The Mercer building has been our home for the last two years, and home to Startup Edmonton for the past ten years. As of October 31, our lease has officially ended, and with that, our time at Mercer has also come to an end.
We are very fortunate to have been able to do our most important foundational work at Mercer. With the support of the startup community and the larger innovation community, Mercer has been home to our programming, a community space for many entrepreneurs, and a gathering place for ideas and innovation. Mercer will always remain an iconic space for founders, and we will cherish the memories and connections we’ve made during our time there.
With our goal of positioning Edmonton as an inclusive global innovation capital, we are committed, now more than ever, to fulfilling our mission of harnessing the potential of this city to help solve the world’s toughest challenges. One major step in that journey will be our move into a new home next year, right in the centre of Edmonton’s downtown, at 10107 Jasper Avenue.
Change is always bittersweet, but we feel that this move is coming at an ideal time. Edmonton’s innovation community is expanding and rising – our city was recently named North America’s fastest-growing tech sector, a sector now valued at nearly $500 million, and our city’s average series A investment is $4.2 million, compared to $2.7 million globally.
People from all over the world are increasingly looking our way and noting how our innovation community is working on solutions that have a global impact and enrich the quality of life of countless communities. These solutions are helping us face the climate emergency, address food security, advance Reconciliation, close the digital divide, and so much more.
The Mercer building has become almost synonymous with innovation and entrepreneurship. Although our chapter has come to an end, we are excited that our friends at Work Nicer are continuing this story as they open their new Edmonton outpost at Mercer.
We can all take pride in the fact that our city’s innovation communities are growing and energized and that Edmonton is increasingly poised to take its place as a global innovation capital. I am excited to welcome you all to our new home when we open our doors next year. The world needs what Edmonton has to offer, and now is our time.
Warm Wishes,
Catherine Warren