Funding
Services
Coaching & Support
Tools & Resources
Impact
Strategic Initiatives
About
Who We Are
What We Do
Innovation Ecosystem
Subsidiaries
Not sure where to start?
Home > About > News > Future Innovators Take the Stage: High School Students Shine at Inventures 2025
June 17, 2025
Nine Alberta high school students recently had a chance to see the future and discover the possibilities that could be waiting for them with a path that follows curiosity, business and science, through a sponsorship from Alberta Innovates.
We welcomed nine Alberta high school students and their chaperones to Inventures 2025 for a three-day mentorship pilot. Each student was paired with a mentor from the innovation ecosystem and given the opportunity to explore everything Inventures had to offer—from inspiring keynotes and cutting-edge tech demos to fireside chats and networking opportunities.
The participating mentors and mentees included the following:
In order to participate, we shared a form widely across Alberta's high schools and elsewhere. Students were asked to complete an application form designed to identify those with a strong interest in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. More than 40 students applied, and selections were made through a blind review process, with names, schools, and grades removed to ensure that applicants were chosen solely based on the quality of their responses.
A photo of Gary Vaynerchuk, eight of the nine students and one of the chaperones
Before the event, we encouraged the students and their mentors to connect virtually and plan their conference experience together. Mentors served as guides, answering questions, helping students navigate the sessions, and encouraging them to meet new people. The goal was to create meaningful engagement and spark a lasting interest in Alberta’s innovation space.
A highlight was a session with keynote speaker and entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk, who took time to meet the students and answer their questions.
“Inventures was a transformative experience,” said Lucas Hajee, one of the participating students. “I’m passionate about medicine and technology, and it was inspiring to be surrounded by innovators and real-world applications aimed at improving lives. Receiving a scholarship made it even more meaningful—I left full of ideas and gratitude."
"This program was about more than just exposure—it was about connection," said Jon Hagan, host of Shift by Alberta Innovates. "We wanted these students to feel like they belonged here and to understand that innovation isn’t just for adults in suits. It’s for anyone with curiosity, drive, and big ideas."
During the conference, students attended sessions across AI, health innovation, clean energy, entrepreneurship, and more—reflecting the diversity of interests and career paths possible in Alberta’s future economy.
Left to right Jon Hagan from Shift with student Lucas Hajee and his mentor Brenda Beckedorf
“I would like to go into accounting or finance,” says Hannah Shum, one of the students. “It's my first time at Inventures, and I think it's very, very cool. It's very insightful. You get to meet a bunch of people from different backgrounds and it's very diverse. I think what I've been learning so far is how do you build an innovative team and how do you find people that you would work well with that could elevate your ideas.”
And the mentorship didn’t stop at the conference doors. Students were encouraged to stay in touch with their mentors and the Alberta Innovates team to continue exploring what inspired them at Inventures.
“Seeing my son so engaged at Inventures was powerful,” said Lucas’s father Sameer, also a chaperone, “the event gave him exposure to health innovation, a field he's passionate about, and helped him explore whether his path lies in medicine or tech. It’s the kind of experience that helps young people find their purpose."
The students left with new ideas, connections, and a better sense of their future. Alberta Innovates is proud to be part of their journey and help foster an interest in science and innovation for Alberta’s youth.