Shift by Alberta Innovates

Send us a textToday I'm sitting down with Zack Storms and Adrian Mitchell from Startup TNT. Zack is co-founder and Adrian is the Calgary lead. StartupTNT transformed their weekly happy hour meetups into becoming Canada's most active angel investment network, connecting founders with funders and reshaping prairie entrepreneurship one community at a time.Zack launched Startup TNT in Edmonton in 2019 with weekly happy hours to build better angel investor networks.Adrian joined in 2023.Now Canada's number one pre-seed investor by deal count, deploying millions across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and beyond. Startup TNT lowers barriers to angel investing with $5,000 minimum investments instead of traditional $25,000-$50,000 cheques.Network effect enables 20-40% of local investments to come from outside each community.Alberta's startup ecosystem has grown from $200M annual investment to $600-$800M since TNT's founding.Regular Thursday happy hours (6-9pm) in each city create consistent community gathering spaces.Expanding nationally with specialized summits like their agri-food investment focus.Team partnering with Inventures 2024 for pitch showcase featuring Alberta's most promising startups.Newly hired executive director, CK Dhaliwal will allow founding team to focus on scaling across North America.Visit InventuresCanada.com to get your ticket for Inventures and StartupTNT.com to learn more about their upcoming happy hours, investment summits, and how to participate as an entrepreneur or investor.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Send us a textWhat happens when a talent acquisition strategy evolves into a national movement connecting Canada's fragmented tech ecosystems? Philippe Burns, recently named one of Calgary's top innovators in Avenue Magazine, reveals the remarkable journey behind Tech Thursday—a grassroots event series that's become the beating heart of Alberta's innovation community.From its humble beginnings as a Neo Financial recruitment initiative to its current status as an independent company hosting 175+ events with over 20,000 attendees, Tech Thursday represents a masterclass in community-building. The secret? Creating casual environments where meaningful connections happen organically, without the forced networking that plagues so many tech events.Burns introduces us to the "flywheel effect"—the powerful cycle where successful tech companies spawn new ventures, creating self-reinforcing momentum that transforms entire regions. This pattern, witnessed in innovation hotspots worldwide, is emerging in Alberta's ecosystem, with Neo Financial (itself a Skip the Dishes offshoot) now catalyzing numerous startups.Most compelling is Tech Thursday's mission to dissolve boundaries between traditionally isolated Canadian tech communities. Their expansion to Edmonton and Ottawa aims to facilitate crucial cross-city relationships between investors, founders, and talent. As Burns explains, "We're adding more cities, but we're also connecting investors, founders, maybe their first engineering hire between these cities as well, so we can build a stronger Canadian-wide tech hub."For founders and community builders alike, this candid conversation offers invaluable insights into balancing ambition with authenticity, quantity with quality, and hype with genuine value. Ready to contribute to Alberta's innovation flywheel? Reach out to Philippe directly on LinkedIn with your ideas for speakers, topics, or feedback. Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Send us a textThe challenge of plastic waste demands innovative solutions, especially when we confront the startling reality that only nine percent of plastics worldwide are currently being recycled. NAIT's Dr. Muhammad Arshad reveals how the Polytechnic's initiative Plastic Research in Action is tackling this problem, specifically through groundbreaking work on polymer blends in the Designing for Circularity: Development of polypropylene blends using post-consumer recycled plastic program.For the past two years, Dr. Arshad's team has been working with their industry partners Heartland Polymers to develop and test formulations that combine virgin polypropylene with post-consumer recycled plastics. Their research delves into the complex realities of plastic recycling—how materials degrade through multiple processing cycles, why multi-layer packaging frustrates recycling efforts, and what formulations might maintain performance quality while incorporating recycled content. Now moving from bench testing to pilot scale, their partnership with Heartland Polymers shows promise for creating commercially viable solutions.The conversation illuminates the entire lifecycle of plastic products, from petroleum-based production through consumer use to disposal and potential reuse. We discover why 100% recycled plastic products aren't always feasible for high-performance applications and how blending virgin and recycled materials offers a practical middle ground. Beyond the technical aspects, Dr. Arshad highlights NAIT's partnerships across diverse sectors—from industrial manufacturers to Alberta's beekeeping industry—showing how circular economy principles can be applied across our economy.This interview with Dr. Arshad is related to the interview The circular economy unplugged with insights from Alberta Innovates' Mehr Nikoo.Ready to support plastic sustainability? Choose reusable products over single-use items, select products containing recycled content, and ensure you're following proper recycling guidelines in your community. Listen now to understand how Alberta researchers are transforming what we've traditionally viewed as waste into valuable resources for our future.Additional reading:Economic Study of the CANADIAN PLASTIC INDUSTRY, MARKETS AND WASTE (opens a pdf)Zero Plastic WasteShift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Send us a textWhat happens when you challenge Alberta's young minds to design earthquake-proof structures and precision farming equipment? Magic. For over 40 years, APEGA's Science Olympics has been transforming how students experience STEM education – moving beyond textbooks to tackle real-world problems with ingenuity and teamwork, and Alberta Innovates is a proud sponsor!Mohamed El Daly, a civil engineer whose passion for education spans 25 years across three continents, takes us behind the scenes of this provincial-wide competition that's reaching thousands of students annually. "Students get an opportunity to take what they learn in the classroom or in a textbook and put it into an application," he explains, revealing how these challenges directly connect to Alberta's curriculum while mirroring problems that professional engineers tackle daily.The Science Olympics stands apart from typical competitions through its innovative approach to scoring. Rather than pitting teams against each other, students compete against a transparent rubric where everyone can achieve gold if they meet the criteria. This profound shift teaches young innovators that success doesn't require others to fail – a lesson that resonates throughout STEM careers. The impact goes beyond technical skills, as participants are evaluated on teamwork, communication, creative thinking, and resilience when facing setbacks.Perhaps most powerful are the stories of transformation, like former participants who return years later as engineering students to volunteer at the very event that sparked their career journey. "I didn't realize STEM is for me... but apparently it is," Mohamed recounts hearing from students who discover their potential through these challenges. With events throughout the year across major Alberta centers and opportunities for parents, teachers and STEM enthusiasts to get involved, the Science Olympics continues building the confidence of tomorrow's problem-solvers.Want to witness this inspiration firsthand or volunteer? Visit apega.ca or email outreach@apega.ca to learn how you can support Alberta's next generation of innovators.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Send us a textWelcome to part two of our discussion around massive timber.  In this episode  we explore the rigorous testing processes that the experts at C-FER Technologies put Greencore's technology through in order to ensure that mass timber meets safety standards while revealing its strengths and potential weaknesses. Discover how sound engineering principles around fire safety and charring properties make mass timber not only efficient but also reliable. The conversation addresses critical factors contributing to modern construction challenges and the innovative approaches taken to reduce labour intensity through smarter manufacturing.This episode also sheds light on the overarching goal of addressing the housing crisis with affordable and environmentally friendly building solutions. As we share insights into the future of housing, listeners are invited to reconsider the possibilities presented by mass timber technology. Transform the way you think about construction! Tune in now, and don't forget to subscribe for more exciting discussions.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Send us a textWelcome to part one of two where we explore the cutting-edge world of mass timber technology and its revolutionary impact on the construction industry.Join me as I talk with Brent Olund from GreenCore Structures and Wayne Klaczek from C-FER Technologies as they unveil the secrets behind this sustainable building phenomenon. Ever wonder how we can build towering structures with wood? Brent shares insights from his work on groundbreaking 18-story Brock Commons Tallwood House project, revealing how mass timber can create stronger, more efficient and seismically resilient buildings.Learn how mass timber is not just about aesthetics but a powerful tool for sustainability and resilience. Brent and Wayne discuss how smaller, rapidly growing trees reduce carbon footprints while innovative designs ensure buildings remain functional post-earthquake. Say goodbye to traditional concrete cores and hello to flexible systems that absorb energy with springs and viscous pads. Wayne emphasizes the importance of rigorous testing to guarantee these systems' safety and reliability, offering a glimpse into the future of earthquake-resistant construction.In a teaser for episode two, Brent alludes to one of the construction industry's most pressing challenges, the persistent issue of poor productivity. Brent shares his mission to enhance housing availability through faster and more efficient building processes. With productivity levels stuck in the past, what innovative solutions can bridge this gap? Join us as we explore how mass timber technology, with its promise of speed and sustainability, is reshaping the way we think about building for tomorrow.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Send us a textThis episode centers on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on creativity and society, featuring insights from artist and entrepreneur David Usher. David discusses the importance of understanding AI, its ethical challenges, and how it can enhance or complicate human experiences, particularly in the arts and healthcare.