All Posts By

Amy Scullion

Nov 16
0

Connecting Industry and Talent at Alberta IoT Demo Day

By | Alberta IoT Association News

 Alberta IoT seeks to support industry in several ways, including building talent within the province. Through roundtable discussions, industry partners of Alberta IoT identified a need for:

1. More opportunities to meet with student talent; and

2. Educating students on opportunities for technology related careers across different industry sectors

In response to these industry needs, Alberta IoT has launched the Demo Day initiative with support from Calgary Economic Development and SAIT School for Advanced Digital Technology. Demo Day seeks to showcase the impact and opportunity technology has across various industry sectors with a focus on traditional industries such as construction or telecommunication. The event is open to industry as well as students at SAIT to explore the technologies leading to impactful transformation in these more traditional sectors.

“Alberta IoT’s Demo Day at SAIT is an excellent an opportunity for students to gain insight into the range of careers available in Alberta’s emerging technology market and to connect industry with their future talent pool. As we continue to experience significant growth in the tech sector, working closely with industry partners to create work-integrated learning opportunities will further prepare students for successful careers.” – Dr. Raynie Wood, Dean of SAIT’s School for Advanced Digital Technology.

By bringing together 20 industry exhibitors, students can expect an immersive experience in the heart of the SAIT main campus to explore career opportunities and technology applications that they may not have previously considered. “Our goal as an Association really is to be a connector. The Demo Day event on November 23 is about connecting industry to talent, and to one another, while educating all participants on the impact emerging technologies are having across various sectors,” Brenda Beckedorf, Executive Director of Alberta IoT Association.

To learn more about the event exhibitors at Demo Day, visit the event page at: Demo Day (albertaiot.com)

ABOUT ALBERTA IOT
Alberta IoT is a non-profit, member-based association that exists to nurture and support the growth of Alberta’s Internet of Things and emerging technology sectors. Our mission is to position Alberta as the worldwide leader in IoT and emerging technology.

ABOUT SAIT SADT
The School for Advanced Digital Technology (SADT) is committed to preparing our students to thrive in the borderless, global economy. We offer an exciting range of media and technology programs built on a foundation of applied, technology-immersed experiences and enhanced with work-integrated learning opportunities. Sait.ca

ABOUT CALGARY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Calgary Economic Development is an opportunity-maker, helping to spark Calgary’s economic growth and diversification. Our job is to connect people with resources to help them grow their careers or businesses, thrive in new locations or markets, and feel at home in our welcoming and inclusive community. We offer a wealth of information to help everyone succeed and we tirelessly promote Calgary, in Canada and around the world. We’re exhilarated about our role in shaping and sharing Calgary’s story.

Interested in our other Alberta IoT events? 

Check them out HERE. We can’t wait to see you there. 

Oct 03
0

Turn movement data into health and wellness knowledge

By | Alberta IoT Association News

Hi fellow Alberta IoT members; I am Nigel, the founder of MindFull Solutions Inc., where we turn movement data into health and wellness knowledge. MindFull was invited to participate in Alberta IoT in Action at the Alberta IoT 3rd Annual Golf Tournament.

 
We took the opportunity to showcase our tech while simultaneously testing the firmware/database integration and our core stability metric. Our core stability metric measure how much the low back jolts and oscillates during movement. A higher score means how well a person transfers the forces smoothly during moving, having less consequence on the joints.



The results. We had roughly 30 golfers strap on the device and do everything from climbing trees, cartwheels, and myriad golf swings and tee-offs. The core stability score of all activities was 8.85 out of 10. Walking equated to 80% of the data collected was 9.01 out of 10. Dynamic movements equated to a stability score of 7.86, roughly 4% of the viable data collected. Interestingly, within the last two hours of the day, our core stability score was higher at 9.28 for all activities, including dynamic movements score of 9.44!

The knowledge we can gain from this data are:

1) The people who participated are generally good movers!

2) Our bodies need time to find joint stability for dynamic or complex movement. Not so much time for simple actions like walking.

3) An optimized warmup may help. Our partners at Coalition Performance Care have provided a simple way to get the body ready for golf.

If you are interested in partaking a pilot study or our pre-sale/Kickstarter, sign up for our newsletter for more information and updates!

