Alberta's Runwithit receives big investment for digital twins

Welcome to this week's Sunday Briefing. In this issue, read about a new role for Mayor Jyoti Gondek, a new venture fund launching from Calgary, and investments for game developers. Plus, nine other stories you might’ve missed.

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🗳️ Question of the Week

Runwithit receives big investment from Indigenous-led fund

Runwithit Synthetics (RWI) — an Alberta-based company specializing in 3D synthetic modelling, data visualization, and digital twin technology — has received a multi-million dollar investment from Raven Indigenous Capital Partners, North America’s only Indigenous-led and owned VC intermediary.

Regions and cities are using the company’s digital models as “sandboxes” to explore the potential impact of natural or human-caused events. These scenarios could involve climate, sustainability, energy, or public health challenges. To date, RWI has worked with 14 municipalities in Edmonton, Calgary, Los Angeles County, and Nashville. Its work has also won an award for the United Nation’s global call for innovative solutions for decarbonizing.

“[Decision-makers] are under pressure to future-proof their critical infrastructure against all kinds of new threats, from climate risk to cyber attacks, all while balancing the costs of these investments,” said Devon Krainer, a Raven investment associate. “RWI's AI-powered tech enables the rapid development of scenario-based models that reveal decades-forward impacts on people, infrastructure, and the environment.”

Krainer added: “Whether modelling the Edmonton region’s hydrogen energy hub, or working with an Alberta-based First Nation to capture what the future of their community and youth services look like, RWI provides leaders with decision-support tools towards more equitable and sustainable futures.”

RWI said the new backing will allow the company to grow its team, add more products, and expand regional access. The organization will execute these goals through market development and partnerships, and developing its digital twin infrastructure globally.

Raven’s backing of RWI marks its second investment in Alberta this year.

🤝 Funding, Deals, and Partnerships

• Evan McCann, strategic advisor at Fasken, is raising a venture fund. The investments will back “amazing Canadian founders as early as possible.” Evan McCann

• Long-term agreement between Linde and Dow is a landmark win for an Invest Alberta client. Invest Alberta celebrated an announcement of Linde’s long-term agreement for the supply of hydrogen, nitrogen, and additional services to Dow’s net-zero carbon emissions project. Invest Alberta

• Innovator of the Week: Matt Toner brings funding to Alberta game developers. The Scaffold Institute provides instruction, mentorship, and workshops for local gaming entrepreneurs. Avenue Calgary

• Premier League pilots StellarAlgo platform as startup finishes sportstech program. Earlier this year, 10 companies from around the world secured their spot in the 2024 Class of the Comcast NBCUniversal SportsTech Accelerator. Calgary.Tech

📰 Need To Know

• Mayor Jyoti Gondek wants Calgary at forefront of worldwide energy transition. The municipal leader has been named vice president of the World Energy Cities Partnership. CTV News

• UCalgary researcher developing blood test to detect breast cancer. Kristina Rinker said her lab has been working for a decade on developing and testing the procedure. Calgary Herald

• Lithium industry advances in Canada with continuous DLE technology. Kevin Piepgrass, COO at LithiumBank Resources, explores the company’s lithium projects in Western Canada and discusses its recent adoption of the new tech. Innovation News Network

• UCalgary-developed nutrient sensor device could transform agriculture industry. Calgary Sensors Lab received a $1.7M investment in partnership with Livestock Water Recycling. University of Calgary

• Elevating game design education with Alberta catalyzer. Many individuals struggle to find comprehensive, career-oriented education in game design and development, whether they are new to the industry or looking to advance their skills. Taproot Edmonton

• Women-led collaboration between scholars in Alberta and West Africa empowers social change. Social workers and scientists explore transformative questions, supported by Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships. University of Calgary

• Melanie Rogers thrilled to return to Mount Royal University. It wasn’t just the role of vice-president of university advancement at MRU that attracted her. Calgary Economic Development