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Home > About > News > Alberta Innovates invests $20.6 million to strengthen innovation supports across Alberta
September 23, 2026
Renewed investment will help entrepreneurs, startups and growing companies access the expertise, connections and commercialization support they need to scale
September 23, 2026 – Alberta Innovates is investing $20.6 million over the next three years to strengthen access to innovation supports across Alberta and accelerate the commercialization of homegrown technologies and ideas.
The investment will support Alberta's eight Regional Innovation Networks (RINs) and the province-wide Alberta Innovation Network (AIN) from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2029, helping entrepreneurs, innovators and small and medium-sized businesses connect with the resources they need to start, grow and scale. This investment directly supports Alberta Innovates' strategic priorities of accelerating commercialization and improving access to innovation supports across the province.
"Alberta's future prosperity depends on our ability to turn great ideas into real-world solutions," says Dr. Michael Mahon, Chief Executive Officer, Alberta Innovates. "This investment ensures that entrepreneurs and innovators across Alberta, regardless of where they are located, can access the expertise, partnerships and supports they need to commercialize technologies, grow businesses and create economic value for Albertans."
The renewed funding supports the following networks:
Alberta’s Regional Innovation Networks represent a collaborative alliance of the Regional Innovation Networks that delivers province-wide initiatives while leveraging the strengths of each regional partner. Working together, the networks share resources, expertise, and best practices to maximize impact for Alberta entrepreneurs and create seamless pathways through the innovation ecosystem.
Together, they serve as a front door to the province's innovation ecosystem, connecting entrepreneurs and businesses with advisory services, mentorship, applied research expertise, investment readiness supports, commercialization programming, and strategic partnerships.
Through their regional presence, the networks help innovators navigate Alberta's innovation ecosystem and access the programs, expertise and connections needed to move ideas from concept to market. They also play a critical role in strengthening collaboration among entrepreneurs, post-secondary institutions, economic development organizations, investors and industry partners.
The investment supports Alberta Innovates' vision of a thriving Alberta where research, technology, entrepreneurship and investment work together to drive economic growth and competitiveness.
Over the next three years, Regional Innovation Networks and the Alberta Innovation Network will focus on helping Alberta companies:
"Strong innovation ecosystems don't happen by accident," says Lindsay Spadavecchia, Executive Director, Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, Commercialization and Talent, Alberta Innovates. "They are built through collaboration, connectivity and access to the right supports at the right time. Through this investment, Alberta Innovates is strengthening the regional networks that help entrepreneurs move faster, commercialize sooner and compete more effectively."