• The evolution of AI and its relevance to creativity • Importance of educating oneself about AI technologies • Concerns regarding intellectual property rights in AI • The focus of Reimagine AI on entertainment and healthcare • Addressing loneliness in the elderly through technology • Challenges and considerations in developing AI companions • The need for a balanced approach to AI integration Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Send us a textOn this episode of Shift we begin to explore Alberta's innovative approach to sustainability through the lens of the circular economy. We explore concrete projects that transform waste into valuable resources and discuss how individuals and industries can contribute to systemic change.• Defining circular economy and its relevance • Alberta's statistics on waste generation • Two critical pillars of circular economy • The importance of innovation in recycling technologies • Addressing built-in obsolescence in product design • The role the bioindustrial and circular innovation program plays • How individuals can participate in sustainability efforts • Future outlook for sustainable practices in Alberta Listen to find out how we can all play a role in shaping a more sustainable future!Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Send us a textJoin us on an enlightening journey into the world of entrepreneurship and mental health as we revisit an impactful conversation with Anthea Sargeaunt from 2S Water. Anthea opens up about her personal experiences and revelations during a CEO roundtable, where she discovered that issues like work-life imbalance and burnout are not just startup growing pains but persistent hurdles even for veteran leaders. Our discussion sheds light on the often-neglected mental health challenges faced by entrepreneurs and offers invaluable insights into fostering mental resilience and sustainable work habits.Anthea shares her strategies at 2S Water for maintaining healthy boundaries, especially within a remote team setup. Discover her approach to leading by example, ensuring team members prioritize their well-being to prevent burnout and maintain productivity. As resources often stretch thin in startups, Anthea underscores the crucial role mental health plays as the bedrock of success for any business leader. Tune in to gain essential takeaways that challenge the traditional hustle culture and advocate for a balanced and fulfilling entrepreneurial journey.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Send us a textDiscover a hidden engine powering Alberta's tech innovation as we sit down with Ken Doyle, Executive Director of Tech-Access Canada. Uncover the world of Technology Access Centres (TACs), where Alberta's entrepreneurs transform bold ideas into tangible advancements. Ken shares how these specialized R&D hubs offer invaluable support to small and medium-sized enterprises, providing access to state-of-the-art facilities and expertise that help refine prototypes and boost productivity. Get an insider's look at how TACs are crucial in overcoming Canada's productivity hurdles, emphasizing the need for expanded capacity to sustain Alberta's edge in the competitive tech landscape.From their exponential growth to 67 centers in a decade to their collaborative efforts with Alberta's Regional Innovation Networks and Colleges and Polytechnics, Technology Access Centres operate within Technology Readiness Levels four to eight, bridging critical gaps in applied R&D. Ken highlights inspiring stories of companies that have excelled with TAC support, like those enhancing solar panel efficiency and pioneering nanobubble disinfectant systems. These examples showcase the bespoke nature of TAC engagements and their vital role in enabling tech entrepreneurs to compete globally.Explore Canada's road to technological leadership and the trends that will shape its future. Our discussion highlights the critical need to lower innovation barriers, bridging the commercialization "valley of death." From AI to renewable energy, Ken emphasizes the promise of Canada's unique industrial landscape in leading value-added processes. The conversation also brings to light the importance of sustainability and the circular economy, drawing lessons from Quebec's pioneering efforts. This episode is a must-listen for anyone invested in the future of tech innovation and the pivotal role TACs play in driving national and provincial competitiveness.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Send us a textCan Alberta's gaming sector truly double its impact by 2026? Join us as we unpack this bold ambition with Adam Brown from Alberta Innovates, alongside gaming visionaries Matt Toner of Shred Capital and Michael Liebe from Booster Space. Together, we illuminate a strategy to capture a significant share of Canada's $7 billion gaming market, and the innovative approaches fueling this growth. From nurturing tech talent to fostering a collaboration-driven ecosystem through initiatives like Scaffold Program, Alberta is setting a new standard for the gaming industry.Listeners will discover cutting-edge funding strategies designed to empower creative minds and small studios. Our episode delves into the pivotal role of weekly master classes and alternative financing options like Kickstarter. Hear directly from industry leaders on how to build impactful companies and craft high-quality Kickstarter campaigns that resonate with audiences. As these professionals share their expertise, we explore how Alberta's gaming ecosystem balances creativity with the professionalization of developing entrepreneurial skill, fundraising and marketing to ensure both individual and communal success.As the conversation unfolds, you'll witness the crucial role of networking and ecosystem development in Alberta's gaming scene. Through strategic partnerships and global outreach, Alberta is building a resilient groundwork for long-term success. Discover how Alberta's game developers, bolstered by a 65 percent success rate with the Canada Media Fund, are navigating challenges and seizing opportunities. By embracing entrepreneurial education and community-building, Alberta is not only enhancing its own gaming industry but positioning itself as a formidable player on the international stage.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Send us a textUnlock the secrets of storytelling in Alberta's tech scene with insights from Leah Sarich, head of story at Thin Air Labs and host of the podcast, The Founder Mindset, and startup marketing consultant Kira Kelsie from Kasm Consulting. Explore how compelling narratives can transform public perceptions of complex innovations, fostering a culture of engagement and support throughout the province. Leah and Kira share their expertise on crafting stories that resonate broadly, bridging the gap between high-tech concepts and everyday Albertans, and creating a unified narrative spanning startups to industry giants.Discover the challenges and strategies involved in making intricate technologies relatable and accessible. Leah draws upon her journalism background to illustrate how plain language storytelling can highlight the human impact of innovations, while Kira sheds light on the common struggle founders face in simplifying their messages. Together, they offer practical tips for startups to connect with their audience, particularly in the clean tech sector, where skepticism is often a hurdle. Our discussion underscores the paramount importance of building trust and credibility through effective and authentic storytelling.Dive into ChatGPT: yay or nay? Our guests weigh in. Kira discusses AI-driven marketing strategies that prioritize authenticity and collaboration, while sharing a humorous story about the pitfalls of over-reliance on technology. Our conversation also emphasizes the importance of community, encouraging founders to share their stories at networking opportunities, open houses, and coffee meetups at places like Platform Calgary, Edmonton Unlimited and any of the Regional Innovation Networks:Calgary – Calgary Innovation Coalition Central AB – Central Alberta Regional Innovation Network Edmonton – Edmonton Regional Innovation NetworkEast Central AB – East Central Alberta Regional Innovation NetworkNortheast AB – Wood Buffalo Regional Innovation NetworkNorthwest AB – Grande Prairie Regional Innovation NetworkSoutheast AB – APEX: Southeast Alberta Regional Innovation NetworkSouthern AB – The Regional Innovation Network of Southern Alberta Finally, your call to action: just start small.We encourage founders just like you to take part in spotlighting Alberta's amazing tech ecosystem by contributing a short story about your business on LinkedIn. Start small and build your story telling muscle. You never know who will be listening! Whether you're a founder, entrepreneur, or tech enthusiast, this episode promises to enrich your understanding of storytelling's pivotal role in driving innovation and engagement. Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Send us a textThe interview in this episode was done by Joshua McCutcheon of the Alberta Health Services i4 podcast, Insights. Thanks for the great work, Joshua!  Unlock the secrets to transforming Alberta's healthcare system through innovation, as we bring you insights from Nancy Walter and Muna Sabouny of Alberta Innovates. As the creative force behind Alberta's research and innovation, this crown corporation under the Ministry of Technology and Innovation spearheads groundbreaking advancements in digital health, clean resources, and artificial intelligence. With a century-long legacy, Alberta Innovates orchestrates a diverse portfolio of projects, converting cutting-edge research into practical solutions that prioritize sustainable, human-centered care. The conversation dives into the power of strategic partnerships with initiatives like the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Health System (PRIHS) and the Digital4Health program. Nancy and Muna describe how these collaborations between researchers, clinicians, tech providers, and health service delivery partners are pivotal in enhancing patient well-being and optimizing the health system. By aligning goals and fostering open communication, these programs bridge knowledge gaps and generate impactful, patient-centered outcomes within the health ecosystem. In a compelling narrative, they spotlight Dr. Darren Lau's work on improving diabetes care for rural First Nations and Indigenous communities through the innovative LINK project. By harnessing digital health solutions, his team aims to elevate care quality and accessibility. The conversation also tackles "wicked challenges," leveraging rich health data and collaborative efforts to revolutionize healthcare. Alberta's potential to lead health system transformation shines as they explore the pursuit of improving care experiences, workforce well-being, health equity, cost efficiency, and overall population health.