Welcome to July Everyone!

Summer is here, kids are out of school – and half of the calendar year is already over! At the Advanced Technology Centre last Friday, we enjoyed the steady stream of entrepreneurs – who were able to enjoy some spontaneous time to relax, and enjoy each others company. Between welcoming in new neighbour serial entrepreneur Hubert Lau and his TrustBIX team, and visiting entrepreneur Adriana Lopez, CEO of Onlea who mentioned that this year was their 10 year anniversary, and stories being shared by long-time CEO, Mehadi Sayed, of Clinisys, and Chowdary Meenavilli, CEO of NTWIST – there was never a dull moment, and the feeling of comfort amongst old friends.. although many of them had just met each other.  This is the life of Alberta’s tech entrepreneurs – they understand that this is a challenging journey, and they get energy from helping each other.

For us all, so much has happened – and so much lies ahead.

Turing to July we have:

• Calgary Stampede: July 5-14
• Edmonton K-Days: July 22-28: Innovation – Health, Technology, and Sustainability
• Olds AgSmart: July 30-31: ASTech Panel on Agriculture and Rural Innovation.

 Which brings us to the ASTech Nominations that closed last week. A HUGE Thank you goes out to the entire province! What an amazing all-play – from Frog Lake to Lethbridge. we have nominations across all categories.. and if all goes on schedule, we will be able to share our Agriculture and Rural Innovation finalists at AgSmart on July 31.

This year has already had highs and lows, but what remains strong throughout – has been the fact that Alberta’s Tech Sector is showing up, in record numbers. From amii’s Upper Bound to Alberta Innovates Inventures – from Technology Alberta’s Linkedin crossing the 12,000 followers mark through our year-to-date posting on 250 hiring Tech Companies featured this year, which has generated over 8000 impressions (4000 unique)  – Alberta’s Tech Sector is getting noticed, and this is what fun looks like!

So come out in July, and to innovation events throughout the year – with ASTech Awards events just around the corner on Friday September 27 (Calgary) and November 1 (Edmonton).. or for those of you who don’t enjoy the large events, then just come visit us at the Advanced Technology Centre, or other innovation partners at their offices. There is strength in numbers, there is strength in sharing, and there is strength in Alberta’s Tech Sector..

.. and as you have heard from Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation, we are just getting started!

See you soon everyone,

Gail
Gail J. Powley, P.Eng
President, Technology Alberta