Overview

Alberta’s technology and innovation sector is driving economic growth and diversification across the province. Since its initial launch in 2022, the Alberta Technology and Innovation Strategy has delivered real results – creating and funding hundreds of companies, generating thousands of patents and licences and creating thousands of jobs. Government investments have leveraged millions of dollars in private capital, fuelling Alberta’s rise as a destination of choice for innovators, entrepreneurs and investors.

But Alberta’s economy and industries are evolving rapidly, shaped by shifting global demand and an increasingly competitive and complex innovation landscape. New opportunities are emerging in key industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technologies and health innovation. To ensure Alberta continues to lead and that all Albertans benefit, the strategy was refreshed in spring 2026 to respond to these global and ecosystem shifts, build on proven successes, focus on areas of competitive strength and fully unlock the potential of Alberta’s innovation ecosystem.

The Alberta Technology and Innovation Strategy leads a bold vision for a thriving innovation ecosystem that drives economic diversification, creates high-value jobs, and positions Alberta as a global leader in technology and innovation. This strategy empowers innovators, entrepreneurs and businesses to transform ideas into scalable, market-ready solutions by strengthening pathways to market access, accelerating the creation and growth of scaleup firms, and attracting global talent and investment. It reinforces Alberta’s reputation as a destination of choice for innovation, commercialization, and long‑term economic growth.

The Alberta Technology and Innovation Strategy sets 3 key goals to establish Alberta as a global technology leader. Each goal identifies a variety of initiatives to advance the sector, some of which are already in place.

Resources

Our vision

Alberta is a destination of choice for companies to innovate, commercialize, and scale in high-impact sectors. By building on our strengths and embracing new opportunities, we are creating the conditions for long-term prosperity and global leadership.

Goals at a glance

Creating jobs

The Alberta Technology and Innovation Strategy seeks to create 20,000 new jobs for Albertans by 2030.

Generating revenue

Alberta’s technology companies could generate $5 billion in annual revenue by 2030.

Goal 1

Enhance commercialization and market expansion

Position Alberta as a global leader in deploying transformative technologies by turning innovation into real world impact. This goal ensures Alberta's breakthroughs do not just stay in labs, they scale, succeed, are adopted and shape global markets.

  • Outcomes

    Commercialization powerhouse

    • Alberta entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) bring innovations to market faster, backed by streamlined support, funding, and intellectual property pathways.

    Global recognition

    • Alberta's technology and innovation successes shine on the world stage, drawing international investment, partnerships, and top-tier talent.

  • Strategic actions

    Advance commercialization

    • Establish initiatives that support moving innovations from lab to market and generate IP in key sectors, including defence, aerospace, artificial intelligence and AI sovereignty, and health sectors.

    Fuel startup growth

    • Continue to deliver flagship innovation programs, increase access to incubators, accelerators, and access to capital networks to strengthen Alberta’s technology companies’ ability to accelerate product development and speed to market.
    • Strengthen workforce and business supports through initiatives such as the Canada Alberta Productivity Grant, Workforce Partnership Grants, Futurpreneur, and Community Futures.

    Promote technology adoption

    • Continue supporting small and medium enterprises with technology and equipment upgrades through programs like the Alberta Manufacturing Productivity Grant.
    • Promote technology adoption across industries to boost productivity and competitiveness.

    Unlock market access and tech sector growth

    • Use Alberta government procurement as a catalyst for innovation and create programs that connect Alberta businesses to global supply chains.
    • Leverage the Investment and Growth Fund to attract high impact investments that align with Alberta’s strategic priorities.

    Drive intellectual property excellence

    • Establish an Alberta Intellectual Property Office for centralized support for patenting, licensing, and monetizing innovation.
    • Implement programs to attract, develop, and retain skilled talent by partnering with academic institutions and industry leaders to offer specialized training, internships and career development opportunities that build Alberta’s capacity in intellectual property strategy and commercialization.

 

Goal 2

Increase access to growth capital

Fuel Alberta's innovation economy by expanding access to growth capital, empowering startups to scale, mature, and compete globally.

