Information and Communications Technology

Resources

The Alberta government is committed to supporting priority research and development initiatives and facilitating strategic collaborations between all levels of government, research institutions, and industry through the following organizations:

Alberta Ingenuity Fund
Alberta Ingenuity operates the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Science and Engineering Research, a $1 billion endowment established by the Alberta government. Alberta Ingenuity offers several important industry programs.

Ingenuity Enterprise
Ingenuity Enterprise, with more then $3.2 million of funding over three years from Alberta Ingenuity for the delivery of its ten programs, enhances existing programs, creates new activities, and supports a vibrant entrepreneurial culture across Alberta.

iCORE Chair Program
Provides financial support for university chairs to attract world-class researchers in the areas of computer science, electrical and computer engineering, physics, mathematics, and other disciplines related to information and communications technology.  Organizations that support industry chairs can triple their research investment with matching funds provided by the provincial and federal governments, gaining access to iCORE’s exceptional talent, networks and synergistic environment.

IVAC
IVAC provides investment and other assistance to Alberta businesses in the information and communications technology, life sciences, and other industrial technology sectors to help them get the best possible start in their fields.  The fund provides third-party funding for new and existing companies and also provides mentoring, marketing, operational guidance and other support to help Alberta businesses become competitive in both local and global markets. IVAC has two components:

  • Capacity Builder Program - provides pre-commercial and pre-seed investment for qualified Alberta-based private sector early stage technology companies which require assistance in completing their proof of concept work through the commercialization stage.
  • Early Stage Venture Fund - invests, along with other limited partners, in qualified early stage venture capital companies.

Alberta Information and Communications Technology Council (Alberta ICT Council)
The Alberta Information and Communication Technology Council helps grow and strengthen Alberta’s information and communication technology (ICT) sector by coordinating efforts to broaden awareness, collaboration and communication across all organizations involved in the many parts of Alberta’s ICT sector. Alberta’s ICT industry currently employs nearly 53,000 people, and generates over $10 billion in annual revenues.  

A robust, rapidly growing provincial economy has fueled the growth of the industry, and it now touches every person in the province through homegrown innovation in the areas of health, education, energy, entertainment and nanotechnology.  The industry is a showpiece in the provincial economy and is a strategic enabler of Alberta’s Next Generation Economy. The Alberta ICT Council is focused on improving the sector’s access to capital, markets, highly qualified people and technology commercialization assistance - areas deemed by our members as of highest priority to the growth of ICT sector companies.

Other Resources

In addition to the provincial funds and investment programs available in Alberta, supplemental federal level support is provided through these partners:

For information about these funding programs and other opportunities to leverage your research investments, contact Alberta Advanced Education and Technology at AET.INFO@gov.ab.ca