Edmonton Startup Week 2021 will take place from October 18-22 with over 50 virtual events from members of the amazing local innovation community, including the Innovate Edmonton and Startup Edmonton teams.
The twelfth annual Launch Party, produced by Innovate Edmonton and its program division Startup Edmonton will be showcasing 10 of Edmonton’s hottest new companies after a competitive application and selection process.
To explain more about what Edmonton Startup Week is all about, below you will find some frequently asked questions about the annual celebration, and how it remains awesome in a virtual format thanks to the tireless efforts of our entire team!
WHAT IS EDMONTON STARTUP WEEK?
Part of a global network of cities brought together by Techstars, Edmonton Startup Week is a five-day celebration of learning, discussion, and networking, bringing entrepreneurs, business leaders, community champions, and friends together to build momentum and opportunity around Edmonton’s unique startup culture and entrepreneurial identity.
I’M NOT AN ENTREPRENEUR. IS IT OK IF I ATTEND AN EVENT?
Absolutely! Edmonton Startup Week is for anyone interested in startups. You don’t have to be an entrepreneur or even have an idea to pitch—all you need is an interest in startups, entrepreneurialism, meeting people, and having a good time!
WHAT IS LAUNCH PARTY?
Launch Party is Edmonton Startup Week’s flagship event that showcases our city’s brightest entrepreneurs and their technology-enabled products, celebrating everything that our startup community has to offer.
WHY IS IT CALLED LAUNCH PARTY?
Launch Party was modeled after the highly successful Launch Party Vancouver series from the Bootup Entrepreneurial Society, which has grown into the city’s flagship tech/startup event.
WHEN WAS THE FIRST LAUNCH PARTY?
The first Launch Party took place in 2010, and it featured the following 10 companies: Beamdog, Connect13, Edistorm, Empire Avenue, FotoJournal, Mailout Interactive, PureInbox, Seek Your Own Proof, SnowSeekers, and Yardstick Software. Since then, over 100 Edmonton companies have launched their businesses during startup week.
SO LAUNCH PARTY IS OLDER THAN EDMONTON STARTUP WEEK?
While the inaugural Launch Party happened in 2010, it wasn’t until 2014 that the first Edmonton Startup Week happened — and Launch Party 5 along with it.
HOW MANY STARTUPS HAVE BEEN PART OF THE LAUNCH PARTY SERIES?
Since 2010, more than 100 Edmonton-based technology companies have launched products at Launch Party events, including rapidly growing teams like ZEPT, Jobber, Drivewyze, Poppy Barley, and Showbie.
“We launched during Edmonton Startup Week and felt the support of the entire entrepreneurial community,” said Kendall Barber, Poppy Barley Co-Founder. “That week we acquired our first customer and our first investor. Since then, we have grown 30-50% year-over-year, which has allowed us to add to our team, open our first store and expand online.”
HOW MANY COMPANIES ARE PART OF THIS YEAR’S LAUNCH PARTY?
This is the 12th annual edition of Launch Party, and it’s sponsored by Parlee McLaws. This year the following 10 companies are showcasing their products:
- Agriolabs Technologies Inc.
- Air Trail
- Areto Labs
- Browse AI
- Elev
- Fly & Fetch
- HRing
- Luuze
- (Re)Waste
- Zipstall
Learn more about the Launch Party 12 companies https://www.edmontonstartupweek.com/launch-party-12.
HOW WERE COMPANIES CHOSEN TO BE INCLUDED IN A LAUNCH PARTY EVENT?
Applications were reviewed by a committee of startup and innovation community members. Companies didn’t need to be in a Startup Edmonton program to qualify for Launch Party, and there was no cost to participate. The 2021 selection committee members included:
- Nathan Ip, Lead Program Manager, Startup Edmonton
- Allie Knull, Founder & CEO, ResumeFree
- Tim Kwok, Analyst, Panache Ventures
WHY IS EDMONTON STARTUP WEEK 2021 VIRTUAL?
Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases and the current restrictions in place, we decided to shift Edmonton Startup Week online. Last year’s virtual week had over 5,000 attendees, 90 community events, and over 2000 online engagements—it was (hashtag) AWESOME and we’re hoping to recreate that this year.
We’re going to do our best to make sure you can celebrate, learn a new skill, and explore a startup’s culture at Edmonton Startup Week and Launch Party 12.
HOW DOES EDMONTON STARTUP WEEK KICKOFF?
To kick off our favourite time of year we’re planning something extra special on October 18, 2021, thanks to our friends at the Downtown Business Association of Edmonton. It involves stickers, swag, and a treasure hunt. Add to your schedule and find out October 18th as we kick off the 8th annual Edmonton Startup Week! Don’t forget to follow @startupedmonton on Twitter and Instagram #yegsw21.
DO I STILL NEED TO BUY TICKETS FOR THIS YEAR’S EDMONTON STARTUP WEEK?
All the events at this year’s Startup Week are free and open to the public, but space is limited for certain events, such as Launch Party 12, sponsored by Parlee McLaws. For other Startup Week events, all you need to do is RSVP.
WHAT ARE COMMUNITY EVENTS AT EDMONTON STARTUP WEEK?
Startup Week is about giving back to the community, having fun, meeting awesome folks, and finding new ways to connect. Events hosted by members of the community are at the heart of Startup Week, and opportunities to give back, share knowledge, and inspire the community around the culture of innovation in Edmonton! An event could be a virtual workshop, panel discussion, or even a podcast episode.
WHAT DO I NEED TO MAKE SURE I CAN ATTEND EDMONTON STARTUP WEEK EVENTS?
All you need to attend is to go to https://www.edmontonstartupweek.com/2021-schedule and build a schedule! Each event will have its own video and audio requirements. Some are just audio-only streams for you to enjoy and some are more involved networking events. All the details are on each session!
SOUNDS EASY! HOW DO I BUILD A SCHEDULE FOR STARTUP WEEK?
All you need to do is register for an account, and then click the small circle next to an event title to RSVP.
DO I HAVE TO ATTEND ALL 5 DAYS OF EDMONTON STARTUP WEEK?
You’re welcome to attend as many or as few events as you’d like. We offer events throughout the five days so you can find the best times, days, and programs for you to attend. If you’d like to attend all events, we’d love that as well!