Regional Innovation Networks

Regional Innovation Networks are community-based providers who work closely with our Technology Development Advisors to provide access to programs and services tailored to help people start a business, innovate a solution, or accelerate growth of an existing technology.

Alberta’s rural and urban innovation support organizations are called Regional Innovation Networks (RINs) and are supported by Alberta Innovates. These RINs are spread across the province so that they can provide services and supports, where Alberta’s innovators and entrepreneurs are.

Each Regional Innovation Network is made up of local innovation support agencies. They’re passionate about helping local, early-stage technology and knowledge-based businesses innovate and grow, diversifying the economy and helping build a strong entrepreneurial culture in Alberta.

Connect with your RIN

Visit the connection portal and fill out the short form to get started. Once received, a RIN representative will contact you within 14 days to learn more about your innovative idea and how we can help.

Visit the portal

The core principles of the RINs

  • Focus on Alberta based individuals or companies that concentrate on commercializing new technology and knowledge-based products and/or services into scalable, high growth businesses.
  • Collectively support the collaboration and growth of companies across Alberta by working together in activities such as sharing services and co-developing programs.
    Respond and design solutions for the local innovation community by identifying local gaps and capitalizing on regional strengths.
  • Share best practices with stakeholders of a RIN and between RINs to accelerate learnings, find synergies, and elevate the region and the province as a whole.
  • Innovation ecosystems are dynamic. Programs and services offered by the RINs adapt to changing business models, technologies, and available resources. RINS are designed to test new ideas and adapt to change. They are agile and alive to current needs of innovative entrepreneurs.
  • Collaborative governance for the RINs aims to: include diverse voices, respond to diverse needs, enable participation, enable collaboration, provide clear decision making and accountability structures, and support information sharing.
  • Support and enable access for under-represented populations including in the entrepreneurial and technical, research and innovation ecosystem such as Indigenous persons, newcomers, black, bi-racial persons of color, LGBTQ2S+ persons, people with disabilities and women.

Learn more about Alberta’s Regional Innovation Networks

Calgary – Calgary Innovation Coalition 
Central AB – Central Alberta Regional Innovation Network 
Edmonton – Edmonton Regional Innovation Network
East Central AB – East Central Alberta Regional Innovation Network
Northeast AB – Wood Buffalo Regional Innovation Network
Northwest AB – Grande Prairie Regional Innovation Network
Southeast AB – APEX: Southeast Alberta Regional Innovation Network
Southern AB – The Regional Innovation Network of Southern Alberta