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Send us a textJoin us for an insightful exploration into the profound influence of culture on human behavior, featuring the brilliant Dr. Marcus Collins, a professor at the University of Michigan and esteemed author of "For the Culture." Discover how cultural artifacts act as mirrors to our internal beliefs and dictate how we interact with the world. Together with Dr. Collins, we unpack the concept of legitimation, where communities decide what deviations from norms are acceptable, and why understanding goes far beyond mere data when it comes to truly connecting with people. We challenge the reliance on demographics, highlighting the risks of stereotyping based on surface-level traits.The conversation takes a fascinating turn as we delve into the role media and subcultures play in shaping our perceptions, with sneakerheads serving as a prime example of trendsetting fueled by authentic passion. We navigate the intricate dance of public discourse in revealing truth in an era of disinformation and acknowledge the growing acceptance of mental health discussions. Reflecting on a life devoted to service through writing and teaching, the episode underscores the incredible power of cultural exchange and personal stories in shaping how we see the world. Don't miss this enlightening discussion that reveals culture's pervasive impact on every aspect of our lives.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Send us a textDiscover the shimmering opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship in Alberta as we welcome insights from our guests, Tracy Stroud from APEX Alberta, Terry Rock from Platform Calgary, and Tom Viinikka from Edmonton Unlimited. Tom Viinikka, CEO of Edmonton Unlimited, walks us through he and his team's groundbreaking mission to nurture tech innovation and community building in Edmonton.  We're spotlighting captivating events like Startup Week in Edmonton, Innovation Week in Calgary, and the Small Business Week activities like APEX Alberta's Business Growth Tradeshow happening across the province that are fueling Alberta's entrepreneurial spirit. And make no mistake, these events are for EVERYONE. Expect to be inspired by the stories these three leaders share, as they work to redefine the landscape of entrepreneurship by creating vibrant spaces for networking, learning and support for Alberta's tech entrepreneurs and job seekers.Join us as we explore how Alberta is a hotbed for tech and knowledge-based innovation, from ideation to commercialization. Tracy Stroud of Apex Alberta shares incredible insights into the province's regional strengths, highlighting aerospace and drone innovation. Meanwhile, Terry Rock from Platform Calgary talks about Calgary as a thriving hub for tech entrepreneurs. We discuss the role of community events and reverse trade shows that connect service providers with entrepreneurs, exemplifying Alberta's commitment to collaboration and growth in both urban and rural settings.As we wrap up, the conversation shifts to the importance of community and networking in fostering entrepreneurial success. Hear about Alberta's burgeoning venture capital scene and how it's positioning the province as a leading contender for entrepreneurs in Canada. The conversation emphasizes the significance of industry leadership, long-term investments, and the efforts to support rural entrepreneurs in high-potential sectors. Finally, listen to Terry, Tom and Tracy pitch each of these extraordinary events:Startup Week in Edmonton from October 15 to 19,  Small Business Week from October 20 to 25 featuring the Business Growth Tradeshow in Medicine Hat on October 23, and Innovation Week in Calgary from November 13 to 21.Don't miss the chance to connect with visionaries who are helping to shape Alberta's future in driving our ecosystem forward.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Send us a textCan quantum technology reshape the world as we know it? Join me in a captivating discussion with Katanya Kuntz, Megan Lee, and Chris Cassin as we explore this groundbreaking field. From the evolution of Quantum 1.0 technologies like MRI machines to the transformative potential of Quantum 2.0, we unpack the mysteries of qubits and the quest for fault-tolerant quantum computers. Discover how these advancements promise to revolutionize computing power and cybersecurity in the near future.Alberta is on its way to becoming a global quantum innovation powerhouse, and Megan Lee from Quantum City explains how. With a rich history in quantum research and collaborative efforts beginning through Quantum Alberta and others, the region is fostering a burgeoning ecosystem of startups and academic experts. Learn about the initiatives that are driving this growth, and how these efforts are connecting quantum solution creators with industry users to build a thriving quantum economy.The conversation doesn't stop there. Chris Cassin from Zero Point Cryogenics delves into the fascinating world of ultra-low temperature systems and the mysterious quantum phenomena they encounter. We touch on the critical importance of adopting quantum technology to protect sensitive data and solve global challenges. If you're curious about the future of quantum tech and its far-reaching implications, this episode is a must-listen. Plus, get practical advice on how you can become part of this exciting industry and contribute to its growth.You'll be able to find all three of our guests at qConnect 2024 in Calgary October 2 and 3.  Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Send us a textWhat does it take to build a thriving innovation ecosystem? Join us as we uncover the remarkable journey of Robert Lai, Alberta Innovates' new VP of Investment. With a stellar background in telecom and a pivotal role in the groundbreaking SuperNet project, Robert shares his vision for propelling Alberta's tech community to new heights. You'll get an inside look at his responsibilities, from nurturing startups through the Accelerator Programs to fostering cutting-edge research at post-secondary institutes. This episode offers a treasure trove of insights into the future of Alberta's economic growth and technological advancement.Discover how Alberta's universities are becoming hotbeds of innovation, developing groundbreaking technologies ready for commercialization. Robert Lai sheds light on the crucial role of identifying future trends like AI and quantum computing and how a vibrant research environment is key to attracting global talent. We also discuss the hurdles of adopting new technologies in Canada and how Alberta Innovates is tackling these challenges head-on with programs like the Product Demonstration Program. Learn about the “find, educate, connect” strategy designed to prepare startups for investment and the indispensable guidance provided by Technology Development Advisors. Don't miss this essential conversation for anyone passionate about innovation and economic growth.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Send us a textCan interdisciplinary research transform Alberta's innovation landscape? Join us as we uncover the inspiring journey of Dr. Mike Mahon, interim CEO at Alberta Innovates. With a career spanning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to leading roles at the University of Manitoba and the University of Alberta, Dr. Mahon shares his insights into fostering collaboration across diverse sectors like health, energy, environment, and agriculture. Learn how his vision aims to integrate these areas to build a more innovative and resilient Alberta.We dive deep into the power of teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration, highlighting an extraordinary example from the University of Lethbridge where a cell biologist and a physicist collaborated to make groundbreaking advancements in cancer research. Alberta Innovates stands at the forefront of these efforts, acting as a connector between researchers and startups. Mike explains how sustained support, along with Alberta's pioneering spirit, is crucial for maintaining leadership in science and innovation. Our conversation also touches on the vital role inventors play in driving forward-thinking solutions and partnerships throughout the province.Supporting Alberta's entrepreneurial ecosystem is no small feat, and in this episode, we address the challenges entrepreneurs and researchers face in turning innovative ideas into viable businesses. Lister in as we also explore innovative uses of bitumen, advancements in hydrogen energy, and transformative healthcare innovations, underscoring the importance of ethical frameworks and breaking down silos for greater collaboration. Wrapping up with a lively chat, we celebrate the spirit of teamwork and continuous improvement essential for driving Alberta's innovation forward.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Send us a Text Message.Iran Karimian is the Head of Accelerator & Startup Ecosystem at Google Canada. In her role, she brings the best of Google's people, programs, products and technology through Google for Startups Accelerator programs.I had a chance to sit down with Iran during a break at Inventures 2024 to discuss the Google program and what it means for participating companies.Listen for more and heads up: applications are now open for the fifth Google for Startups Accelerator Canada cohort until July 31st. This cohort will kick off in early October 2024. Join the following Alberta companies who've participated in past cohorts: Clavis Studio   IrisCX  Livestock Water Recycling  OpenHouse.AI  Virtuo   Monark  Nimble Science Fillip HelcimOraQ Welcome to Shift!Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Get ready to discover a revolutionary approach to entrepreneurship in Alberta with our guest, Dr. Tonya Wolfe of Red Deer Polytechnic. In this thrilling conversation, we dive into the Resource Roundup, an innovative event at Inventures 2024 that's flipping the script on networking and support for startups. Imagine an environment where entrepreneurs aren't just chasing dollars but rather, forming powerful connections with a community eager to propel their growth with a diverse range of services. Dr. Wolfe gives us an insider's look at how this platform is designed to streamline the way companies present their needs and challenges, ensuring they leave with more than just potential - they leave with a plan.The buzz around Inventures 2024 is palpable as we discuss the nitty-gritty of Resource Roundup's unique three-slide presentation structure with Dr. Wolfe. In a space fit for 20-24 vibrant companies, entrepreneurs will master the art of precise communication, laying out their roadblocks and resource needs to an audience ready to lend their expertise. This moderated event not only keeps the energy high but also guarantees that every participant leaves with concrete leads and solutions. It's a session that exemplifies the supportive innovation ecosystem Alberta is nurturing, leaving listeners eager to witness the synergies that will unfold. Join us and be part of the movement changing the face of entrepreneurship one connection at a time.Applications to be part of the Resource Roundup close May 10, 2014. Apply NOW! Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Mark Korthuis, President and CEO of the Glenrose Hospital Foundation recently sat down with me to discuss a panel he'll be moderating at Inventures 2024 called Rethinking Approaches to Unlocking Health Data. In our discussion, Mark sets the stage for what the panel will focus on: navigating the terrain between privacy concerns and opportunities that, if missed, could set health systems back as the world embraces the ubiquity of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and other technologies we've yet to imagine. Mark provides invaluable insights into the transformative potential of collective governance and the imperative for a fluid exchange of health data across care settings. Our conversation is only a teaser for the panel that should be a beacon for clinicians, patients, entrepreneurs, policy makers and anyone interested in data and healthcare innovation, seeking to understand the intricate balance of data accessibility and patient care.In addition to listening to the podcast, check out the Interoperability Saves Lives report on the Alberta Virtual Care website. Welcome to Shift!Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Meet Hunter Cardinal, a man whose roots spread across a rich tapestry of Cree, Métis, Polish, French, and Russian heritage. Hunter will be joining us May 29 through 31st as our MC for Inventures 2024. Our conversation rounds all sorts of corners as we talk about the roles of preparation and spontaneity in practicing for his role. He explains what he refers to as the 'drywall effect' where creating the perfect atmosphere is as essential as the nitty-gritty of scripts and technical coordination. The role of an MC comes into sharp focus as we discuss how Hunter's presence at the helm can ensure an event's success by seamlessly knitting together speakers, technicians, and the audience into an unforgettable experience.In something I found to be particularly meaningful, Hunter describes his role as MC as oskâpêwis, or Cree for helper.  Tune in and learn about the potent blend of meticulous planning and the ability to pivot gracefully - the secret ingredients for maintaining control in a world brimming with uncertainties.Welcome to Shift! BioHunter, alongside his sister Jacquelyn, are the proud owners of Naheyawin, a social enterprise they built  to promote reconciliation and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Naheyawin takes a unique approach to Indigenous consulting and creates impactful training and unforgettable cultural experiences to help organizations unlock the transformative power of Indigenous ways of knowing and being, enhancing their diversity and inclusion strategies. Naheyawin has worked with various organizations, including for-profit businesses, non-profits, and government agencies. Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Inventures isn't just any conference; it's a global gathering that puts Alberta's incredible pool of resources and talent under the spotlight. Whether you're an entrepreneur itching to make waves, a startup on the brink of breakthrough, or an international company eyeing Alberta as your next big venture, you'll find that Inventures is the ultimate stage for forging business connections and showcasing the province as a hotbed for innovation and growth.In our brief discussion Marlene Arana, the director of Inventures, paints a vivid picture of an event that transcends the typical conference bounds, promising a holistic experience that melds technology, business, entertainment, and a taste of Alberta culture.If you're curious about what the future holds, from digital health to clean tech, or if you're an institution aiming to commercialize cutting-edge research, this episode is your invitation to explore the rich tapestry of opportunity that Inventures weaves. Prepare to be inspired and to create impactful connections, for Alberta's innovative spirit is ready to dazzle on the global stage, and Inventures 2024 is where it all happens.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

On this episode  sit down with Gail Powley to tease some of the fascinating stories that have woven the fabric of Alberta's innovation landscape, from the Nobel Prize laureates who trace their roots to small towns like Medicine Hat to the cutting-edge developments that have shaped industries far and wide. As we explore the pivotal contributions of the Regional Innovation Networks, we uncover how these cornerstones of progress ensure that Alberta's entire expanse shares in the success of technological evolution.Gail is the president of Technology Alberta and the executive director the ASTech Awards—Alberta's award of innovation recognition—celebrating 35 years of scientific and technological advancement.This episode gives you some insights on the power of networking within Alberta's entrepreneurial scene. We talk about how the importance of having a compelling pitch and showing up with a giving spirit are essential currencies in our tech ecosystem, and we further explore the magic that happens at a technology and business convergence point like Inventures where you can pack 20 meetings into a day that would normally take you much longer. We hope you come away with an appreciation for the strong bonds that form the backbone of the tech community in Alberta, and the profound impact a culture of support and collaboration has on driving innovation to new heights. Welcome to Shift!Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Inventures 2024 is almost here!As with past Inventures, our goal is to deliver a global experience showcasing Alberta's innovation ecosystem. Exhibits, demonstrations, dozens of panel sessions, talks, networking and more! This can't-miss-event is ideally suited for entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, students, industry and more to come together to explore innovation at its finest.Welcome to ShiftWe've taken a wee break from Shift over the past few months, but we're back! Our next few episodes are going to help provide some sense making and way finding by shining a light on only a handful of this year's Inventures participants. Make sure to check the Inventures 2024 website for session updates and other announcements. Cloudy with reduced chance of precipitation On today's episode we're talking with Erik Bitmanis from Canarie, a national non-profit organization who provides a unique service to Canadian entrepreneurs through its DAIR Cloud Program. This program helps Canadian tech innovators to accelerate new product and service development by providing them with free cloud resources and access to expertise in next generation technologies, giving Canadian start-ups and small & medium enterprises a boost toward commercialization.  Welcome to Shift!Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

I had the chance to talk with  co-founders Megan Leslie and Julian Mulia about their work with Nanotess and their entrepreneurial journey while we are at Inventures 2023 this past May.We dive into Nanotess 101, what it means and what they do and then we're right into discussing how Nanotess became certified as a manufacturer of medical devices with subsequent approval from Health Canada in an incredible two year time span. Megan and Julian are very easy to talk to and are open in explaining their experiences as a young couple running an innovative company. We speak about using values and communication to guide the company in making decisions and much more!Welcome to Shift!BiosMegan Leslie – Co-Founder & CEO of NanoTess IncMegan holds two degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Finance. At NanoTess, Megan has led the company to achieve numerous critical milestones. Notably, oversubscribing NanoTess' pre-seed and seed financing rounds, winning several pitch competitions and awards including Startup Canada's global pitch competition in the scale up category, REHAB i2c pitch competition and the Start Alberta A100 One to Watch, securing funding from federal, provincial, and military sources, completing a successful project with the Canadian Department of National Defense, certifying NanoTess' ISO13485/MDSAP quality management system for medical device manufacturing, and obtaining Health Canada approval for NanoTess' flagship product - NANOSALV Catalytic Advanced Wound Care Treatment Matrix.Julian Mulia – Co-Founder & COO of NanoTess IncAs an engineer by training, Julian has worked as a management consultant, advising Fortune 500 C-Suite clients on Strategy, Operations, and establishing their innovation ecosystems and intrapreneurship practices. As a co-founder of NanoTess, Julian has led several critical milestones including securing dilutive and non-dilutive funding, establishing both an R&D laboratory and a production facility for NanoTess, developing scalable supply chain partnerships for equipment and materials to avoid delays associated with scaling production quickly, and securing several key business development partnerships with clinicians, health care organizations, and multi-national companies to help grow and scale NanoTess and its technology.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Sacred Science brings together Indigenous knowledge and western science to create opportunities for new solutions to environmental challenges, including issues that are important to Indigenous People.For this edition of Shift, I had the chance to sit with Alvin First Rider and talk about the Blood Tribe's Buffalo Restoration Project. We were joined by Emily Herdman from InnoTech Alberta and Brett Purdy from Alberta Innovates.Alvin is a member of the Káínawa, or Blood Tribe,  in southern Alberta. Extending into US territory, these lands form the traditional territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy. Alvin speaks about his nation's use western science alongside Indigenous Knowledge to bring buffalo back to their historical plains.We discuss the importance of restoring this iconic animal as part of an intertribal effort to restore the great plains ecosystem and to reclaim the traditions of the Indigenous peoples who have occupied these lands since time immemorial.The Sacred Science video series, developed in collaboration with Indigenous communities in Alberta, Alberta Innovates and InnoTech Alberta, tells the stories of how these communities are leveraging Indigenous knowledge in tandem with western science to tackle complex conservation and land management challenges that impact all of us and to preserve their cultures.These videos demonstrate successful collaboration between Indigenous communities and natural scientists that create meaningful impact and demonstrate our commitment to reconciliation, particularly in the natural sciences.  You can see all three videos here. BiosAlvin First Rider, Environmental Technician, Blood Tribe Land Management Alvin is a member of the Blood Tribe of Southern Alberta and a descendant of the Blackfeet Nation in Montana both of the Blackfoot Confederacy. Alvin works as a environmental technician with Blood Tribe Land management. He's been an advocate for the voiceless flora and fauna of Blackfoot Territory, and for traditional use land management practice such as bison, cultural burning, beaver restoration from a Blackfoot perspective. Emily Herdman, Technical Lead, InnoTech AlbertaEmily is the Supervisor of Integration and Sector Alignment for the Environmental Services division at InnoTech Alberta. She supports project development and implementation in Environmental Impacts and Biodiversity Monitoring, while also nurturing strong relationships with key partners and progressing strategic planning for priority areas.Bringing the right people together to solve complex client problems is what Emily enjoys most about her job. Her projects have included Indigenous communities, industry, academic, government, and regulators, reflecting her broad network and focus on collaborative approaches to achieve meaningful outcomes.Brett Purdy, Executive Director of Environmental Innovation, Alberta InnovatesBrett is the Executive Director of Environmental Innovation at Alberta Innovates. In this position, Brett works with a talented team responsible for a supporting research and innovation in the areas of integrated land management, restoration and reclamation, climate adaptation and sustainable water resource management. Brett has worked in government and academic institutions as a reclamation research scientist, and has conducted research in reclamation, forest ecology, conservation biology, and population genetics and taught university courses in forestry and conservation. Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

