On the heels of the Alberta Innovates Inventures conference, it feels like the perfect time to discuss our not yet fully realized entrepreneurial opportunity in Alberta.
Calgary is known for energy and financial services and its tech scene has been quietly growing in leaps and bounds, particularly in clean energy, agriculture and life sciences. Edmonton, on the other hand, is an education powerhouse boasting seven post-secondary institutions and the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii), previously a research center born out of the University of Alberta.
Thanks in part to the Alberta government’s marketing and incentive program, our province is becoming a center of gravity for those looking for opportunity and a great place to build a life. Add to this the natural entrepreneurial spirit of our province and we are unbeatable. However, to compete on a global scale, Alberta must combine its resources and expertise.
A few years ago, a unique experiment in Alberta demonstrated the power of collaboration in a compelling way. Platform Calgary, then Innovate Edmonton (now Edmonton Unlimited) and Calgary Economic Development—organizations traditionally focused on their own independent mandates—joined forces to attend Collision, one of North America’s largest tech conferences. Their goal was simple yet ambitious: to showcase Alberta’s burgeoning tech startups. The result? A powerful, united front that captured the attention of attendees and showcased the immense potential of Alberta’s innovation ecosystem.
This collaboration didn’t stop at a single event. It laid the groundwork for the Alberta Innovation Corridor Partnership (AIC), an initiative aimed at fostering economic prosperity across the province.
As the Chief Economist at the Business Development Bank of Canada stated earlier this year, entrepreneurship rates have dropped at a staggering rate in our country. We need to be deliberate if we are going to change that trajectory. The AIC aims to accelerate business development for startups, enhance joint marketing efforts and attract more investment and talent to the province.
Junior Achievement (JA) is dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy, sharing similar goals to the AIC. JA’s programs focus on entrepreneurship, financial literacy and work readiness, equipping the next generation with the skills needed to thrive in a competitive marketplace. The shared vision of empowering individuals and creating opportunities underscores the importance of collaborative efforts like the AIC, ensuring a robust and vibrant future for Alberta’s innovation landscape.
The most unique aspect of our province is the fact that we have two major cities under four hours apart. Calgary and Edmonton each have incredibly unique offerings. For entrepreneurs, this means double the support and opportunity. Calgary has a distinct business and investment ecosystem that entrepreneurs across the province don’t leverage enough. Edmonton’s unique edge is the number of high-skilled post-secondary graduates ready to enter the workforce. This is truly the Alberta Advantage we’ve only begun to tap into.
For businesses, Alberta is not just a location; it’s a strategic advantage. The province’s appeal lies in its global connectivity, high quality of life, affordability, low tax rates, minimal bureaucratic hurdles, and access to a skilled workforce—one we’re working to build upon every day at JA.