To Start
Edmonton is a place where people come to do big things - because they can. It all starts here.
Is this for me?
Whether you're exploring entrepreneurship or a new entrepreneur, we want to work with you. From planning it all out to marketing the product, our free programs will give you the tools and advice to bring your idea to the next step.
Foundational Programs
Business Model 101
Map out your idea and validate its potential using the Lean Canvas. Whether it’s your first time testing an idea or exploring entrepreneurship, or your tenth time, a strong foundation will set you up for success.
Testing Business Ideas
Do you want to validate your ideas before fully committing to them? As a startup, entrepreneur, or builder it can be difficult to know what to test and experiment on.
Discover & Validate
Once you’ve mapped everything out with the Lean Canvas, we’ll guide you through talking to customers so you can build them something they’ll love.
Programs to Start
Alberta Catalyzer: Engage
Supporting entrepreneurs that will take the information they’ve collected from initial customer discovery about the problem they’re looking to solve and work on a minimum viable product (MVP) that they will be ready to test.
Preflight: Build, Test & Learn
After talking to potential customers, it’s time to start building. We’ll guide you through building and testing your first solution (MVP) so you can keep learning and implementing the parts of your idea you mapped out previously.
Alberta Catalyzer: Traction
Supporting entrepreneurs to establish a compelling brand voice and establish a sales strategy to grow their initial sales and traction.
Preflight: Market, Sell & Pitch
You’ve tested your solution and continue to hear and learn from your customers—Nice Work! Now it’s time to start learning how to tell your story. Get ready to dive into marketing, sales, and pitching.
Post-Secondary Institution (PSI) Executive In Residence
Students, staff, and alumni of Edmonton’s post-secondary schools interested in building a technology-based company can access the support of an Executive in Residence (EIR) on campus.
Post-Secondary Institution (PSI) Business Development Support
Students, staff, and alumni of Edmonton’s post-secondary schools interested in building a technology-based company can access support through the Business Development Support (BDS) program.
Partner Programs
Capital City Pilots
Connecting local entrepreneurs with City-owned assets. Small to medium-sized businesses can test their innovative intellectual property while making improvements to municipal property.
Innovation U: An Entrepreneurship Series
Adapted from Edmonton Unlimited’s Foundational series through to Preflight: Market, Sell & Pitch is an inclusive program aimed at all innovators and entrepreneurs. Each class can be taken in sequence or as a stand-alone session and is designed to build upon one another.
Accelerators to Start
Alberta Accelerator by 500
Plug and Play Alberta
TELUS Community Safety & Wellness Accelerator powered by AlchemistX
Innovation Stories
I want to grow, I want to start
Ashif Mawji
Black Entrepreneurship Roundtable Summary
Indigenous Entrepreneurship Roundtable Summary
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Events to Start
June 8, 2023
Talent Impact Series: Building An Ecosystem Where Talent Can Thrive
The main topic of the event, hosted by Careers in Technology and Innovation (CITI) is how we can improve the Edmonton ecosystem so talent can thrive. The overall goal of the event is to gather what the community feels like are the greatest challenges and opportunities.
Women Investing in Women: The Firehood Effect
June 9, 2023
Testing Business Ideas – June 29
June 29, 2023
Get Started
Unsure if these programs are right for you? Reach out today for a free, 30-minute meeting to learn how we can help you start your idea.