I had a chance to sit down with Ian Beacraft, an engaging, energetic and creative visual presenter, while at Inventures recently. Ian had flown in from Chicago and was providing one of the keynotes the day we got to chat. Ian is very well versed in artificial intelligence. He understands the nuances, the concerns and the opportunities. He was willing to go down any rabbit hole I wanted to explore and I feel it made for a great conversation. Don't take my word for it, though. Dive in for yourself!Welcome to Shift.BioIan Beacraft, CEO and Chief Futurist, Signal and Cipher Considered one of the top voices in emerging technologies, Ian Beacraft is a trusted advisor to the world's most innovative companies. The founder and chief futurist of Signal and Cipher, Ian leads a strategic foresight agency that guides companies through the rapidly changing technology landscape and finds meaningful routes to innovation that impact the bottom line, inspire cultural change, and create new products and services. Previously responsible for P&Ls and innovation departments at the largest agencies in the world, Ian is known for making bleeding-edge technology understandable and monetizable. Brands he has advised over the last decade include Samsung, Intel, Coca-Cola, Google, Microsoft, Nike, and dozens more.Ian has pioneered a digitally immersive presentation style that brings artificial intelligence and extended reality to life so audiences can understand the future of technology in actionable ways. Ian is also the co-owner of a production studio designing virtual worlds and the first person ever to host a news segment as a synthetic human, streaming to over 100 million devices around the world.A classically trained musician, Ian understands the magnitude of AI's coming impact on human creativity. As a strategist and speaker, he strives to educate stakeholders on the real-world implications of emerging technologies so they can make informed decisions that positively shape our world and advance humanity. In a rapidly evolving world that some consider dystopian, Ian remains a steadfast optimist and offers what everyone needs now: hope.Taken from Ian's LinkedIn profile.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

I met Ryan Grier from Whispering Cedars Ranch while I was at the Olds College of Agriculture and Technology AgSmart event in early August. Ryan and his wife Janna are first generation Alberta farmers originally from British Columbia. I walked impressed with how these two are embracing and engaging a lifestyle that's not for everyone but one that everyone depends on. On their farm, Whispering Cedars Ranch, they strive to raise Alberta lamb and provide the industry with healthy and proven purebred replacement breeding stock.  As entrepreneurs they're constantly challenged to look for ways to diversify their income.Sit back and settle in as Ryan sheds light on his experience and the joy he and his family derive from farming in Alberta.     Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Welcome to episode one of our KDays Innovation Zone retrospective! Alberta Innovates had the opportunity to participate as in-kind sponsors for the Innovation Zone led by Explore Edmonton. This was a great opportunity to meet and feature some Edmonton-based entrepreneurs, businesses and students on the Shift podcast. Other KDays Innovation Zone interviews include:Krishna Panchal from the University of Alberta's Future Creators, Kathy Janzen and Ken Schmidt from Wilson Analytical, and Joe Callahan from Correct AI.This third episode is my discussion with Jean Bruce Koua from Elev Homes. Born from the shared struggles of three university students - Jean Bruce, and his partners Kevin Mpunga and Kwasi Boateng - Elev started as a side project but quickly turned into a mission.These three weren't just sympathetic observers of the student housing struggle - they were in the thick of it themselves. Their drive to find a solution came from firsthand experience; they knew that by fixing this issue for others, they'd be fixing it for their own lives too.    BioDubbed the "Master of Making Things Happen," Jean Bruce Koua is one of Elev's founders. His first 'student home' in Canada was a budget hotel room. Jean Bruce believes challenges are the greatest form of learning opportunities, and once overcome, can help efficiently address other sets of obstacles. As the co-founder of Elev, he is able to provide tools to help students facing challenges navigating the off campus housing market, an experience he endured as an International student studying in Canada. Having worked in both the public sector with the Federal Government of Canada, and the private sector with the Alberta Investment Management Corporation, he is able to provide strategic input in the growth of Elev. Being able to merge his economics and problem solving skills allow him to make informed and calculated decisions that are key to the success of the startup. Jean Bruce Koua believes that learning from one another is very important and looks forward to connecting with great minded people in the community! (LinkedIn profile)Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Welcome to episode two of our KDays Innovation Zone retrospective! Alberta Innovates had the opportunity to participate as in-kind sponsors for the Innovation Zone led by Explore Edmonton. This was a great opportunity to meet and feature some Edmonton-based entrepreneurs, businesses and students on the Shift podcast. This second episode is my discussion with Kathy Janzen and Ken Schmidt from Wilson Analytical Services. We dive into the work they're doing in the area of spectroscopy.  Other KDays Innovation Zone interviews include:Jean Bruce Koua from Elev Homes,Krishna Panchal from the University of Alberta's Future Creators, and Joe Callahan from Correct AI.BiosKen Schmidt, President and founderKen is an Alberta based Professional Chemist and entrepreneur. He completed his PhD in Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Calgary in 1990. Over the last 25 years, he has worked with universities and the mining and energy industries to solve industry specific problems in sulfur chemistry, catalysis, ceramics, chemical vapour deposition (CVD) coatings and spectroscopy. His expertise is in industrial analytical chemistry, process laboratories for industry, instrument design, manufacturing, sales and technical support.He has been involved in several high tech start-ups, including Wilson Analytical (which he co-founded in 2003). He is also President of Canadian Tool, a Montreal firm specializing in machining and manufacturing. Ken's key role at Wilson is technical development and customer relations.Kathy Janzen, Vice President and founder Kathy is a professional Chemist with twenty-five years of experience with the RCMP as a forensic scientist, followed by two years as one of the principles of the analytical services side of Wilson Analytical. She was also involved in several high tech start-ups, and worked with entrepreneurs at the Northern Alberta Business Incubator (NABI).Kathy served 10 years as the Executive Director of the Association of the Chemical Profession of Alberta (ACPA) and was also the former council chair of the Federation of Canada's Professional Chemists. Kathy's main role with Wilson is financial and strategic planning, sales, and human resources. Together, Ken and Kathy make all company business decisions.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

I met Nick Kazakoff onsite at Inventures  2023. His company OneTwoSix Design had generously offered the use of one of their Loop Phone Booths for me to feature to interview guests for the podcast while we were in Calgary for the event.My Inventures 2023 guests included the following: Nick, who you'll hear from todayDamien Hocking from Madala Software, Lorna Baird and Joy Agnew from Olds College of Agriculture and Technology, Dr. Ben Schultz from Maverick Large Animal Veterinary Service, Ian Hagreaves from ATB, and, coming soon, Ian Beacraft from Chicago-based Signal & Cipher.OneTwoSix DesignFounded by Industrial Designers Nick Kazakoff and Brendan Gallagher, Onetwosix is an award winning design agency and team of artists, researchers, designers and builders working to give form to ideas.Based in Western Canada, they regularly work with clients across Canada and the USA. From businesses in Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, and San Francisco to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and New York - they turn great ideas into beautiful and functional products that can be manufactured efficiently and cost effectively. Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

At Edmonton's recent KDays event, Alberta Innovates had the opportunity to participate as in-kind sponsors for the Innovation Zone led by Explore Edmonton. This was a great opportunity to meet and feature some Edmonton-based entrepreneurs, businesses and students on the Shift podcast. This is the third episode and it features my brief chat with Krishna Panchal from the University of Alberta's Future Creators. KDays Innovation Zone interviews also include:Jean Bruce Koua from Elev Homes,Ken Schmidt and Kathy Janzen from Wilson Analytical, and Joe Callahan from Correct AI.Future CreatorsFuture Creators is a University of Alberta Engineering student group and nonprofit organization that inspires future engineers and technology innovators by providing youth with the mentors, knowledge, and resources to bring their own technology projects to life.They partner with schools to provide a weekly afterschool program to students in grades 7-12.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

