Who's joining the likes of Barack Obama and Stacey Abrams?

Welcome to this week's Sunday Briefing. In this issue, discover which Alberta companies are headed to SXSW, plus 15 other stories you may have missed. Have a great day. We'll see you again on Wednesday.

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Who’s headed to SXSW 2024?

For almost 40 years, SXSW has been bringing together leaders and innovators in tech, film, music, education, and culture. Held in Austin, Texas, the week-long event is jam-packed with professional development events, in-depth speaking sessions, tech competitions, and exhibitions — not to mention the concerts and comedy shows. It’s no surprise that SXSW attracts big names like President Barack Obama, Stacey Abrams, Scott Galloway, and Elizabeth Warren.

This year, joining the crowd at SXSW is Alberta Innovates and 50 high-potential companies looking to make connections, attract potential investors and take in learning opportunities at one of the world’s largest tech conferences.

Delegates will participate in one-on-one meetings, attend invite-only networking events, and participate in workshops and events — all made possible by the support of Alberta Innovates’ Scaleup GAP program as part of its efforts to grow companies, create jobs, and foster innovation.

The 50 attending companies represent the following sectors:

• Healthtech

• Climatech

• Fintech

• Proptech

• Cybersecurity

• Quantum technologies

• B2B SaaS

• Media SaaS

• Edtech

• Legal tech

• Auto tech

• Audio tech

• Marketplace

SXSW 2024 takes place March 8-16 in Austin, Texas.

🤝 Funding, Deals, and Partnerships

• OpenHouse.ai raises $1.5 million for house-planning and marketing tool. The Calgary-based proptech startup said its seed funding will help it prepare for large-scale investments in product development and improve its sales and marketing. Betakit

• SVG Ventures| THRIVE and Alberta Innovates Launch Global Climate Challenge: Bridging Agriculture and Energy for a Sustainable Future. With the global population projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, the need for increased agricultural production underscores the parallel necessity for sustainable energy solutions. SVG Ventures| THRIVE

• Hackathon winning app, YYC Scan, helps visitors and newcomers access information, services and activities just after they land in Calgary. The Advil Buddies team took home the top prize of $3,000 at the YYC Hacks 2024 hackathon competition, which was held at Bow Valley College over the weekend. Livewire Calgary

• University of Alberta: Shaping a sustainable and innovative future. With the recent expansion of Horizon Europe, the world’s most extensive research and innovation funding programme, into Canada, the University of Alberta is poised to be a key partner of choice in developing solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. Innovation News Network

• SumoQuote acquired by Utah-based roofing software firm JobNimbus. SumoQuote will continue to operate out of its Calgary office. Betakit

• UCalgary: An international innovation leader and prospective partner looking ahead of tomorrow. The University of Calgary seeks partnerships to advance research through Horizon Europe Pillar II opportunities. Innovation News Network

• Alberta Cancer Foundation awards $5M to innovate cancer research. The Game Changer Fund, supported by donors and philanthropy, is the first annual initiative aimed at promoting innovation in cancer. CTV News

📰 Need To Know

• These tech companies are hiring in Calgary right now. From analysts and developers, these tech companies are hiring in Calgary. Curiocity

• Bright Leaders of Calgary: Megan Lee, University of Calgary. As managing director of Quantum City, Dr. Megan Lee collaborates with the university team and industry partners to champion the new quantum economy in Calgary. Calgary Economic Development

• Mount Royal University to open Centre for Health and Innovation in Aging. A new centre at Mount Royal University is looking at the challenges associated with growing older. Jocelyn Rempel joins Global News Morning Calgary with more on the Centre for Health and Innovation in Aging. Global News

• Request for Proposal: 2024 Calgary Region Agribusiness Study. Calgary Economic Development is seeking a partner with extensive knowledge and experience in the agribusiness sector, and superior analytical abilities that can help elucidate sector strengths and gaps relative to competitors and national and global markets. Calgary Economic Development

• More than spreadsheets: YYC Datacon 2024 connects Calgary’s data community. The YYC Data Society’s flagship event YYC DataCon promises to deliver insight into Calgary’s thriving data science scene. It goes ahead at the Platform Calgary Innovation Centre on March 8 and 9, 2024. Livewire Calgary

• Carbon Clean opens office in Calgary supporting growth ambitions in Canada. The company supplies cost-effective industrial carbon capture solutions for essential hard-to-abate industries including oil & gas, cement and steel. Carbon Clean

• From Cowtown to Tech Town: Calgary’s Efforts to Diversify Its Economy Beyond Oil and Gas. In recent years, Calgary’s economy has struggled with the decline in oil prices, pipeline capacity issues, and greater global emphasis on transitioning to renewable energy sources. TheRollaDailyNews

• With doubling revenue and Scotiabank partnership, Solfium is bringing solar power to Latin America. Latin America comprises one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions, and also has some of the lowest levels of solar power in the world. Betakit