  • Outcomes

    Empower innovators, entrepreneurs and SMEs with access to capital

    • Alberta’s entrepreneurs have access to the capital required to scale and grow, create jobs and find markets for their products and services.

    Mature and scaling innovation ecosystem

    • Alberta’s technology and innovation ecosystem includes more scaling and mature companies.

  • Strategic actions

    Enable co-investment

    • Enable Alberta Innovates and the Alberta Enterprise Corporation to partner public and private capital to reduce investment risk and attract larger funding pools for Alberta’s entrepreneurs and small businesses. This action prioritizes high potential technology companies and supports their growth, job and IP creation, and market expansion while fostering a collaborative investment ecosystem.

    Attract venture capital

    • Recapitalize Alberta Enterprise Corporation to increase venture capital capacity and strengthen funding pathways for high potential Alberta companies.

    Enhance company investment readiness

    • Develop targeted training and mentorship programs to help Alberta based companies become investment ready. These initiatives will equip businesses with the skills to attract and secure growth capital, build strong investor relationships, and communicate their value effectively. Support will also include guidance on intellectual property strategies to improve competitiveness and market readiness.

 

Goal 3

Optimize the technology and innovation ecosystem

Create a responsive, interconnected ecosystem that empowers Alberta's startups and scale-ups to thrive, driving commercialization, attracting global investment, and creating high-value jobs.

  • Outcomes

    Integrated support

    • Alberta’s technology and innovation ecosystem provides seamless supports with coordination between supports and services.

    Innovation network

    • Alberta’s technology and innovation ecosystem is well-coordinated, with strong collaboration between government and support agencies.

    Smart, streamlined, and secure government services

    • Alberta government services are faster, more streamlined, and leverage new technologies.

    Fair share of federal funding

    • Alberta’s per capita share of federal funding is equivalent to that of the 3 largest provinces.

  • Strategic actions

    Promote the Alberta advantage

    • Advance advocacy and partnerships to secure Alberta’s fair share of federal innovation and commercialization funding, including defence-related investments.
    • Position Alberta as a national and international leader in the priority sectors.
    • Strengthen Alberta’s visibility and competitiveness to attract multinational companies and position the province as a preferred location for major technology development and defence-sector initiatives.

    Drive government and public sector innovation adoption

    • Encourage the adoption of AI and other technologies and processes within government and across the public sector.
    • Pilot advanced solutions and create innovation sandboxes to foster a culture of public sector experimentation and continuous improvement.

    Safeguard Alberta's intellectual property

    • Develop policies and supports to safeguard Alberta’s intellectual property and proprietary knowledge.
    • Expand access to legal and advisory services and strengthen education on intellectual property strategy.

    Leverage artificial intelligence and enhance cybersecurity

    • Use AI to improve business efficiency and scalability across Alberta’s technology and innovation ecosystem.
    • Strengthen protection for Alberta government and private assets through CyberAlberta and public or private partnerships.

    Regulatory streamlining and red tape reduction

    • Simplify regulatory processes to reduce barriers, accelerate approvals, and enable businesses to innovate and grow with confidence.

    Build innovation synergies

    • Coordinate with other provinces to build purposeful collaborations, share strengths, and accelerate the commercialization and adoption of emerging technologies.
    • Ensure Alberta’s innovation landscape is cohesive and globally competitive.
    • Strengthen collaboration between post-secondary institutions, industry, and community partners within the innovation ecosystem, leveraging resources, facilities, and talent.
    • Expand mentorship and business skills networks.
    • Enable data-driven collaboration through an innovation dashboard and ecosystem-level data sharing platforms.

Next steps

The Alberta Technology and Innovation Strategy is designed to be adaptive and responsive to Alberta’s evolving technology and innovation landscape. In the coming months and years, the strategy will drive the implementation of targeted initiatives across priority sectors, ensuring that Alberta’s tech leaders have access to the resources and supports they need to succeed.

Progress and outcomes will be monitored through transparent reporting and ongoing stakeholder engagement, ensuring that the strategy delivers measurable impact for Albertans. Alberta’s government is committed to building a resilient, inclusive and globally competitive innovation ecosystem that empowers Alberta to create high-value jobs and shape the future.