.png){kind=logo}
ERINnovation Nation Newsletter October 2026
October arrived in Edmonton with a (insert loud noise coupled with a slap in the face here). Apparently, easing into fall was not on the agenda. It follows on the heels of an incredibly busy September, which wrapped up with Life Sciences Week—and October hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down.
We kicked things off on October 1 with ERIN’s 3rd Annual Get To Know Day. This event has gotten a little bigger and, I think, a little better every year. More than 100 people from across Edmonton’s innovation ecosystem joined us for a full day of connection, learning and conversation.
The very next day, October 2, was the SilverTech Summit, sponsored by ERIN and hosted by the Silver Longevity Business Association, bringing together innovators and community members interested in the growing opportunities around longevity and an aging population.
And, of course, this week is Edmonton Startup Week! From lunch and learns and panel discussions to workshops, community events, fireside chats and social gatherings, there are plenty of opportunities to learn something new and meet people across the community. Check out the full Startup Week calendar and register for the events that you want to attend.
ERIN’s participation in Startup Week will look a little different this year as we focus on the Rainforest Scorecard Survey—and we need your input! The Scorecard measures the health of Edmonton’s innovation ecosystem across six pillars: Culture, Leaders, Resources, Engaged Activities, Role Models, and Policy & Infrastructure. Your feedback helps us understand what’s working, where the gaps are, and where we can do better.
And there’s an incentive! Complete the survey for a chance to win one of two tickets to Upper Bound 2027, valued at $350 each. Take a few minutes and help us better understand the ecosystem we’re building together.
See you around Startup Week!
Janice
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST ERIN MEMBERS!
Byron Scheuer - Home First Solutions
Niromand Jasimi Zindashti - Alberta Robotics
Kyle Plante - Recycling Council of Alberta
Latoya Reid - ReiSpace Technologies Inc.
Ishmail Hubaishy - Cydallia Inc.
Ian Mitchell - Elite Startup Hub
Miranda Stahn - Women + Wealth Inc.
Savanna Lane Penner - University of Alberta
Miguel Seabra - Zavakar Corp
Ayie Austria - Campus Innovator
Jeremy Rowland - A Different Point Of View Coaching
Cindy Furlong - The Today Family Violence Help Centre (The Today Centre)
Latoya Reid - Safe Space Wellness Equity Institute (SSWEI)
We look forward to connecting and collaborating with you in the upcoming weeks and months!
EVENTS, WORKSHOPS AND MORE
ERINnovation Meetup: Where Health Innovation Meets Simulation
Join us for a special ERINnovation Meetup at NAIT’s Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation (CAMS) on October 15!
This won’t be your typical networking event. Explore CAMS through interactive simulation experiences, test your skills in healthcare-themed escape rooms, tour the facility, meet innovators from the Medtech Innovation Highway (MIH) program, and connect with entrepreneurs, researchers, healthcare professionals and industry partners.
The evening will also mark the official launch of the Alberta Medtech Innovation Capacity Building Initiative, led by CAMS at NAIT with support from ERIN’s Community Initiatives program. The new initiative will bring Alberta’s medtech community together through workshops and resources designed to strengthen the knowledge, connections and capacity needed to move health innovations toward commercialization.
Thursday, October 15 | 4:30–7:00 PM Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation (CAMS), NAIT Feltham Centre
World Challenge: Applications NOW OPEN!
Calling all Innovators: Help industry solve real challenges this Fall! Edmonton Unlimited, along with a network of industry and community partners, is running an eight-week program that pairs local innovators with local corporations to solve industry problems.
Industry partners bring the challenge. Innovators form multidisciplinary teams and spend eight weeks testing ideas, building solutions, and exploring the commercial opportunity. At the end of the program, Top teams can access funding through Edmonton Unlimited's Venture Pilots program to put their solution in front of customers.
If successful, top teams will also receive support from Edmonton Unlimited to form and launch their own startup to commercialize their solution. To learn more about the challenges and register to participate, visit the Challenge Webpage.
For questions, email builtworldtech@edmontonunlimited.com
Applications Open: Nucleate Activator
Applications are open for Nucleate Activator, a no-fee, equity-free biotech accelerator for scientists and early-stage founders working in human and planetary health. Participants receive mentorship, workshops, investor and industry connections, and access to Nucleate’s global network.
Open to individuals and teams. Applications accepted on a rolling basis until October 20, 2026. Learn More & Apply
The Power of Potential: Alberta’s Disability Employment Forum & Awards
Kick off Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) Edmonton 2026 on Tuesday, October 6 from 1:00–4:00 PM at NAIT’s Productivity and Innovation Centre.
Hosted by EmployAbilities, Goodwill Industries of Alberta, and Chrysalis, this event brings together businesses, community partners, inclusive employers, and employees with disabilities to celebrate inclusive employment and explore the benefits of building more accessible workplaces.
