable and sustainable biomaterials including but are not limited to polymer, biopolymer, composite, biocomposite, nanocomposite, film, additive manufacturing, celluloses, fiber, nanocelluloses, and lignin etc. for industrial applications.
EVENT DETAILS Date: Tuesday June 15 Time: 4:30 - 6:00PM
Registration details coming soon!
INVENTURES 2021: BOLD IDEAS UNLEASHED
Inventures 2021 is 72 hours of nonstop creative collisions. From awe-inspiring keynotes and expert panels, to thrilling startup pitches and informal networking. Make connections, strike deals and launch creative ideas into overdrive!
Register now for the live Inventures experience in Calgary, September 22-24, 2021 – just $299! Included is year-round access to live stream and local Inventures Unbound events and archived content.
$50MM TO BUILD STARTUP ACCELERATORS IN ALBERTA – WHAT’S ALL THE HYPE ABOUT AND DOES IT MATTER?
Last week, the City of Edmonton announced major new funding of $5 million to attract world-class accelerators to the City. This funding will be managed by Innovate Edmonton, the City’s recently formed strategic innovation entity. We are excited by this news which follows similar announcements from the province to invest $25 million in attracting and building new world-class accelerators, and The City of Calgary committing up to another $20 million to the same effort. All told this equates to $50 million to build and/or attract technology accelerators in Alberta.
U of A RISES 20 SPOTS IN LEADING GLOBAL RANKING OF TOP UNIVERSITIES
According to the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) World University Rankings 2021-22, the U of A sits 81st in the world—up 20 spots from last year’s showing—and fourth in Canada.
"Rankings are a measure of our reputation for excellence in education and research, and the impact that our students, faculty and alumni have in their disciplines, communities, and professions," said U of A president Bill Flanagan. "The U of A's high ranking in this year's CWUR is testament to the continued hard work and talent of the entire U of A community."
CWUR publishes the largest academic rankings of global universities, examining 19,777 post-secondary institutions for inclusion in its rank of the top 2,000. What makes its rankings unique is that objective indicators are used for all four key pillars underlying the methodology—quality of education (25 per cent), alumni employment (25), quality of faculty (10) and research performance (40)—with no reliance on surveys and university data submissions.
The U of A fared particularly well in the quality of faculty and research performance categories, finishing 70th and 83rd in the world respectively
NSERC AND MITACS OFFER STREAMLINED OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT UNIVERSITY R&D
(NEWS RELEASE) NSERC and Mitacs are pleased to build on the success of their existing partnership with a new joint initiative that will support the R&D efforts of Canadian university researchers and their partners, while supporting highly qualified personnel including students and/or postdoctoral fellows.
Through NSERC’s Alliance grants and Mitacs’s Accelerate, this new opportunity is available to Canadian researchers through a single application submission and review process. Applicants are invited to include in their Alliance application a request for additional support through Mitacs Accelerate internships as a component of the training of highly qualified personnel.
Alliance grants support university researchers to collaborate with partner organizations, which can be from the private, public or not-for-profit sectors, on their R&D efforts that will create economic, social and/or environmental benefits to Canada.
CALGARY COUNCIL APPROVES PLAN TO REVAMP DOWNTOWN WITH $200M INITIAL INVESTMENT
(CBC NEWS) With approximately 32 per cent of downtown office space sitting vacant, Calgary city council has approved a revitalization plan for the core that involves an initial investment of $200 million.
Council voted 12-1 in favour of the plan on Monday, with only Coun. Jeromy Farkas opposed. The vote was 10-3 in favour of the $200-million investment, with Farkas as well as Coun. Sean Chu and Coun. Joe Magliocca opposed.
It's believed a total of $1 billion will be needed to fund the plan over the next decade, some of which the city hopes will come from other levels of government.
$33 MILLION ANNOUNCED TO ADVANCE TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS IN ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURE, AGRI-FOOD, AND FORESTRY SECTORS
(GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Using drones to help reforest remote boreal environments. Reducing methane emissions from cattle by up to 90 per cent through feed additives. Leveraging artificial intelligence to optimize energy usage at a pulp mill. These are three of 17 technology innovations that will receive funding from the Government of Alberta through Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA).
Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Parks, Jason Nixon, announced the winners of the Food, Farming, and Forestry Challenge with ERA CEO, Steve MacDonald, on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at ERA’s Lessons Learned Workshop and SPARK Speaker Series online event.
ERA is committing $33 million for 17 projects with a combined value of $107 million in public and private investment. Funding comes from the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) fund and supports innovation in the agriculture, agri-food, and forestry sectors. If successful, these technology innovations will lead to cumulative GHG reductions of up to 2.7 million tonnes of CO2e by 2030.
