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Welcome to this week's Sunday Briefing. In this issue, revisit a significant series of investments into Calgary's tech ecosystem, learn about the Alberta-made drug test tackling breast cancer, and find out which local firm was named a top AI startup to watch in 2023. Have a great day. We'll see you again Thursday.

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Innovation funding flowing rapidly into the Calgary tech ecosystem

More than a year ago, the federal government launched two regional development agencies to serve the unique needs of Western Canadian provinces. To replace the agency known as Western Economic Diversification, the government established Pacific Economic Development Canada for B.C. and Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) for the Prairie provinces.

It’s no surprise that these organizations have been dishing out funding to their respective geographies. However, when compiled together, the funding announcements for initiatives in Calgary’s tech scene are immense – and perhaps more significant than understood by most people. To illustrate this, Derek Armstrong, a manager for innovation ecosystems at PrairiesCan, recently assembled a list of 13 major investments by his agency meant to accelerate economic diversification and local innovation. The list includes the following:

• $2.1 million to establish the Energy Transition Centre in downtown Calgary to incubate and grow energy transition solutions (Innovate Calgary / Avatar Innovations)

• $2 million to help complete the Platform Innovation Centre, a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs (Platform Calgary)

• $700,000 for an agri-food technology pre-accelerator for startups (Olds College / SVG Thrive)

• $4 million to establish the Alberta Centre for Advanced Diagnostics to fast-track new medical diagnostics technologies (University of Calgary)

• $1.4 million for the Growth Catalyst Program to support leadership teams of high-potential SMEs (Mount Royal University)

• $500,000 to enable youth-led clean energy projects and work-integrated learning (Student Energy)

His full account of Calgary ecosystem investments is on LinkedIn.

🤝 Funding, Deals + Partnerships

• International IT giant Mphasis secured $7 million from the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund to accelerate talent development and attraction. The funds are meant to support the recruitment of 500-plus tech workers and establish 100 work-integrated learning opportunities for students. Get the full story.

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📰 News To Know

• A blood test created by Calgary-based Syantra could improve breast cancer screening. Sarah Offin / Global News

• AltaML, an AI software solutions firm, was named to the Vector AI10, a list of Canadian AI companies to watch in 2023. Get the full list.

• The Energy Transition Centre, which is focused on innovating clean transition technologies for business, opened its doors for student involvement. Nazeefa Ahmed / The Gauntlet

• Biomedical engineering students at the University of Calgary are taking part in the MedTech Talent Accelerator Program, which helps students obtain internships related to their research studies. Stephanie Colucci / Schulich School of Engineering

• Thin Air Labs' health lead and head of experience Crystal Phillips has been awarded the distinguished Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee medal for her service to Alberta. Leah Sarich / Thin Air Labs

• ICYMI: Ownly CEO Jason Hardy was named a HousingWire Tech Trendsetter of 2022. Details

📊 By The Numbers

• "Between 2019 and 2021, venture capital investment in Alberta increased by 147 percent, with a reported $227 million across 39 deals in 2019 and $561 million invested in 87 deals last year." – From 'Statements by Alberta’s Minister of Innovation raise doubts about the return of the investor tax credit' in BetaKit

💡 POV: Ideas and Insights

• Andrew MacIsaac, CEO and co-founder of Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation, joined Startup TNT to discuss the founding API, keeping the life sciences startup momentum going in Alberta and through Canada, and about acting as a mentor and advisor. Start reading.

📸 Photo Of The Week: Plug and Play

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