Entrepreneurs and small businesses are the lifeblood of thriving communities and play a crucial role in diversifying Alberta’s economy. Yet, as new business owner, you may lack resources, experience and networks. The initial hurdles—space, funding, legal, accounting and whatnot—may seem overwhelming. Where can you learn more? Can a business incubator help?
A company that helps new and startup businesses grow, a small business incubator gives entrepreneurs access to business development advisers who help them
- move their ideas forward
- navigate Alberta’s innovation and commercialization support system
- nurture the development of companies during the startup period
Among the business incubators serving the greater Edmonton area, Startup Edmonton, TEC Edmonton, the Northern Alberta Business Incubator Society (NABI) and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) are teaming up to provide a suite of new services for entrepreneurs, recent graduates and innovators. These new services include mentorship opportunities, business advice, product-testing space and access to world-class prototyping and manufacturing equipment.
Startup Edmonton
Since 2009, Startup Edmonton has brought together entrepreneurs, developers, students, mentors and investors to transform ideas into some of Canada’s most exciting and successful startup and scaling companies.
Through mentorship and practical advice, workshops and workspaces, and a vibrant community of member and alumni companies, Startup Edmonton supports entrepreneurs build and grow tech‑enabled products and companies.
Startup Edmonton hosts more than 280 community-driven events, workshops, meetups, conferences, forums and parties each year.
TEC Edmonton
A unique not-for-profit, TEC Edmonton is a business accelerator, helping to transform technologies into business opportunities. Managers-in-residence and technology management experts help early stage tech-based companies prepare an acceleration plan to guide their growth. The acceleration plan may include mentoring, business services, intellectual property protection, professional development and networking, workspaces and funding.
Northern Alberta Business Incubator Society (NABI)
A not-for-profit incubator, Northern Alberta Business Incubator Society (NABI) accelerates business growth in the Edmonton area by offering client-focused business coaching, office space and services, and education programs. As a mixed-used incubator, NABI’s focus is not limited to any particular sector but, rather, it houses a broad array of businesses at its St. Albert Business Development Centre.
Helping existing businesses and kick starting new business ideas for over 25 years, NABI offers entrepreneurs and small businesses the marketing resources, pathfinding advice, inspiration, capital and networking connections they need.
Watch for NABI’s practical and proven business events and workshops throughout the year.
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) partners with business and industry on applied research to find relevant solutions to real-world problems. With access to equipment for prototyping, small-scale manufacturing and testing, as well as business services, NAIT works with companies of all sizes at all stages of development. Specialists and technologists provide design advice and operational expertise.
By providing the right tools, guidance and services, business incubators serve as a catalyst for regional or national economic development.
Other resources
External resources are listed on an information basis only. Lift Legal does not endorse or guarantee the quality of services provided by third-party organizations.
- A100
- AccelerateAB
- Agrivalue Business Processing Incubator
- Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute
- Alberta Women Entrepreneurs
- ATB Entrepreneur Centre
- Business Link
- C100
- City of St. Albert Cultivate Life
- CIVC – St. Albert Community Information and Volunteer Centre
- C-FER Technologies
- Edmonton Research Park
- Ehub
- Futurepreneur Canada
- Innotech Alberta
- NINT Innovation Centre