I met and interviewed my guest at Inventures 2023 in Calgary this past May. He had a wee break in his schedule and was kind enough to join me onsite to discuss the work he and his company are doing optimize oil production on Alberta well sites. It's fascinating to learn that his company's technology helps the onsite production engineers understand and adjust variables related to each well in real time. Evidence to this point has shown that sites using the technology are up to ten percent more productive. Over the course of many wells and many sites this number adds up to become quite impressive.Pour yourself a cup of your favourite wake-up elixir and settle in to learn more about this made-in-Alberta oil & gas optimization tool.Welcome to Shift.   BioDr. Damien Hocking - Chief Technology Officer for Madala SoftwareDamien has a diverse career in solving complex problems through technical software development.  He is an expert in hydraulics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and both steady state and transient simulation.  He has held key technology roles at Hyprotech, Aspentech, KBC, and Computer Modeling Group. Additionally, he's worked for MEG Energy and HTRI.  In addition to Madala Software Inc, Dr. Hocking founded Corelium Inc. which provides a scalable simulation platform.  He's the co-author of six patents in the heavy oil industry and holds a Bachelor in Engineering and PhD in Chemical Engineering both from the University of Adelaide.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Artificial intelligence has taken the public imagination by storm and things are moving quickly. At Inventures 2023 in Calgary we had Ian Beacraft and Timnit Gebru dedicate their keynotes to it, and a panel featuring representatives from Microsoft, Enmax and the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute discussing it from an industry perspective. Today, we're featuring my discussion with Ian Hargreaves from ATB. Ian and I dive in and build off a previous discussion he had on Tyler Chisolm's podcast Collision YYC (I encourage you to give it a listen) to further explore the implications, considerations and what keeps him up at night as far as artificial intelligence goes. Again, things have been moving fast and we'll talk about some of the changes that have occurred between his and Tyler's interview and his and mine. One of Ian's big messages is that it's critical for us, ALL of US, to stay on top of AI developments and specifically business exploring the use of AI to understand the role and implications of the incoming federal Act C-27.  BioIan Hargreaves, Fellow, Artificial Intelligence at ATBAs Fellow of Artificial Intelligence at ATB, Ian is responsible for taking AI out of the lab. This means creating secure, scalable and transparent platforms that deliver on core AI capabilities like computer vision or personalization. His mission is to weave a thread of AI through all digital experiences at ATB - whether it's tools used by ATB team members, or experiences that directly benefit customers. By rethinking how teams build, support and deliver AI capabilities, Ian and his team believe that they can truly reimagine banking by surrounding all Albertans with a network of intelligent services designed to grow their wealth, however they define it.After an academic career using neuroimaging and predictive models to understand how people make decisions, Ian graduated from the University of Calgary with a PhD in Brain and Cognitive Sciences. Ian has developed both highly valuable intellectual property and also the foundations of a data science practice within business operations. Ian has managed numerous proofs of concept, and in scaling those quickly learned that the impact of AI is ultimately limited by trust: trust in the algorithm, trust in the team that designed it, and trust in the overall strategy. Ian has co-authored one patent and has 20 academic publications.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

I had a chance to sit down and talk with Dr. Ben Schultz at this recent Inventures 2023. Ben is a large animal vet and recent graduate of the Central Alberta Regional Innovation Network's Catalyst Incubator. Large animal veterinary medicine is a fascinating practice that Ben describes as being a fertile ground for innovation.I hope you enjoy our talk. Welcome to Shift!   BioDr. Ben Schultz Ben founded Maverick Large Animal Veterinary Service in 2012. He is also a founding partner of Momentum Equine Veterinary Specialists in Sherwood Park, and a partner at Uncas Veterinary Clinic in Uncas, Alberta.In addition, he is the founder of Emergion Technologies, creators of TREATURE, a web based animal health protocol app designed for veterinarians, livestock owners, and veterinary pharmacies.Ben has a professional interest in cow/calf and small feedlot and backgrounding, and is keenly interested in the economics and sustainability of the beef production industry as a whole.  Ben is particularly interested in the application of new technology to address challenges facing rural veterinarians and their clients.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Food production is essential. Full stop.As demand for food and the urgency for sustainable crop and animal production increases, our need for better tools increases: artificially intelligent, mechanized, data-driven tools. With this, however, come challenges:  how do we help get these, so called, "smart" tools into the hands of those who will be using them on the frontlines? And opportunities: how do we start to understand each farm is different and localized data will help to increase sustainable production? In this episode, we talk with Joy Agnew and Lorna Baird from Olds College of Agriculture and Technology about smart farming, how the College uses its Smart Farm to support famers to use the tools, and how it teaches the next generation of food producers and entrepreneurs to use, develop and test these tools in the field. We also talk about the Pan Canadian Smart Farm Network that's spreading across the country, with the various locations sharing data and learnings to increase overall knowledge, and the support the College provides entrepreneurs through its Centre for Innovation, as well as partnerships with Alberta's Regional Innovation Networks and the Technology Access Centres. This is an inspiring episode. Welcome to Shift.Bios  Joy AgnewJoy grew up on a grain farm near Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and earned her Ph.D. in Ag/Bio Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. At Olds College of Agriculture and Technology, Joy oversees the applied research portfolio and smart farm operations. Applied research at Olds College is focused on crop and livestock production with a specialty in environmental stewardship, technology integration and data utilization to improve productivity and sustainability of food production.  Joy also has a leadership role in the development of the College's Smart Ag Ecosystem, bringing together the academic programming, applied research, strategic partnerships, smart farm operations, and extension & communication activities to help the College meet its goal to be a leader in Smart Agriculture. In 2021, Joy was named one of Canada's top 50 most influential people in Canadian Ag by Canadian Western Agribition.Lorna BairdLorna is the Manager of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Olds College Centre for Innovation where she helps people with new business ideas and small to medium-sized businesses access networks of people, organizations and programs that can help them develop their entrepreneurship journey. Lorna also supports Business Development for the Technology Access Centre for Livestock Production at the College where she continues to help those same individuals and businesses develop, validate and demonstrate new technologies or innovative techniques. Lorna also co-chairs the Central Alberta Regional Innovation Network, one of eight Regional Innovation Networks across the province that are supported by Alberta Innovates. The networks work collaboratively and share ideas and noteworthy practices. Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

The Metaverse. What were people saying about the Internet before it became commonplace? To me, it feels like a similar thing.Thankfully we have people like Mike McCready to help us navigate and understand what a tool like the Metaverse is and can become.To paraphrase both Mike AND Inventures keynote, Matthew Ball, it's  key for us to educate ourselves on what this technology means for us and how it will impact us. Understand it before you HAVE to understand it.In our conversation Mike not only mentions how people attending Inventures can experience and learn about the Metaverse, but how people not able to attend can participate in the Inventures Metaverse Experience.The INVENTURES Metaverse Experience – presented by Lethbridge CollegeExperience first-hand what metaverse technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR), motion capture, and more can offer industry.  Listen to global leaders share insights on various topics, ideate and collaborate together, and meet new people – all within a virtual representation of the main floor of the TELUS Convention Centre. Explore some of the advanced technologies that the Lethbridge College START Centre offers which enable industry to digitize the physical world, experience the virtual world, and blend the two together. These hardware demonstrations will be live-streamed into the INVENTURES Metaverse Experience. How to participate physically at INVENTURESYou can join sessions or demo advanced spatial technologies hardware by visiting rooms TELUS 101-103 on May 31 between 10:15am and 4:30pm and on June 1 between 9:15am and 4:30pm.How to participate virtually in INVENTURESYou can join sessions using the ENGAGE platform. Instructions on how to download ENGAGE, create an account, and join sessions can be found here (opens a .pdf).BioMike McCready, Industry Liaison and Research AdvisorSpatial Technologies Applied Research and Training (START) CentreLethbridge CollegeMike is an educator and researcher with a focus on immersive technologies such as virtual and augmented reality. He has over 23 years of development experience and is driven to explore new technologies and understand their application within business and society. He introduced one of the first VR development courses at Lethbridge College in 2016. One of Mike's focuses is the social interactions made possible with VR and has planned and facilitated numerous social VR activities that have garnered national and international attention, including the world's first full-day conference held in VR – Merging Realities.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

