Overview
Alberta’s technology businesses can access a variety of programs and supports delivered by the Government of Alberta, Alberta Innovates and other partner organizations.
Through programs and grants to organizations within Alberta’s innovation system, the Alberta government leverages investments of large enterprises, the federal government and organizations from other jurisdictions to support the commercialization of technologies from Alberta companies, and build innovation capacity in targeted areas.
In addition to helping businesses access key programs, strategic partnerships between advanced technology businesses, targeted jurisdictions (Mexico, Europe and Asia) and Alberta’s innovation system are also encouraged to:
- drive knowledge economy growth
- attract innovation investments
- accelerate diversification
- enhance economic, social and environmental outcomes
Provincial programs
Innovation Employment Grant
The Innovation Employment Grant encourages economic growth by supporting small and medium-sized businesses that invest in research and development (R&D) with a grant worth up to 20% of qualifying expenditures.
GreenSTEM
GreenSTEM, is a pan-Alberta pilot for cleantech company creation and high-tech entrepreneurial development.
Delivered in partnership with the University of Alberta, University of Calgary, and University of Lethbridge, the pilot supports recent Masters and Ph.D. graduates pursuing high-tech entrepreneurship through funding, expertise and infrastructure.
Alberta Innovates supports
Alberta Innovates receives funding to support and accelerate research, innovation and entrepreneurship across sectors. Learn more about Alberta Innovates' key programs and supports for Alberta companies.
Alberta Innovates TIER program
Alberta Innovates is delivering a program as part of the industry funded Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) System. The TIER Economic Recovery Program helps fund shovel-ready projects that will accelerate innovation in support of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction, increase long-term economic competitiveness and stimulate growth in critically important sectors of Alberta’s economy.
Alberta Innovation Voucher and Micro-Voucher Programs
Alberta Innovation Voucher and Micro-Voucher programs offer funding for eligible Alberta SMEs in technology and knowledge-based sectors.
Product Demonstration Program
The Product Demonstration Program is a focused, business-to-business partnership that offers applicants access to funding and key resources to help accelerate their product to commercialization.
Technology Development Advisors
Alberta Innovates’ Technology Development Advisors provide front-line business coaching and technology development advice to Alberta SMEs in technology or knowledge-based sectors to accelerate businesses on their journey to develop innovative technology.
Connect with a technology development advisor for one-on-one guidance, community connections, and assistance with identifying capital supports.
Innovation centres
The Alberta government and Alberta Innovates support a number of research and innovation centres that accelerate the growth, development and commercialization of emerging technologies across industries. These centres help advance knowledge in emerging technology areas and increase sector capacity by encouraging cross-industry collaboration and technology commercialization.
amii
The Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (amii) partners with companies of all sizes, across industries, to drive innovation strategy and provide practical guidance and advice, corporate training and talent recruitment services. Based in Edmonton, amii is one of 3 artificial intelligence hubs in Canada and draws on the world-leading artificial intelligence and machine learning expertise at the University of Alberta.
Alberta Carbon Conversion Technology Centre – InnoTech Alberta
The Alberta Carbon Conversion Technology Centre (ACCTC) is key to helping SMEs accelerate the development of commercially viable GHG reduction technologies relevant to Alberta’s industrial sectors. The ACCTC is a unique facility built to help innovators and SMEs demonstrate CO2 capture and conversion technologies and offers the following:
- outdoor testing at semi commercial rates under industrial conditions
- 25 tonnes of CO2 per day supplied in flue gas from adjacent natural gas fired power plant
- carbon capture capabilities that provide concentrated CO2 if required
- five parallel gravelled test bays for technology evaluations with office space and conference room available
TECTERRA
TECTERRA is a non-profit organization that helps start-ups and SMEs develop and commercialize technology quickly and efficiently. The organization focuses on innovative geospatial technologies and their application in different markets such as:
- energy
- environment
- clean tech
- climate
- food and fibre
- smart cities
TECTERRA offers programs targeted to the geospatial sector and supports projects with a high likelihood of reaching the market and maximizing economic potential.
ACAMP
The Alberta Centre for Advanced Micro and Nano Technology Products (ACAMP) is a non-profit organization that provides specialized services to micro and nanotechnology start-ups and SMEs. Businesses can access supports for:
- product marketing
- business development
- manufacturing and testing
Through simulations, prototyping, testing, commercialization, and large-scale manufacturing, ACAMP supports companies through a wide variety of nanotechnology product-development activities.
Federal programs
The Alberta government leverages programs and resources available to innovative Alberta companies by collaborating with the federal government across a range of departments and agencies.
Strategic Innovation Fund
The Strategic Innovation Fund is a federal program that provides funding to firms of all sizes across Canada’s industrial and technology sectors to support large-scale, transformative and collaborative projects valued at $10 million or higher.
Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Incentive Program
The federal Scientific Research and Experimental Development tax incentive benefits businesses of all sizes across sectors that conduct research and development that will lead to new, improved or technologically advanced products or processes.