Snow and ice melt in the Rocky Mountains determine seasonal river levels for most of Western Canada. Here Canmore-based USask Researcher Lindsey Langs mounts a field monitoring camera at a research site near Fortress Mountain where winter snowfall is carefully monitored. (Photo: Mark Ferguson, Global Institute for Water Security)

USask and Innovate Canmore partner to boost technology innovation and impact

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) is building on its long-standing presence in the Town of Canmore and the broader Bow Valley Region in Alberta by engaging with The Innovate Canmore Group.

Together, the partners will optimize and accelerate the transformation of ideas into market-driven products and start-up companies that create significant sustainable social and economic value. 

“USask has been proud to be part of Canmore and the Bow Valley Region for many years now, having established a world-class cold-climate hydrology research and global education program at the headwaters of the Saskatchewan Rivers through our Global Institute for Water Security and Global Water Futures program,” said USask Vice-President Research Karen Chad. “Now, in the spirit of boundless collaboration that invigorates our university, we are excited to partner with the great team at Innovate Canmore to give USask researchers even more opportunities and to connect ideas, expertise, talent and resources to deliver solutions the world needs.”   

The Innovate Canmore Group was launched in early 2019 as a technology incubator and business accelerator, by a local team with deep expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning, computer and life sciences, education, technology product development, financial engineering, and the entrepreneurial venture cycle. It is working to create, nurture and develop an integrated technology ecosystem in Canmore and the Bow Valley, including leading the initiative to establish an internationally recognized Technology Innovation Park in Canmore by late 2023. 

USask research teams based at the Canmore Cold Water Lab study nearby glaciers in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Based on data and modelling predictions, glaciers like Peyto (seen here) will be completely melted by the end of the century. (Photo: Mark Ferguson, Global Institute for Water Security)

“We are thrilled to collaborate with one of Canada’s leading research-intensive universities and to connect USask innovators with the experience, expertise and resources within The Innovate Canmore Group,” said Innovate Canmore President and CEO Brian McClure. “This important partnership will allow us to nurture, incubate and accelerate science and technology innovation into commercial success, creating innovative technology products and global market-driven companies that will significantly contribute to the economic development, diversification and resilience of our Canmore, Alberta and Western Canadian economies.” 

“The Town of Canmore has greatly appreciated having the University of Saskatchewan active in our community, through their world-leading water research, and we very much welcome an expanded presence and a deeper relationship with our USask friends and neighbours,” said Canmore Mayor John Borrowman. “In Canmore, we know that our future lies in attracting new collaborative innovation, and our involvement with USask is a cornerstone of that.”