On October 22, 2020, join Avenue Magazine and Alberta Innovates for Innovation Adaptation, an online panel discussion of how Calgary’s technology sector trajectory has changed due to the economic downturn coupled with the pandemic.
“Today, Albertans are harnessing data, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, clean technology and other emerging technologies to build new industries and create new opportunities in existing sectors. Alberta Innovates is very proud to be a sponsor of Avenue’s Innovation Adaptation event,” said Carmelle Boston, director of brand marketing for Alberta Innovates.
Avenue‘s fall innovation panellists will tackle distinctly local problems and solutions, such as the need for a diversification of our investment ecosystem, the abundance of educated talent in our city, and the reason why so many tech companies choose to start and ultimately stay in this city.
The four panellists, who are bolstering Calgary’s economic future with contemporary approaches to tech and innovation, represent varied industries including health, start-up, social enterprise, and food and beverage.
Crystal Phillips, the health sector lead for Thin Air Labs, an investment firm focused on investing in regenerative opportunities, is a former national level speed skater and board director at the Branch Out Neurological Foundation, a charity she co-founded in 2010 that has raised over $3 million and funded more than 90 research projects and programs across Canada. At Thin Air Labs, Phillips is building a health-focused fund and ecosystem to provide support for health ventures in Calgary.
Bobbie Racette, founder and CEO of Virtual Gurus, a talent-as-a-service platform that matches users with Canadian and US-based virtual assistants and freelancers via a proprietary matchmaking algorithm, was recently named both Canada’s Indigenous Entrepreneur of the Year and Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, Prairies Region by Startup Canada.
Dr. Alina Turner, the co-founder of HelpSeekers, a social enterprise focused on scaling systems innovation to accelerate social change across Canada, previously led the implementation of Canada’s first Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS) and designed Calgary’s Housing First System of Care.
Erik Westblom, the founder of Provision Analytics, a data-driven software company that tracks more than 50 per cent of the refrigerated produce shipments in Canada, had a career in software and finance for 16 years, where he contributed to Alberta tech successes like 3esi and Cortex, executing deals worth more than $40 million.
The Innovation Adaptation event is hosted with the generous support of our platinum sponsor, Alberta Innovates, and our gold sponsors ENMAX, Calgary Economic Development, and Chartered Professional Accountants Alberta.
“The utility industry— like so many sectors — is facing a period of transformation,” said Jana Mosley, senior vice president power delivery, ENMAX, “ENMAX is embracing new and innovative technologies to ensure we’re well-positioned to serve our customer’s needs now and into the future.”
“We believe that the companies in Calgary that embrace digital transformation and adapt to a business environment where innovative thinking is rewarded will not only survive this paradigm shift in how our economy functions, but will prosper,” said Mary Moran, president and chief executive officer, Calgary Economic Development.
Innovation Adaptation: an online discussion is Tuesday, October 22 at 1 p.m. Tickets are free and participants can register online here.