Tech Thursday spins out

Welcome to this week's Sunday Briefing. In this issue, read about agritech funding, plus five other stories you may have missed.

Have a great day. We'll see you again on Wednesday.

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🗳️ Question of the Week

Funding to benefit food producers and open cannabis markets

Alberta Innovates has awarded three grants to research teams at the University of Alberta, University of Calgary and Calgary-based private company LWR Technologies to sponsor unique research supporting Alberta’s vital agricultural sector. Each project is designed to open new markets or develop technologies that will save producers money and increase crop yields.

The $1.1 million in funding will go to projects focused on developing:

• Better ways to incorporate cannabidiol (CBD), into products such lotions or water-based products including food and beverages

• New light-filtering films that can be applied to outdoor greenhouse exteriors

• Real-time wireless fertilizer monitoring through RF-microwave sensors

The funding comes from Alberta Innovates Agrifood and Bioindustrial Innovation (ABI) intake.

“Alberta has long been and will continue to be an agriculture powerhouse. Finding innovative approaches and technology to improve yield, product quality, and environmental stewardship is both deeply embedded in the culture of the industry, and critical to maintaining and enhancing our competitiveness,” said Mark Summers, associate vice president, agriculture and environment, Alberta Innovates. “By funding research and development in Alberta, we’re supporting technology development that will benefit communities within the province, across the country, and around the world.”

🤝 Funding, Deals, and Partnerships

• The Aerospace Accelerator Program has opened its first round of applications. The program is funded by Calgary Economic Development’s Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund and Prairies Economic Development Canada, and supported by inaugural industry partners. Innovate Calgary

📰 Need To Know

• Calgary tech company opens office to workers displaced by Jasper wildfire. The Showpass Calgary office is located steps away from Heritage Station and offers a fully equipped workspace along with complimentary breakfast and lunch prepared by an in-house chef. Showpass

• Building a thriving tech community in the Prairies with Tech Thursdays. Tech Thursdays are weekly events held in both Calgary and Winnipeg, designed to bring the tech community together. Digital Journal

• 15 faculty members named UCalgary Research Excellence Chairs. Prestigious program champions research prowess and leadership across disciplines. University of Calgary

• Society 5.0 and SAIT launch strategic partnership and new micro-credential course on emerging technologies and AI for leaders. Understanding how to design and deliver digital solutions is a key pillar in an organization’s digital transformation, but many leaders are unclear as to what technologies will be required or how to go about decision-making. Society 5.0

• TC Energy eyes data centre growth as potential opportunity. The pipeline company says it is uniquely poised to capitalize on the rapid expansion of electricity-hungry data centres. Calgary Herald