October 6 | 1:00–4:00 PM NAIT Productivity and Innovation Centre
$36.75
Skilled Trades Without Borders: Alberta–Germany Mobility Pilot
ECCIR is launching a new Alberta–Germany Skilled Trades Mobility Pilot, creating cost-free opportunities for skilled tradespeople to gain international work experience. Edmonton businesses can also participate by hosting a skilled tradesperson from Germany for three months.
Interested tradespeople and businesses are invited to learn more at the program launch:
October 15 | 4:00–6:00 p.m. Edmonton Chamber of Commerce Free to attend; registration required
Build and Grow: Take Your Business to the Next Level
Celebrate Small Business Week with an afternoon of connection, conversation and practical insights for entrepreneurs! Hear from a panel of local business owners as they share lessons from their growth journeys, connect with fellow entrepreneurs, and discover organizations and resources that can help you take your business to the next level.
Friday, October 23 | 1:30–4:00 p.m. Heavy Metal Place, Spruce Grove
Hosted in partnership with ERIN, BDC, ATB Financial, the City of Spruce Grove, AWE, Business Link, Community Futures Capital Region and the Greater Parkland Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Space is limited—register early!
Heart of Chrysalis Fundraising Luncheon
Join Chrysalis for its annual Heart of Chrysalis Fundraising Luncheon, an inspiring afternoon celebrating connection, inclusion and community. Hear powerful stories about the impact of creating meaningful employment, community participation and a sense of belonging for adults with developmental disabilities.
November 5, 2026 | 11:30 a.m. Chateau Louis Hotel, Edmonton
Early bird tickets are available until September 30.
Celebrate Alberta's Innovation Excellence
Join Alberta's innovation community on Friday, November 6 at The Westin Edmonton for the 37th Annual ASTech Awards Gala and Innovation Showcase.
Hosted by Technology Alberta, this premier event celebrates the individuals, organizations, and teams driving science, technology, and innovation across the province. Enjoy an evening of award presentations, an Innovation Showcase, curated networking, and a formal dinner alongside innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and ecosystem leaders from across Alberta.
Friday, November 6, 2026 The Westin Edmonton Tickets are now available.
Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) Ecosystem Fund – Now Open
The Government of Canada has opened the 2027 WES Ecosystem Fund call for proposals, with up to $80 million in non-repayable funding available for projects that strengthen supports for women entrepreneurs across Canada.
Eligible applicants are Canadian incorporated not-for-profit organizations with experience supporting women entrepreneurs. Priority areas include access to equity capital, women-focused accelerators and incubators, and procurement and supplier diversity opportunities.
Project budgets: $250,000–$6 million Application deadline: November 9, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PST
Big Shot: Circular Economy Pitch Night
On November 25, the Recycling Council of Alberta is bringing Big Shot to Edmonton Unlimited!
Five Alberta entrepreneurs will take the stage to pitch their innovative circular business ideas to an audience of potential investors, partners, community leaders and fellow changemakers. Attendees will vote for their favourite pitch, with the winners earning a featured opportunity at next year’s RCA Circular Economy Conference.
Wednesday, November 25, 2026 Edmonton Unlimited $15 RCA members | $20 general public
Come discover some of Alberta’s exciting circular economy innovators and help choose the next Big Shot! Register here
De-Risk Your Tech: Centre for Grid Innovation Tour
October 6 | 2–3 PM | NAIT
Building a cleantech or energy startup? Tour NAIT’s Centre for Grid Innovation and learn how its expertise and facilities can help you test, validate and de-risk your technology on the path to commercialization.
In The Loop: Circular Food Economy
October 7 | Brighton Block
Connect with innovators and industry leaders across Edmonton’s food ecosystem for a day of conversations, demos, local food and networking focused on building a more circular food economy.
How to File a Patent That Will Bring Value to Your Business
October 7 | 12–1:30 PM | Online
Join Trevor Prentice of The IP Link to learn how to make smarter patent decisions, understand costs and timelines, avoid common pitfalls, and build an IP strategy that creates business value.
RCLF Leaders on Running a Business: What Worked, What Didn’t, and Why
October 7 | 3:00–5:00 PM
Hear from Edmonton business leaders as they share lessons learned in marketing, AI, staffing, sales and operations, plus the local resources and relationships that have helped them grow.
Hot Takes: Edmonton Startup Week Edition
October 8 | 4–7 PM | Fu’s Repair Shop
Tech Thursday gets a Startup Week twist with a no-filter conversation featuring Edmonton founders, operators and investors sharing their unpopular opinions and hot takes on the local tech scene.
Perfect Your Pitch
October 15 | 6–8 PM | Virtual
Learn how to sharpen your pitch, attract investors and mentors, and get feedback in this free virtual session for entrepreneurs and early-stage business owners, presented by Alberta’s Regional Innovation Networks.
Work Smarter with Copilot
October 15 | 8:30–10:30 AM | Downtown Edmonton
Learn practical ways to use Microsoft 365 and Copilot to reduce repetitive work, improve productivity and get more from the tools you already use.
Member Monday
October 19 | 10–11 AM | Virtual
Join us for a casual one-hour session to meet fellow ERIN members, learn more about the network and its benefits, and make new connections across Edmonton’s innovation ecosystem.
Comments