Sep 09
0

Three lessons learned from signing one of Canada’s largest-ever biotech deals

By | Alberta IoT Association News

Chris Micetich is a serial entrepreneur and the Founder, President, and CEO of Fedora Pharmaceuticals (Fedora). Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Fedora specializes in the discovery and development of novel antibiotics. In 2015, Fedora signed a licensing deal with Hoffmann La Roche for Fedora’s world-class anti-infective, the beta-lactamase inhibitor Nacubactam. The deal was valued at USD $750MM + royalties and at the time was the largest biotechnology licensing deal in Canadian history. Chris has learned many things from his many successful start-ups, but three key lessons came into focus after the Roche deal:


Take Advice and Persevere

Everyone – and I mean everyone – will have an opinion on what you should and should not do with your start-up. Although it is well-intentioned, some of the advice is contradictory, confusing, and even impractical. The important thing, however, is to solicit advice from those you trust, and those who have “been there and done that”. Prior experience beats theoretical knowledge 10 times out of 10. So, heed all the opinions you respect and discard the rest

But along your entrepreneurial journey you may get one set of feedback that is hard to brush off: “This will never work.”

The virtues of failing early and failing forward are well known in the entrepreneurial world. But it’s very different when you hear those words from those around you, and what if they don’t jibe with what you know in your heart to be true? What if you know that it will work? What if you are clear eyed and still disagree with their assessment?

That is when your entrepreneurial grit must kick in. After making sure they’re not pointing out something essential that you missed – note the feedback and carry forward. It’s certainly easier to explain why something will not work than it is to believe in an entrepreneur’s vision. I had countless people tell me that a start-up couldn’t play with big pharma. We were out of our depth. We could not get a deal done. But I knew in my heart that we were right. And when vindication came, I was not surprised, I saw it all the way back from the beginning.

Start with the End in Mind

Speaking of seeing the end way back in the beginning, that is where your start-up needs to start – at the end. What’s the end game? How do you see this story ending? Is it a licensing deal? Are you going to build a worldwide success from the ground up? Maybe it’s an early sale or a partnership once you hit the right stage. The specifics of your ending are less important than the fact that you need to know it at the beginning. It will be your True North and the basis of your strategy and decision making, informing each and every aspect of your business.

With Fedora, I knew we wanted a licensing deal with big pharma, and I knew which stage we wanted it at. Starting from the end, we worked backwards and built a plan that we could execute on, with each step bringing us closer to the finish line that we designed and placed. By dictating the terms of our own success, we became masters of our own entrepreneurial destiny.

Validate, Validate, Validate

At this point it’s cliché to say, but I’m still seeing start-ups with solutions in search of a problem. So, I’ll say it again here: Validate, Validate, Validate!

Validate your problem. Validate your solution. Validate it with end-users. Validate it with payors. Validate it with industry. With Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs). With decision makers. At Fedora, we made sure that our validation was second-to-none. We asked Big Pharma: is this a product you would acquire? We asked KOLs: is our science sound? We asked reimbursement specialists: is this a product you would pay for? With binders full of positive responses, we charted our course.

It’s more than asking if people like your product, they must be willing to pay for it. Validate the problem as well as your solution inside and out before diving in.

About the Author

Aug 22
0

Third Time is the Charm – Celebrating #AlbertaIoTee

By | Alberta IoT Association News

 

Teeing off for the third time, Alberta IoT was happy to host the tech and broader business community at Lynx Ridge on August 12, 2022. The annual tournament brought together businesses across sectors with a vested interest in IoT and emerging technology.

The day would not have been possible without the incredible sponsors as well as the hard work of a dedicated volunteer committee helping with all of the planning and preparations leading into the tournament. 

A special thank you to Rogers for Business, EY, Alberta Innovates, Moby, Goodlawyer, Victaulic, Delphi Technology Corp, SaaS HQ, Ignite Technology, Aspen Films, Olympia Trust Company, Infront Marketing, Aura Advanced Technology/Cloudian, Andersen LLP, and Virtual Gurus along with our cart sponsors, Socium Law and PCC Integrate. 

Missed the day? Check out the highlights! 

 

Interested in our other Alberta IoT events? 

Check them out HERE. We can’t wait to see you there. 

ABOUT ALBERTA IOT

Alberta IoT is a non-profit, member-based association that exists to nurture and support the growth of Alberta’s Internet of Things and emerging technology sectors. Our mission is to position Alberta as the worldwide leader in IoT and emerging technology.

