Alberta Innovates is putting more than $14 million into infrastructure designed to help Alberta companies develop, test, and commercialize new technologies across sectors including AI, semiconductors, defence, aerospace, and agri-food.

The investments, made in the first quarter of 2026, generated nearly $48 million in additional funding from partners including the Government of Alberta, post-secondary institutions, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, PrairiesCan, and Farm Credit Canada.

"We are helping build a stronger, more connected innovation ecosystem by aligning industry, academic and government partners around shared infrastructure and commercialization opportunities," said Terry Rock, Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer at Alberta Innovates. "These investments will help Alberta companies accelerate technology development, attract investment and compete in global markets."

Three initiatives are anchored by the funding. At the University of Alberta, the Alberta CREATE initiative will give companies access to semiconductor fabrication, advanced materials, and AI development infrastructure through its NanoFAB and Industry Sandbox for AI Computing platforms. Alberta Innovates says the investment will also support the development of a new Canadian AI Secure Development Environment, enabling Alberta small and medium-sized enterprises to build and scale hardware locally.

A second initiative, DEFENDS, is a province-wide program also led by the University of Alberta focused on building Alberta's defence and dual-use innovation ecosystem. It will give companies access to specialized research facilities, secure testing environments, and commercialization pathways in areas including autonomous systems, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing.

In southern Alberta, the Agri-tech Pipeline Pilot is led by Lethbridge Polytechnic alongside Lakeland College, Olds College, and Medicine Hat College. Working with global innovation provider SVG THRIVE, the initiative aims to build a commercialization pathway connecting agri-food companies with applied research expertise to accelerate research-to-market outcomes.

Alberta Innovates says the approach is designed to be scalable across other sectors and institutions.