‘THE RACE IS ON’: LAUNCH OF EDMONTON REGION HYDROGEN HUB ANNOUNCED WITH $2 MILLION FUNDING
Canada’s first hydrogen hub launched Wednesday in Alberta with a $2 million joint-government funding announcement. The Edmonton region hydrogen hub aims to kickstart the development of the local hydrogen economy, although a strategic plan is still being developed and a timeline of specific next steps is yet to be announced. "The race is on and we will move as quickly as possible to be a part of the market,” said Hnatiw at the announcement. She added that with interest in local hydrogen from countries looking to import, Canada’s domestic industry has the potential to be worth up to $100 billion a year.
HALIFAX COMPANY NAMED WINNER OF CARBON XPRIZE; TECHNOLOGY WAS TESTED IN ALBERTA
Halifax-based company CarbonCure — whose breakthrough technology can be used to retrofit existing concrete plants so they consume carbon dioxide as part of their normal production process — will take home one of two $7.5-million grand prize purses. (In Round 2, a $2.5-million prize purse was shared equally between the five finalists in two separate competition tracks).
“It’s really a dream come true,” Rob Niven, CarbonCure’s founder and CEO, said in an interview. “We’ve been working at this for so long.”
Niven said CarbonCure believes its technology has the potential to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions from the concrete industry by 500 million tonnes per year by 2030. The company, which already has its technology installed in 300 concrete plants around the globe, plans to use its prize money to help it scale up as well as to invest heavily in further research and innovation.
APPLY TO BE A MEMBER OF THE NEW EDMONTON 'INNOVATION GROWTH COUNCIL'
The Innovation Growth Council is a new council dedicated to exploring and connecting the diverse range of innovators in Edmonton. Innovation Growth Council members will be ambassadors and champions for innovation in all its forms in Edmonton. Edmonton needs to dig deep and discover productive companies, sectors and communities, including prominent players and those that have been overlooked. We’ve gone through too much to leave people behind. We are inviting applications and nominations.
CITY OF EDMONTON & INNOVATE EDMONTON EXPAND INNOVATION PLAY WITH NEW $5M FUND
To strengthen start-ups and scale-ups in Edmonton, City Council approved $5M for Innovate Edmonton to allocate to technology accelerators. The new fund is designed to dovetail with a province-wide push for business acceleration, and to enhance coaching, investment-readiness and sales channels for Edmonton’s tech companies.
‘WE’VE HAD TREMENDOUS SUCCESS FINDING INNOVATIVE TALENT HERE’: BITCOIN STARTUP AT THE CENTRE OF EDMONTON’S EMERGING TECH SECTOR
Bitcoin Well founder Adam O’Brien stands in his company's new downtown office space. PHOTO SUPPLIED
Edmonton’s tech industry has been at the vanguard of a shift toward a diversified economy that embraces innovation- and knowledge-based business. Now it’s positioned to be a launching pad for what could soon be the world’s first publicly traded Bitcoin ATM company.
This is the goal of Bitcoin Well, an Edmonton-based cryptocurrency company set to open a new 35,000-square-foot headquarters in the city’s downtown core.
NEW COLLABORATION WILL SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF ALBERTA AS AN INNOVATION HUB FOR EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
Attabotics, the 3D robotics supply chain company, today announced a partnership with AltaML, a leading Canadian applied artificial intelligence and machine learning company, and the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii), one of the world’s preeminent centers of artificial intelligence research and application, to develop capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) that further optimize efficiency and productivity in Attabotics’ innovative supply chain infrastructure. Together, the three organizations will begin operationalizing the partnership through projects that combine AI technologies with IoT (Internet of Things) infrastructure to achieve more efficient IoT operations, improve human-machine interactions and enhance Attabotics’ data management and capabilities.
Requiring 85 percent less space than typical fulfillment warehouses, Attabotics is an entirely new way to store and pick goods in warehouses that is tailor-made to help retailers respond to changing e-commerce demands and empower brands. The company transforms the rows and aisles of a typical warehouse into a single, vertical storage structure that’s modular and scalable, and uses “3D” robots internally to store and retrieve items for box packers on the outside perimeter. Attabotics offers an ideal applied platform to utilize emerging technologies to optimize the supply chain for modern commerce.
INFOSYS EXPANDING TO CALGARY AS IT LOOKS TO DOUBLE CANADIAN WORKFORCE TO 4,000 EMPLOYEES
Multinational technology company Infosys is expanding its Canadian presence, having chosen Calgary as the home for its next office space.
The Indian-based digital services and consulting company is planning to hire 500 employees in Calgary and overall double its Canadian presence over the next three years to 4,000. The company currently has Canadian offices in Montréal, Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver, where it employs 2,000 people
2S WATER INC. WINS FIFTH ANNUAL MINING CLEANTECH CHALLENGE
2S Water Inc., based in Edmonton, Alberta, won the Colorado Cleantech Industries Association's (CCIA) fifth annual Mining Cleantech Challenge Thursday, April 22, 2021.