Jul 20
0

A Truly Stompin’ Stampede with Alberta IoT

By | Alberta IoT Association News

 

The energy in Calgary last week was truly incredible! Events were back in a big way and opportunities to connect were abundant during the greatest outdoor show on earth. We were proud to host the tech community during our Stompin’ Stampede event on July 14, 2022 at cSpace Projects and would like to thank everyone who chose to spend their evening with us!

So what does a Stampede event have to do with IoT?

Alberta IoT is on a mission to create a supportive community here in Alberta for IoT and emerging tech companies to thrive. Showcasing our western hospitality and bringing together industry partners for a night of networking is really one of the best ways we can think of to form those connections and support our ecosystem. IoT, after all, is all about the power of connection!   

Missed the event? Check out some of the highlights.

Thank you to our annual sponsors for making events like these possible. A special shout out to our Gold and Silver Sponsors, EY, Rogers for Business, Telus, SAIT, MNP, clearmotive, mCloud, KPMG, goodlawyer, and Amplify Advisors.

Interested in our other Alberta IoT event? 

Check them out HERE. We can’t wait to see you there. 

ABOUT ALBERTA IOT

Alberta IoT is a non-profit, member-based association that exists to nurture and support the growth of Alberta’s Internet of Things and emerging technology sectors. Our mission is to position Alberta as the worldwide leader in IoT and emerging technology.

May 10
0

Funding of $1.5 Million to Support the Advancement of Emerging Technologies

By | Alberta IoT Association News
Supporting the Alberta IoT Fast Track Program and Science Park initiative, the funding received by PrairiesCan and Alberta Innovates will create immense opportunity for the growth of IoT and emerging tech in Alberta

Alberta IoT is pleased to announce funding received from PrairiesCan and Alberta Innovates in the total amount of $1.57 million for the advancement and support of Internet of Things (IoT) and emerging technologies in the province of Alberta.

A federal investment of $970,000 through PrairiesCan will be allocated towards the Fast Track Business Accelerator as well as the New to Canada Startup Visa (SUV) program over the next three years. Both programs focus on development and training to support market expansion and growth of scale up companies developing or implementing technologies related to IoT.

“It is immensely rewarding to see the impact that the Fast Track Program has had on businesses here in Alberta. This funding allows us to make improvements and ultimately support more companies in their scaling journey through IoT. Moreover, the inclusion of the New to Canada Program means an opportunity to attract more businesses to Alberta for the benefit of our province and country.”

– Brenda Beckedorf, Executive Director

In addition, funding will support the Alberta Science Park – a new initiative spearheaded by Alberta IoT that provides industry with the ability to collaborate with post-secondary institutions and other industry players. This structured environment will incorporate faculty, students, researchers, and industry all working together on projects that push the boundaries of innovation.

“From autonomous farming equipment to wearable health monitors, Internet of Things technologies present an enormous growth opportunity for Alberta technology firms developing new applications in this field. Our government’s support for Alberta IoT provides small- and medium-sized firms with a leg up in their journey to bring their ideas to market through coaching, mentorship, and other resources, creating jobs and retaining talent and expertise in the province.”

– The Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan

“Alberta’s tech firms are international leaders in emergent technologies, products and services to meet global demand while creating high quality jobs here at home. Our government’s collaboration with Alberta IoT will bring Alberta-made solutions to a broader market, while providing our innovators with key resources to support their competitiveness and growth.”

– The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance

ABOUT ALBERTA IOT

Alberta IoT is a non-profit, member-based association that exists to nurture and support the growth of Alberta’s Internet of Things and emerging technology sectors. Our mission is to position Alberta as the worldwide leader in IoT and emerging technology.

ABOUT PRAIRIESCAN

PrairiesCan is the federal department that supports economic growth in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Its programs and services help businesses, not-for-profits and communities grow stronger. Its mandate is to support economic growth and diversification in the Prairie provinces and advance the interests of the region in national economic policy, programs and projects.

Read the release HERE. 

Apr 11
0

Support for Ukrainian Employees

By | Alberta IoT Association News

Please see below resources compiled specifically for support of Ukraine employees. Alberta IoT will do our best to update this post with further information when available.

