Supporting Alberta’s entrepreneurs
Regional Innovation Networks are entrepreneur-centric, community-based networks with the goal of providing programs and services to accelerate growth of technology and knowledge-based businesses in those jurisdictions.
Each Regional Innovation Network is made up of like-minded public organizations. They’re passionate about helping small technology and knowledge-based businesses innovate and grow, diversifying the economy and helping build a strong entrepreneurial culture in Alberta.
Access your Regional Innovation Network to learn more about what your community has to offer by visiting the links below:
- 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
Connection portal
Welcome to the connection portal for Alberta’s innovators and entrepreneurs. If you are looking to get your innovative ideas moving forward, you’ve come to the right place!
Alberta’s rural & urban innovation support organizations are called Regional Innovation Networks (commonly referred to as 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.
Please visit the connection portal and fill out the short form to get started. Once received, a RIN representative will contact you within 14 days. The RIN will then begin to learn more about your innovative idea and how we can help you get your idea going.
You can find the facilities and services offered by the Regional Innovation Networks in Connectica.
Client journey
Co-Developed Principles
TECHNOLOGY AND KNOWLEDGE-BASED ENTREPRENEUR-CENTRIC |
Focus on Alberta based individuals or companies that are focused on commercializing new technology and knowledge-based products and/or services into scalable, high growth businesses. |
PAN-ALBERTAN (AIN) |
Collectively supporting the collaboration and growth of companies across Alberta by working together as RINs in activities such as sharing services and co-developing programs. |
COMMUNITY BASED |
Respond and design solutions for the local innovation community by identifying local gaps and capitalizing on regional strengths. |
INTERCONNECTED-SHARING AND LEARNING |
Best practices are shared within stakeholders of a RIN and between RINs to accelerate learnings, find synergies, and elevate the region and the province as a whole. |
ADAPTABLE |
Innovation ecosystems are always evolving. 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 therefore adaptable to current needs of innovative entrepreneurs. |
COLLABORATIVE GOVERNANCE |
Collaborative governance for the RINs should enable the RIN to: Include diverse voices, respond to diverse needs, enable participation, enable collaboration, provide clear decision making and accountability structures, and support information sharing. |
EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION |
Support and enable access for under-represented populations including groups which are underrepresented in the entrepreneurial and technical, research and innovation ecosystem such as indigenous persons, newcomers, black, bi-racial persons of color, LGBTQ2+ persons, differently abled persons and women. |
Learn How
Visit Learn How to learn more about innovation stories from companies, entrepreneurs, and innovators all around Alberta.