An established global leader in designing and operating incentive competitions to solve humanity's greatest challenges, XPRIZE has selected UCalgary as the home of its Canada Hub.
UCalgary has received $1.5 million in funding from Alberta Technology and Innovation, and an additional $1.5 million from the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) contributing to the five-year initiative to operate the hub.
From left, Dr. William Ghali, Brad Parry, Anousheh Ansari and Dr. Ed McCauley join the announcement at the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking. Laura James Photography
"Being chosen as XPRIZE's Canada Hub is a testament to our leadership in innovation and entrepreneurial thinking in Canada. We're excited to see the amazing world-changing ideas and innovations that will come from the hub at UCalgary," said UCalgary President Ed McCauley.
The XPRIZE Canada Hub at UCalgary is the foundation's first international hub and will strengthen Canada's leadership in global innovation by connecting Canadian innovators to opportunities within the XPRIZE network.
The hub is a $10-million part of XPRIZE's mission to establish a physical global presence and deepen collaboration with innovators worldwide to drive exponential change.
"As we aim to expand XPRIZE's global impact, our hubs will play a pivotal role in fostering connections with innovators worldwide to address the most urgent challenges facing humanity," said Anousheh Ansari, CEO of XPRIZE.
"The University of Calgary is the ideal premier partner for the XPRIZE Canada Hub with its strong commitment to research, innovation, and entrepreneurship," she said. "Together we will build a strong startup ecosystem to build scalable solutions toward a better future for all."
UCalgary's leadership in research, innovation and entrepreneurship, along with its status as the top startup creator among Canadian universities over the past five years, were factors in its selection as the location for the XPRIZE Canada Hub.
Each XPRIZE hub will operate as a nucleus of impact, attracting and convening cross-sector stakeholders to catalyze industries and contribute to the design and selection of prizes, engage top-tier innovators and competitors, and empower local and regional XPRIZE teams to deliver breakthrough solutions to the world's greatest challenges.
"The establishment of the XPRIZE Canada Hub at the University of Calgary is a remarkable addition to Alberta's thriving tech sector," said Nate Glubish, Alberta minister of technology and innovation.
"With our world-class researchers, vibrant startup community, and substantial venture capital investments, this hub will further accelerate innovation and solidify Alberta's position as a leader in technological advancements," Glubish added.
The hub will expand the capacity of Canadian innovators by connecting, supporting and accelerating teams to engage in XPRIZE activities, that will help de-risk and validate new technologies for investment, adoption and implementation.
"Calgary has always been a city of visionaries, a place where ideas turn into real-world solutions," explained Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek.
"Our partnership with XPRIZE Hub strengthens our international reputation as a city that is actively building a better future for everybody," she continued. "By aligning with XPRIZE's global mission, Calgary is showing what's possible when innovation, ambition, and community come together."
Added Brad Parry, CEO of the Opportunity Investment Fund and Calgary Economic Development: "Calgary is where bright minds and big ideas come together to solve global challenges, and the Canadian XPRIZE Hub is powerful proof of that.
"This partnership will bring world-class talent to Calgary to develop groundbreaking ideas that build economic resilience while putting our city on the map as a global innovation hub."