FOR EMPLOYERS SEEKING UKRAINIAN EMPLOYEES

  • The Government is waiving fees and prioritizing applications for permanent residency under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program. More on that here.
  • The federal government department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has established a dedicated service channel for Ukraine immigration enquiries available for clients both in Canada and abroad at 613-321-4243, with collect calls accepted. Clients can add the keyword “Ukraine2022” to the IRCC crisis web formwith their enquiry and it will be prioritized.
  • As more information is available about the different pathways for arrivals, it will be posted on the federal website at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/ukraine-measures.html.
  • in the interim and for EMPLOYERS ONLY, we have been provided a direct contact at IRCC to direct questions regarding job opportunities for the people in Ukraine. Those employers may connect directly with Mr. Gregory Sharun at Sharun@cic.gc.ca as the central point of contact for now to help them with the types of questions you are getting.
  • The Government of Canada has announced the launch of the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET), a special, accelerated temporary residence pathway to welcome Ukrainians and their families to Canada. With the CUAET, Ukrainians and their immediate family members of any nationality may stay in Canada as temporary residents for up to three years. Applicants who are overseas need to apply online for a Canadian visitor visa and provide their biometrics (fingerprints and a photo). Applicants are encouraged to apply for a 3-year open work permit at the same time as their visa application.
  • Employers who wish to support Ukrainians with offers of employment should register on Job Bank’s Jobs for Ukraine webpage. You can find additional information about these measures in the Government of Canada’s news release.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Alberta Government Information on Immigration Information

Support for Ukrainians | Alberta.ca

Alberta Government Information on Resources for Refugees  

Refugee support | Alberta.ca

VanHack

VanHack (https://vanhack.com/ ) has a database of over 300,000 tech talent globally.  For those looking to hire Ukrainians, they are waiving their one time 20% fee to help get companies connected to those who need jobs.

Process for companies interested in hiring Ukrainian talent is:

  1. Send email to Stephanie (stephanie@vanhack.com) to discuss needs
  2. Use subject line: Hiring Ukraine/ Alberta IoT
  3. Chat with Stephanie about needs
  4. If a fit, sign their agreements/ terms ( 0% fee)
  5. Get matched

Airbnb

The vacation rental company announced that it will offer short-term housing to up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees. The stays will be funded by the company itself and donors to the Host Refugee. People are not only encouraged to donate money but also to open their homes to the vulnerable refugees. Anyone interested can learn how to get involved through their website- airbnb.org/help-ukraine.

Want to Host a Family?

Follow this link for more information https://www.ukrainetakeshelter.com/

Free Healthcare for Ukrainians

Click here for more details.

Dec 09
0

Why Care About IoT?

By | Alberta IoT Association News

When it comes to daily conveniences, IoT is at the forefront of your absolute favourites. Whether you are working in tech or not, IoT is something we all care about even more than we may realize.

Consider this year’s gift list:

  • How many loved ones requested the latest Google home or Alexa device?
  • A wearable watch or a car starter?
  • Smart thermostats, home security, and intuitive appliances fall into the category of Internet of Things.

Your home automations, car key fobs, smart locks, homes, watches, and more… IoT connects us all through our objects, spaces, and places. But IoT is so much more than even that!

Traffic light solutions that improve flow of vehicles, crime rates, city parking, green initiatives, and so much more all depend on the success of IoT to bring it all to life.

Geographically, North America is expected to continue experiencing IoT growth with the adoption of connected cars, smart energy projects, automation, and a focus on smart manufacturing. So beyond the obvious reasons to care about the progress of IoT, here are a few other reasons that you should care.

Go where the growth is:

In the recent 2021 Alberta Technology Deal Flow Study by Alberta Enterprise they identified 3000+ technology firms in Alberta which is a 233% increase from 2012. In their study they identified 38% were generating over 1 million in revenue, and 43% had raised over $1 million USD.

These numbers tell us that Alberta is making a major comeback! Making the decision to settle down in a province on the rise is not too bad of a plan. Alberta IoT is actively recruiting tech elites to our programs.

Investment opportunities:

With the above knowledge, it only makes sense to invest in an industry that is taking huge strides in the market. Companies such as InvestorPlace are making stock recommendations in IoT and we’re not surprised. That’s why Alberta IoT continuously invests in Alberta businesses looking to make major strides in their industry.

In demand job market:

Job creation and opportunity are strong indicators of current and future growth of the Alberta technology sector, as is the diversity with which the market serves. As highlighted below, the IoT market in Alberta is serving many sectors.

According to Mordor Intelligence,  IoT is a focal area for development, production, and management of supply and logistics. Shifts in manufacturing are being driven by the adoption of IoT to advance production.

