The Centre for Drug Research and Development headquartered in Vancouver, B.C. has announced new partnerships with Quebec's Universite de Sherbrooke and Universite Laval. See press release:  CDRD Strengthens National Drug Development Bridge with New Quebec Partnerships. 

  So much potential. So much work to do. On the verge of VibeDx’s  first clinical trials, to “build the playbook” as it were, VibeDx co-founder Dr. Greg Kawchuk offers this analogy to the current state of VibeDx’s revolutionary but still preliminary  back-pain testing technology. “Somewhere, at some time, a researcher stuck electrodes on somebody’s chest around his or her heart,” says Dr. Kawchuk. “That researcher discovered electrical activity emanating from the heart. Then came an understanding of the patterns created by that activity. Then came the interpretation and measurement of those patterns to detect heart problems. Today, we have electrocardiograms (ECGs) as a simple, fast, efficient measurement of heart health.” The winner of the 2011 TEC VenturePrize Fast Growth Award, and a tenant in the TEC Centre, VibeDx has developed non-invasive vibration analysis technology that could, one day, offer more accurate assessment of back pr ...

Alberta's very successful  AccelerateAB technology conference, alternating annually between Calgary and Edmonton, is being expanded. Being held in Calgary this year, the actual conference will take place Thursday, July 11. The expanded "Alberta Tech Week" will take place from Monday July 8 through the Calgary Startup Weekend, Friday July 12 to Sunday July 14. Events as of May 1, 2013 include: Launch Party, Monday July 8, 5 p.m. Melrose Cafe and Bar Student Hackathon, Wednesday July 10, 9 a.m. Mount Royal University AccelerateAB Kick-Off Party, Accelerator YYC, Wednesday, July 10, 7:30 p.m. AccelerateAB 2013 Conference, Mount Royal University,Thursday, July 11, 10:00 a.m.   Calgary Microsoft Technologies - Presented by Calgary Virtualization User Group, Large Boardroom, Thursday July 11, 4:00 p.m.   AccelerateAB After Party – Presented by VA Angels, Cowboys, Thursday July 11, 6:00 p.m.   Calgary Startup Weekend, July 12-14 2013, Mount Royal University, Frida ...

  BESST TEC Edmonton Career Fair A career fair held Wednesday April 24, 2013 at TEC Edmonton will likely see dozens of new hires. On the one hand, some 200 well-educated degree holders arrived, looking for work. Many had unusual backgrounds, new Canadians wanting to do more than an entry-level job, professionals looking to re-enter the work force after an extended absence … or simply those finishing higher degrees and actively seeking challenging, fulfilling work. hese are clients that the non-profit BESST – Bridge For Engineering, Science and Technology Talent – organization serves very, very well. On the other hand, representatives from 25 small, innovative, knowledge-based companies, companies as likely as not still in startup mode, all hungry for skilled employees. The exercise was to bring these two groups together, opening the eyes of both potential employees and potential employers to creative hiring possibilities. Keynote speaker Chris Bain, business development directo ...

 

  Never has the eco-system of entrepreneurial innovation been so well-served. Alberta’s TEC VenturePrize competition, happening April 17, 2013 at Edmonton’s Westin Hotel, does an excellent job of recognizing and promoting Alberta’s innovative start-up companies, both for existing entrepreneurs and for post-secondary students dreaming of, or actually starting, their own companies. Through its 11 year history, TEC VenturePrize has become a prime driver in creating an “ecosystem” of education, financial support, business mentoring and business-to-business networking for start-up entrepreneurs, an ecosystem crucial in creating a pool of knowledge-based companies and entrepreneurs that create new wealth and hire highly educated workers. Those who enter the TEC VenturePrize Competition are offered a dazzling array of services to produce better start-up companies, no matter what the competitive outcome. Volunteer mentors work closely with each contestant in the preparation of ...

Last chance to register for the 11th Annual TEC VenturePrize Awards dinner next Wednesday, April 17, 2013, at the Westin Edmonton!  Down to just a few tables left! Tix are $70, $50 for bonafide students. 

Three finalists in both the Venture Prize Fast Growth Competition for innovative start-up companies, and in the VenturePrize Student Competition, will make their final presentations to the audience. One winner in both categories will take home prize money, all kinds of services, and most important, the prestige, recognition and interest coming from winning Alberta's most influential startup business competition.

The Edmonton Journal is also sponsoring the VenturePrize People's Choice Award, in which the general public can vote for their favourite contestant. 

See you there!

  Join TEC Edmonton for the culmination of the 11th Annual TEC VenturePrize Business Plan Competition! The winners of both the Fast Growth and Student competitions will be announced at our signature event, celebrating innovation and entrepreneurship in Alberta. Wednesday, April 17, 2013 4:00 - 7:30 p.m. The Westin Edmonton 4:00 p.m. Networking Reception 5:00 p.m. Program and Dinner Tickets:  $70,  students $50; Table of 10 $630 Register  New this year: guests will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite in the Fast Growth category. The finalist with the most votes will receive the inaugural Edmonton Journal People's Choice Award Join us for what promises to be a very exciting evening! Keynote Speaker: Dr. Ray Muzyka Dr. Ray Muzyka is the Founder and CEO of Threshold Impact, a company focused on sustainable, profitable impact investing and mentoring in technology, new media, medical innovation, and social entrepreneurs. A former medical doctor, Muzyka co-founde ...

Good column from the Edmonton Journal's Gary Lamphier on two highly successful  "startup" entrepreneurs, BioWare founder Dr. Ray Muzyka and Upside Software founder Ashif Mawji,  turning their energies to Edmonton's non-profit sector: Headline is Former CEOs of BioWare and Upside Software join foces to help non-profit organizations for a profit.

  For entrepreneurial students at the University of Alberta, the preliminary round leading up to the TEC VenturePrize student business plan competition is over. The winner and two runners-up from the U of A Venture Catalyst (AVCatalyst) business plan competition  have been announced.  The top 3 selected business plans are Phase Sensors, winning the AVCatalyst grand prize of $10,000, with runners-up MyoNEXUS and Virtually North taking home $5,000 each. Phase Sensors, MyNEXUS and Virtually North now move on to the province-wide student business plan competition, the TEC VenturePrize Student Business Plan Competition. They’ll initially compete against the top three winners from similar student business plan competitions from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Red Deer College, and the University of Lethbridge. From these top 12, the judges will determine who will move into the finals. The three finalists selected will present to the judging panel and then pitch their compan ...