The Mining Cleantech Challenge featured 12 companies hailing from Canada, Finland and New Zealand. Each company was selected through a competitive vetting process by leaders and technology experts in the mining industry and invited to present virtually. Technologies presented at the Mining Cleantech Challenge offered sustainable solutions to improving mining operations by using clean technologies in the industry.
CALGARY SOFTWARE COMPANY VALUED AT $500M IN ACQUISITION DEAL
Mike Owens, CEO of Absorb Software. PHOTO BY ABSORB SOFTWARE
A Calgary-based software company with ambitious growth plans has been pegged at a valuation of more than half-a-billion dollars.
Absorb Software announced Tuesday it is being acquired by major U.S. private equity firm Welsh, Carson, Anderson and Stowe. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the company said the deal is based on a valuation greater than US$500 million.
Absorb was a largely bootstrapped company until 2017, when it completed a $59-million growth/recap investment from Silversmith Capital Partners, a Boston-based growth equity firm.
PAINWORTH ACQUIRES CALIFORNIA LEGAL-TECH STARTUP PROSE CLAIMS
Timely acquisition of ProSe Claims will help Canadian insurance-tech company PainWorth with expansion into key US markets after proven success in Canada
EDMONTON, ALBERTA (PRWEB) APRIL 06, 2021
PainWorth—one of 15 winners at the 2021 American Bar Association TechShow—announced today the acquisition of California-based legal-tech company ProSe Claims.
PainWorth has already been turning heads by revolutionizing the claims process for claimants, insurance companies, and lawyers.
The free-to-use PainWorth app makes it possible for injury claimants to easily find out—on their own—what their claim might be worth. Users who choose to self-represent can even use the app to generate the paperwork they need to start their settlement process.
Alberta IoT Association
Last week, the City of Edmonton announced major new funding of $5 million to attract world-class accelerators to the City. This funding will be managed by Innovate Edmonton, the City’s recently formed strategic innovation entity. We are excited by this news which follows similar announcements from the province to invest $25 million in attracting and building new world-class accelerators, and The City of Calgary committing up to another $20 million to the same effort. All told this equates to $50 million to build and/or attract technology accelerators in Alberta.
According to the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) World University Rankings 2021-22, the U of A sits 81st in the world—up 20 spots from last year’s showing—and fourth in Canada.
(NEWS RELEASE) NSERC and Mitacs are pleased to build on the success of their existing partnership with a new joint initiative that will support the R&D efforts of Canadian university researchers and their partners, while supporting highly qualified personnel including students and/or postdoctoral fellows.
(CBC NEWS) With approximately 32 per cent of downtown office space sitting vacant, Calgary city council has approved a revitalization plan for the core that involves an initial investment of $200 million.
(GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Using drones to help reforest remote boreal environments. Reducing methane emissions from cattle by up to 90 per cent through feed additives. Leveraging artificial intelligence to optimize energy usage at a pulp mill. These are three of 17 technology innovations that will receive funding from the Government of Alberta through Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA).
Canada’s first hydrogen hub launched Wednesday in Alberta with a $2 million joint-government funding announcement. The 
Halifax-based company CarbonCure — whose breakthrough technology can be used to retrofit existing concrete plants so they consume carbon dioxide as part of their normal production process — will take home one of two $7.5-million grand prize purses. (In Round 2, a $2.5-million prize purse was shared equally between the five finalists in two separate competition tracks).
The Innovation Growth Council is a new council dedicated to exploring and connecting the diverse range of innovators in Edmonton. Innovation Growth Council members will be ambassadors and champions for innovation in all its forms in Edmonton. Edmonton needs to dig deep and discover productive companies, sectors and communities, including prominent players and those that have been overlooked. We’ve gone through too much to leave people behind. We are inviting applications and nominations.
To strengthen start-ups and scale-ups in Edmonton, City Council approved $5M for Innovate Edmonton to allocate to technology accelerators. The new fund is designed to dovetail with a province-wide push for business acceleration, and to enhance coaching, investment-readiness and sales channels for Edmonton’s tech companies.
Bitcoin Well founder Adam O’Brien stands in his company's new downtown office space. PHOTO SUPPLIED
Multinational technology company Infosys is expanding its Canadian presence, having chosen Calgary as the home for its next office space.
2S Water Inc., based in Edmonton, Alberta, won the Colorado Cleantech Industries Association's (CCIA) fifth annual Mining Cleantech Challenge Thursday, April 22, 2021.
Mike Owens, CEO of Absorb Software. PHOTO BY ABSORB SOFTWARE
Timely acquisition of ProSe Claims will help Canadian insurance-tech company PainWorth with expansion into key US markets after proven success in Canada