What's your plan?Ethics and values: two words that provide a solid foundation to any and all companies. Ignore at your own peril. Ethics and values provide guide posts for all of your business decisions. They help to direct all members of a company into doing what that business holds as a key value. In this era of artificial intelligence and machine learning, the growth is substantial and quick. The need for ethical guidelines when it comes to growth using AI is significant. Join me as I talk to Susan Divers from LRN about her upcoming session at Inventures entitles: Business Ethics – What's Your Plan? Welcome to #ShiftbyAIBioSusan Divers, Director of Thought Leadership and Best Practices, LRNSusan brings 35+ years' accomplishments and experience in the ethics and compliance area to LRN, a leading provider of solutions in the ethics and compliance area. She is a frequent speaker at events and conferences on ethics and compliance topics. Prior to joining LRN in 2015, she served as AECOM's Assistant General for Global Ethics & Compliance and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer. Under her leadership, AECOM's ethics and compliance program garnered six external awards in recognition of its effectiveness and her thought leadership in the ethics field. In 2011, Susan received the AECOM CEO Award of Excellence. She is qualified as a solicitor the the High Court of England and Wales and admitted to the DC Bar.TRACKS: ACCELERATING GROWTHSESSION: Business Ethics – What's Your Plan? – June 01, 9:15 amShift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Alberta IoT is a member-based non-profit organization working to build connections and support for Alberta-based digital companies with a focus on the Internet of Things. I had a chance to sit down with Brenda Beckedorf, Alberta IoT's Executive Director to talk about her organization's growth since its inception and the direction their boldly charting as they continue to function as a vital player in building Alberta as a centre for digital-based  businesses.We discuss a number of their programs, from the Fast Track Accelerator and their Start-Up Visa for new Canadians who are working to establish themselves as tech entrepreneurs to the Science Park, Alberta IoT's newest initiative to tie industry with post-secondary to create a space for connection, collaboration and innovation to support the growth of all things digital, and much more!Buckle up and welcome to Shift!BioBrenda Beckedorf is the Executive Director of Alberta IoT. In her role as Executive Director, Brenda's focus is to bring our community together to provide a common voice in advancing the knowledge, adoption, and growth of the Internet of Things industry within the province of Alberta and throughout the world.Prior to Alberta IoT, Brenda started her career in technology with Graycon Group as Director of Business Development. She is a current Director of The Calgary Innovation Coalition (CIC--part of Alberta Innovates group of eight Regional Innovation Networks), a group of organizations in the Calgary region that support innovation-driven entrepreneurs, startups, and enterprises.Brenda is also Director for Alberta Women Entrepreneur, who supports women in business through business advising, business skills development, financing, and providing networking opportunities. Brenda is a 2020 winner of the Universal Women Network Mentorship Award. Brenda previously served as Vice President of Calgary Women in Energy and until recently as Regional Director for AIoT Canada.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Nestled in central Alberta, Red Deer Polytechnic is a post secondary institution with major aspirations--and some serious clout. With lots of connections through the regional innovation networks across the province and the Technology Access Centres in Alberta and across the country, they're built to support students AND entrepreneurs. In this discussion with Tonya Wolfe, the director of RDP's two centres of innovation, we learn about how the school gets power, touch base on what the tech access centres are, learn about their role with the Regional Innovation Networks, and generally plumb the depths of what she oversees and how the school supports innovation in Alberta.Welcome to Shift! BioTonya Wolfe, PhD P.Eng, Director, Centres for Manufacturing and Energy Innovation at Red Deer Polytechnic, and adjunct professor in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta.Tonya is a recognized leader in Alberta's innovation space, Tonya is never satisfied with the status quo. Her areas of expertise include metallurgy, materials design, additive manufacturing, welding, wear resistant materials, steelmaking, biomedical engineering, and process modeling, and she enjoys sharing her knowledge in order to facilitate the growth of innovation for SMEs.Tonya has a professional engineering designation, a Bachelor of Applied Science from Queen's University, and graduate degrees from the University of Alberta. Her MSc investigated the use of biomaterials for prosthetic applications and her PhD studied composite overlays deposited by plasma-transferred arc welding.Prior to arriving at Red Deer Polytechnic in 2020 as the CIM-TAC Manager, Tonya spent more than two decades building connections and working to advance technologies and innovation with Alberta's manufacturers. She is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (www.apega.ca), the Minerals, Metals & Materials Society, and a founding member of the Alberta Additive Manufacturing Network. In her spare time, Tonya competes as a Masters Synchronized Swimmer and is a leader with the Girl Guides of Canada, an organization she has been a member of for over 40 years.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

There's no one playbook that defines the path to startup success. For Chris Heivly, it's a mindset. My conversation with Chris touches on his new book, Building the Fort, what people can expect to take away from his talk at Inventures, and he gives listeners some great insight how to pitch.Welcome to Shift!Inventures sessionsStartup Pitch Event – The Metaverse – June 01, 9:15 amWhy Building Great Ecosystems Is Even More Important Today – June 02, 10:15 amBioChris Heivly,  Managing Director, Build The FortChris is one of the nation's leading experts on launching startups. He co-founded MapQuest, is an investor (angel, corporate VC, 2 micro funds ~ directed over $75M) and was SVP Innovation with Techstars. Today he is focused on startup community building enabling city leaders to create the right environment for entrepreneurs.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

On this episode we're teasing another of our Inventures speakers: Lia Garvin. Lia is engaging, insightful and an absolute pleasurer to talk with. She takes years of experience working for some big companies and distils her learnings into useable knowledge that entrepreneurs can easily deploy in the startups.  Lia is a master business consultant that will describe how to reframe the workplace and do more with less, and how to become unstuck from business ruts many of us get stuck in.Welcome to Shift! BioLia GarvinLia is the best selling author of Unstuck, TEDx speaker, and organizational effectiveness consultant and coach with experience leading team operations across Google, Microsoft, Apple and Bank of America. She uses the lens of “disruption without destruction” to equip innovative organizations of any size and industry with the tools to cultivate inclusive, motivated, high performing teams. She is a sought after expert in the media, featured in Inc, FastCompany, ABC News, CNN Business, US News & World Report, HBR, Yahoo and TV News.She'll be joining us at Inventures to present her talk "Doing More With A Smaller Team" on June 01, 10:15 amShift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Welcome to the second in our series of Inventures teaser episodes leading up to our event starting on May 31.My guest this episode is Erik Severinghaus. Erik joins me for brief discussion to set the stage for his talk entitled "Everest to Entrepreneurship: How to Scale YOUR Everest" on May 31 at 10:15 am.Resilience isn't taught in class. It's lived experience, but Erik will inspire you to think differently about it and he'll work to give some tools and means to conquer the challenges you may be face as an entrepreneur. Join me for this great, and candid, conversation about how Erik faced obstacles, suffered defeats, but persisted and built his resilience to achieve satisfying personal and business successes.BIOErik Severinghaus, Co-Founder / Co-CEO, BloomfilterErik Severinghaus has summited the highest peaks of both the business world – selling four companies for hundreds of millions of dollars – and the physical world – successfully climbing Mt. Everest in 2018. He is proudest not of the trophies on his wall memorializing these accomplishments, but of the scars he has accumulated overcoming both the external obstacles and internal trap of self-doubt along the way. Erik released his first book in 2021, Scale Your Everest, a guidebook for mental health, resilience and entrepreneurship. Erik has an MBA from Kellogg School of Business and an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina. He lives with his wife and daughter in Chicago.He'll be joining us at Inventures to present his talk "Everest to Entrepreneurship: How to Scale YOUR Everest " on May 31, 10:15 amShift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Welcome to the first in our series of Inventures teaser episodes leading up to our event on May 31. My guests on this initial episode are Christine Maligec from Marsh Canada and Ron Markowski from the NAIT School of Business . Representing the industry and academic perspectives, respectively, they join me for a brief look at their panel topic on critical thinking entitled "Critical thinking to mitigate risk in a chaotic information economy." Really it could have been called "Get ready to learn critical thinking skills to help you avoid analysis by paralysis." Ron and Christine are engaging, knowledgeable and great speakers. This episode only gives you a shallow look (a teaser!) at what their panel on May 31 at 10am will be all about, but I think it gives enough to whet your appetite! I hope you'll enjoy this episode as much as I did. AND I can't wait for their panel!I hope to see you at Inventures and welcome to Shift!BiosChristine Maligec, Vice President of Enterprise Risk Service, Marsh Canada  Christine has 20 years of combined insurance as well as 15 years of risk management experience. She has a diverse background of experience in the public sector including education, health and municipalities as well in the private sector.  Christine also gives back by contributing time to her local Risk & Insurance Management Society Chapter and is a Public Member for the Alberta College of Pharmacy.Dr. Ron Markowski, Program Coordinator/instructor, Critical Thinking, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, School of BusinessRon is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and international keynote speaker. He's worked extensively with public and private sector organizations, and has helped entities ranging from start-ups, to large multinationals. In addition, his extensive research has demystified Critical Thinking into a simple four-quadrant model that can be easily understand and quickly applied by individual, teams, and organizations alike.  This model has proven to be particularly effective in data-driven environments that require diagnostic and analytical thinking to quickly identify and respond to emerging threats or opportunities.  Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Calgary-based Qualisure Diagnostics is making some serious inroads with the introduction of their flagship cancer diagnostic tool Thyroid Guide Px. The company uses machine intelligence to create molecular tests that enhance cancer care by identifying features that help oncologists personalize treatment. By knowing  which cancers are most aggressive, and which ones are more likely to respond to certain treatments oncologists can more effectively create a personalized treatment strategy for patients.Sit back and settle in as I talk with Dr. Oliver Bathe not only about his company's innovation but the work he's done to transition from being a medical practitioner to a full-time entrepreneur.BioOliver Bathe, Chief Executive OfficerOliver is a surgical oncologist with over 25 years of clinical experience. He has an excellent understanding of the challenges that patients and clinicians face during their cancer journey. His research has mostly been translational in nature, applying cutting edge technological solutions to real clinical problems. In 2004, he founded a large tumor bank that currently houses over 23,000 samples from over 4,000 patients. His involvement in The Cancer Genome Atlas Project and his leadership in the Clinical Proteomic Analysis Consortium have spurred his interest in systems biology and bioinformatics. He also has experience in clinical trials, serving in leadership positions on several national and international clinical trial groups. He has directed a research program, attracting over $2 million to research related to several technologies, the majority of which have been transferred to Qualisure.Adapted from company bio.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Since the inception of line arrays (the big speakers you see stage left and right at major events) there hasn't been much innovation in the realm of sound reinforcement. Until PK Sound came along, and introduced their Trinity speaker systems, the industry's first robotically controlled line source.James Oliver sat down with me to discuss how their innovation is changing the industry and creating a line array that is multi-faceted, and constantly adaptable. Gone are the days where speakers are hung and sound people hope for the best.Grab a coffee, settle in and get ready to learn about the people who make the shows we go to sound good!BioJames OliverJames is the Chief Strategy Officer with PK Sound, the robotic line array company. James joined PK in April 2020 following a 10-year stint with Adamson Systems Engineering where, as Director of Sales and Marketing, he oversaw a period of 400% growth and the establishment of 45 international distributors. He has been instrumental in building out PK Sound's 5-year product roadmap, go-to-market strategy, and marketing plan.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Charles Buchanan is a man on a mission to build community and help end technology poverty for non-profit social entreprises. Through his company Technology Helps, Charles and his team take a unique approach to assessing the technology needs of a social enterprise. They always start with asking why. Why does the enterprise exist, what are its goals and how can technology help them to achieve their goals? Arguably a non-traditional IT approach, but isn't that how it is with innovation? It's not status quo.Sit back and settle in. Learn more about Charles, his company, his mentorship of aspiring black entrepreneurs and support for black-run charity and the paths he's taken to get to where he is. Welcome to Shift!BioCharles BuchananCharles is the Founder and CEO of Technology Helps. As an innovator and visionary, he has a distinguished history in corporate technology leadership (including Suncor Energy, Deloitte, Oracle, MNP, and Royal LePage), management consulting, and entrepreneurship. Charles has a has founded and worked with numerous technology companies in diverse areas such as online gaming, fintech, environmental protection, and more. He continues to be an authority in the tech space and has provided expert advice and implemented large-scale technology solutions for enterprise clients.He's a passionate contributor to the community and has served on various non-profit boards for the past 20 years, including his role as Board Chair at Centre for Newcomers. He currently serves on several boards: Calgary Black Chambers (co-founder); The Common Approach to Impact Measurement; Momentum (finance committee); Black Business and Professional Association. He also serves on the grant committee at Calgary Foundation and an entrepreneur mentor at Venture Mentors Service of Alberta (VMSA). Charles is a founder and advisory board member of UpRising Academy helping talented at-risk youth in Jamaica in STEM and sports.  He holds an MBA from the Smith School of Business at Queen's University and a B.Sc. (Hons) in electrical and computer engineering. When recharging, Charles can be found on the golf course or hiking in the beautiful mountains near his home in Calgary and spending meaningful time with his family.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Summit Nanotech has been on fire for the last little while. Company founder and CEO Amanda Hall was the $1 Million grand prize winner of the Women in Cleantech Challenge in 2021. They took first place in the smart cities, vibrant communities category at Inventure$ 2020. They were named one of the 50 most investable clean teach companies at the of 2022, and they started 2023 by raising CDN $67 MIllion for lithium extraction technology to support the energy transition to net zero.We sat down with the company's Vice President of Technology & Innovation and technology co-developer, Dr. Kelly Krahulic to learn a little more about Summit Nanotech, where the ideas came from, where the company's headed and a whole lot more!Welcome to Shift.BioKelly Krahulic, Vice President, Technology & Innovation, Summit Nanotech Kelly is a PhD chemist (University of Calgary) with broad expertise in catalyst design, air-sensitive synthetic chemistry, and technical communication. In addition to her deep technical knowledge, she has experience facilitating the smart growth of start-ups through technology development, grant discovery, strategic business development planning, marketing, and management.  Since 2018, Kelly has been the leader of technology development at Summit Nanotech, working to develop a direct method of lithium extraction with a focus on improving speed of extraction, reducing environmental impact, and unlocking the lithium supply required to expedite the electromobility transition.Kelly is passionate about the potential of green technology to provide economic and environmental sustainability for current and future generations. In her spare time, you can find her with her kids, most likely in the mountains.Summit Nanotech Summit Nanotech is a cleantech organization transforming how the world accesses lithium for the global energy transition. Through their patented and sustainable direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology, Summit Nanotech is conserving natural resources and optimizing operations for lithium producers in Chile and Argentina. Established in 2018 and headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Summit Nanotech has been awarded to the 2022 Future 50 for fastest growing sustainability companies in Canada, the Foresight 50 for most investable cleantech venture, and the Solar Impulse Foundation's Efficient Solutions Label. Learn more at summitnanotech.comShift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Welcome to the third and final installment of our Edmonton Startup Week podcast series.On today's episode I sat down with the mind-expanding Andrew Goldner from GrowthX to learn about the work he and his partners are doing to help build innovation and venture capital opportunities in Alberta and beyond. (You'll learn more about the Alberta Innovates Revenue Accelerator in our interview.)GrowthX is an early-stage venture capital fund, but they do things differently. They've sequenced the path to product-market fit to help founders reduce the time it takes to get investment-ready.  By working with founders, GrowthX then generates reliable insights that earns them the opportunity to invest.A few of our many stops along the way include a discussion around what Andrew calls the signal to noise ratio and how founders need to protect their time, the importance of humility and the need to learn from our mistakes, and his mantra that everything communicates.Welcome to Shift!Bio    Andrew Goldner is a Founding Partner of GrowthX, an pre-Series A venture fund that he started in Silicon Valley with three other go-to-market experts.Andrew has been in the technology sector since 1998, based in New York City, Hong Kong, Singapore, Palo Alto and Nashville.Andrew began his career in technology as a lawyer for the early Internet pioneers in Search (Alta Vista and Yahoo), AdTech (DoubleClick), SaaS (Salesforce) and others while practicing law. He left private practice at Skadden Arps to join DoubleClick leading up to the Google acquisition and then co-founded a financial news business at Thomson Financial leading to the Reuters acquisition. He then served as Publisher of Reuters News and then Co-Founder and Managing Director of the company's legal media business in Asia Pacific and the Middle East.In Silicon Valley, Andrew was early at Guidespark, an employee communication SaaS startup, and BrightTalk, a content marketing SaaS startup. He then co-founded GoodMoney to democratize high-performance, values-based investing. During that “wonderful learning opportunity,” Andrew met his current partners and co-founded GrowthX.Andrew is a Kauffman Fellow, Regional Board Member of Venture for America, and a Mentor at Endeavor, Alchemist Accelerator and Galvanize. Andrew is a visiting lecturer at Vanderbilt's Owen Graduate School of Management where he teaches two popular multi-day seminars: Entreprenurial Sales and Venture Capital. Andrew received his undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati and his law degree from Georgetown University.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Welcome to part two of our Edmonton Startup Week podcast series. On today's episode I had the great pleasure of sitting down with James Keirstead from Levven Electronics to talk about a host of topics that should resonate with every entrepreneur as well as inspire those who may be considering entrepreneurialism. James is a tireless advocate for entrepreneurs in Edmonton and Alberta, and this candid interview really sheds light on his approach to business and life.BioJames is responsible for managing the vision and growth of Levven Electronics, developing and executing long-term corporate strategies, and building relationships with partners, stakeholders and investors.Levven has a vision of making intelligent buildings available to everyone. Focused on delivering technology and products to advantage new construction, Levven's promise is mobile device access and control of building infrastructure that lowers building costs, speeds construction and conserves building materials.He is a life-long entrepreneur with a commitment to innovation, excellence and enhancing people's lives. Prior to founding Levven, James and his partners founded Blue Falls Manufacturing, makers of Arctic Spas and expanded its footprint to over 30 countries.James is an active member and contributor to several entrepreneur organizations including Entrepreneurs' Organization, the A100, Edmonton Regional Innovation Network, and Rainforest Alberta.When he isn't focused on the business, you can find him on Edmonton mountain bike trails or hanging out with his family.Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.