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Home > About > News > Fueling Alberta’s future: uniting for entrepreneurial success across the province
October 17, 2024
Learn more about the events lighting Alberta's entrepreneurial fire during the chilly autumn months.
As autumn settles over Alberta, the province’s entrepreneurial spirit is heating up. With Edmonton’s Startup Week, Calgary’s Innovation Week, and the province-wide Small Business Week, Alberta is rallying around its entrepreneurs. Supported by organizations like Edmonton Unlimited, Platform Calgary, Apex Alberta and the other Regional Innovation Networks, these events offer resources, networking, and celebration, underscoring the strong support system for Alberta’s founders and innovators.
October and November mark a high point for entrepreneurship in Alberta. From October 15 to 19, Edmonton’s Startup Week offers a full slate of events, followed by Small Business Week, October 20 to 26. Rounding off the season is Calgary’s Innovation Week, from November 13 to 21. These events are much more than a calendar highlight—they’re a time for Alberta’s diverse entrepreneurial community to come together, gain visibility, and access crucial support networks across the province.
Edmonton Unlimited, led by CEO Tom Viinikka, is more than a workspace; it’s a community hub designed to empower tech entrepreneurs and facilitate networking opportunities. “We’re a convener,” says Viinikka, “bringing people together to build relationships that foster innovation.” During Startup Week, Edmonton Unlimited highlights the city’s vibrant startup scene, hosting events that showcase local talent, such as a launch party celebrating ten up-and-coming companies. Startup Week also features an inspiring keynote from Chris Heivly, co-founder of MapQuest, emphasizing Edmonton’s potential as a destination for growth-minded innovators.
For Alberta’s rural entrepreneurs, support can be harder to come by, but Apex Alberta and the other five Regional Innovation Networks are closing that gap. Apex, managed by Tracy Stroud, is one of the province’s eight regional innovation networks and focuses on helping rural businesses reach new heights. “If you’re an innovator wanting to grow your business, you don’t have to do it alone,” says Stroud. Apex kicks off Small Business Week with its Business Growth Trade Show—a reverse trade show where service providers connect directly with entrepreneurs. The goal? To ensure rural entrepreneurs can access the same opportunities and resources as their urban counterparts. With initiatives like these, Apex is building a stronger, more inclusive support system in Alberta’s rural areas.
Platform Calgary’s Innovation Week embodies the city’s ambition to be a global tech leader. Located in the heart of downtown Calgary, the 55,000-square-foot Platform Innovation Centre serves as the central hub for Innovation Week, with more than 100 events taking place from November 13 to 21. CEO Terry Rock sees the event as a pathway to making Calgary “the best place in the world for anyone to start and grow a tech company.” Events during the week highlight sectors where Alberta has a competitive edge, like aerospace, health tech, and digital media, creating a welcoming environment for investors, potential founders, and future tech talent.
Each organization is making an impact in its unique way, yet they share a common mission: fostering a collaborative, province-wide ecosystem where entrepreneurs can succeed. From weekly coffee meetups at Edmonton Unlimited to Platform Calgary’s mission-driven events, these hubs embody the inclusive, supportive spirit that characterizes Alberta’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. By reducing barriers, increasing access to resources, and hosting events that bring innovators together, Alberta Innovates and its partners ensure a unified, robust landscape for the next generation of entrepreneurs.
The success of Alberta’s entrepreneurial ecosystem relies on collaboration. By connecting rural and urban centers and aligning around common goals, Alberta is creating an innovation landscape that benefits everyone. Whether it’s Apex Alberta’s support for rural businesses, Edmonton Unlimited’s vibrant community space, or Platform Calgary’s ambitious programs, Alberta’s innovation hubs are working together to empower the next wave of Alberta-made success stories.