Customer experience improvement:

Beyond production, manufacturing and supply chain, IoT is experiencing retail sector growth, particularly with the rise of e-commerce. Operational efficiency and enhanced customer experiences in the sector are attributable to the rise of IoT solutions in the sector. This means you can expect improved shopping experiences in an endless variety of industries.

When you consider the dynamic role IoT plays in our life, it’s no wonder organizations like Alberta IoT are making waves. From The Centre of Excellence to the Fast Track program, Alberta IoT is prepared to be not only a trend-setter in IoT, but also a hub for those looking to shake up the industry.

The IoT industry is a trillion-dollar industry globally and Alberta IoT’s goal is to dynamically support the growth of Alberta based firms to capture 1-2 % of this market. Connect with us to learn more about how Alberta IoT is supporting tech, IoT, and small business in Alberta!

Jul 19
0

The 2nd Annual Alberta IoT Golf Tournament

By | Alberta IoT Association News

On September 18th, in partnership with Alberta Innovates, Aruba Wireless, iON United, MNP, ROGERS, and SAIT, Alberta IoT hosted our first annual Golf Tournament at Apple Creek Golf Course. We were completely sold out of sponsorships and golfer spaces a week before the event, proving that Alberta’s IoT community truly is ready to get back to business. It was a beautiful day to be outside, and lots of new connections were made among members.

Read More
Jun 22
0

Alberta IoT Golf Tournament

By | Alberta IoT Association News

Golf. The pinnacle of outdoor social distancing and the godfather of networking. It’s been a long year and we just can’t think of a better way to get the IoT community together!

Last year we had an absolute blast golfing, laughing, chatting, and getting to know Alberta IoT businesses.

This year, we hope you’ll join us July 16th for all the fun at Lynx Ridge Golf course. 

 

Who Should Come?

If you design, implement, sell, or service Internet of Things solutions, you don’t want to miss the exciting opportunity to network and collaborate with key industry players and decision-makers. A casual round of golf followed by dinner and drinks is a great way to get to know your peers in Alberta’s IoT space while getting some fresh air and exercise.

 

The Course

Lynx Ridge is an 18-hole golf course with a stunning terrace restaurant, a public driving range & pro shop. As one of Calgary’s most exciting golf courses, Lynx Ridge features remarkable views of the Rocky Mountains and downtown Calgary. But this course isn’t just something pretty to look at – it also offers challenging play for golfers at every skill level. 

Not a golf pro? No sweat! Ryan Hnetka is volunteering his time and golf expertise to assist anyone looking to improve their game or even learn the basics. There is no better time to work on your swing and hone your putting skills.

 

Sponsorship  

Want to get some visibility on your brand? Check out our wide variety of sponsorship opportunities to highlight your IOT solutions. This is a great way to promote your company or learn about the latest IoT trends in Alberta. A lot has happened in IoT and there will be countless industry events and opportunities cropping up in the future. Hear about them first through a wide range of industry experts and solution providers all here to network with you!

 

What to Expect

Registration is $225 per player and includes 18 holes of golf, cart rental, and 

dinner. 

 

BYOC – Bring your own clubs, or check in with Lynx Ridge to inquire about rentals.

Be sure to register before tickets are sold out!

After you arrive at the course we will get you signed in, provide you with keys for your golf cart, and point you in the direction of your beverage of choice! With a shotgun start, teams will begin their afternoon of fun in the sun! Just before dinner, we will meet back up for a casual cocktail hour before settling in to eat, network, and give out some prizes.

12:00pm  – Registration Open

 1:00pm  – Shotgun Start

 5:00pm  – Cocktail Hour

 6:00pm  – Dinner

Not a bad way to spend a Friday night, right? 

 

What About Covid?

Socializing has been a little different and Alberta IOT is confident that we can create a safe, fun, and memorable outdoor environment for everyone to enjoy. Our Lynx Ridge will also have policies in place to help create a fun and safe place to play. For the Lynx Ridge Golf course considerations & COVID-19 policies please visit their website here.

 

Alberta IoT Annual Golf Tournament wouldn’t be possible without our Title Sponsors. This event is proudly sponsored by Alberta Innovates, Titan Logix, Socium Law and Rogers. Thank you for the support in bringing Alberta’s IoT community together.

 

What are you still doing here reading this? We’re already 75% full and you don’t want to miss out! Click here to register