Calgary Chamber and Startup TNT partner to elevate Calgary’s tech ecosystem

Welcome to this week's Sunday Briefing. In this issue, read about Startup TNT and Calgary Chamber’s new partnership, plus tell us which emerging tech startup you would like to work for most. Have a great day. We'll see you again Wednesday.

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Calgary Chamber and Startup TNT partner to elevate Calgary’s tech ecosystem

The Calgary Chamber announced a strategic partnership with Startup TNT, a key connector of local and national investors with tech startups in Calgary and across Western Canada.

"Calgary has a vibrant and growing startup ecosystem, with plans to spend over $20 billion on digital transformation in Alberta through 2024, finding new and creative ways to optimize and solve the world’s most pressing problems," said Deborah Yedlin, president and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. Her comments speak to why her organization is increasing its focus on the local innovation economy.

Yedlin also says the city is well-position to succeed in the future due to its competitive taxes, highly educated workforce and being ranked as the third most livable city in the world. “We’re excited for this partnership, to amplify the great work being done across the city and to build the diversity of Calgary’s business community now and into the future.”

“We're excited about partnering with the Calgary Chamber, another organization committed to growing, supporting, and diversifying Calgary's economy,” says Zack Storms, co-founder of Startup TNT.

With over 3,000 technology companies calling Alberta home, its tech industry is drawing global attention. Startups remain a critical component of Alberta’s economy – and Calgary is among its leading ecosystems.

🤝 Funding, Deals + Partnerships

• Recipients announced for 2023 University of Calgary Teaching and Learning Grants, with Dr. Jessica Ayala and Michelle Cullen each taking home $10,000 in the Development and Innovation grant stream. Details

• IrisCX, a smart video platform for virtual product selection, DIY setup, and support announced that Great Northern Insulation (GNI) has selected it for its virtual estimates program. Details

• ICYMI: AB startups raised $225.5M in Q1

• IncluCity announced a collaboration with the City of Calgary to enhance digital services for residents. Details

📰 Need To Know

• Edmonton Unlimited opened the city's newest innovation destination to fuel an inclusive ecosystem. “Now’s a great time to open our doors in the heart of downtown, with a flagship innovation space for all Edmontonians,” said Edmonton Unlimited CEO Catherine Warren. Details

• Schulich students’ startup Equusense aspires to better monitor horse health. UCalgary

• Video highlights Calgary tech’s disruptors and innovators, including Syantra, Viggen Robotics, and Virtual Gurus. Watch

• UCalgary professor develops biowearables to track maternal health. Continue

• Innovate Calgary announced new innovators graduating from its Evolve to Innovate (e2i) program including Dr. Gregory Welch and Tie Wang. Continue

💡 POV: Ideas and Insights

• Casey Reid, product growth lead at Thin Air Labs, explores the tensions and trade-offs of prioritizing growth at different inflection points in a startup's journey

• Chad Bayne from Osler joined The Hard Part with Evan McCann to discuss his background and the potential impact of the next wave of autonomous and AI-focused technologies on everyday life and the legal profession

• Chris Heivly joined Shift by Alberta Innovates to discuss why building great ecosystems is even more important today

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