Event will inform future deep tech-focused programming at the innovation hub.<\/p>\n
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Edmonton Unlimited<\/a> welcomed hundreds of people, including VCs from across Canada, to a showcase intended to catalyze commercialization for the city\u2019s deep-tech entrepreneurs. <\/p>\n The news: The June 9 showcase featured an investor panel on what makes successful deep tech companies\u2014those typically founded on complex scientific or engineering innovation\u2014with participation from Continuum Health Ventures, BDC, Panache Ventures, Risc Capital, Innovobot, and Eecomobility. It was followed by a fireside chat with Edmonton\u2019s Wyvern<\/a> on how the company went from university spinout to a globally competitive deep tech business.\u00a0<\/p>\n From the source: \u201cIn order for us to serve all of the entrepreneurs in the city, we have to be able to evaluate who\u2019s here and what they need,\u201d Edmonton Unlimited chief operating officer Sangeet Brar said in an interview with BetaKit. \u201cThis is a segment of companies that are essential to Edmonton that we haven\u2019t necessarily been bringing the programs or experts they need, and this is helping to broaden that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n RELATED: PrairiesCan invests $3 million to kickstart Edmonton Unlimited\u2019s new innovation space<\/a><\/p>\n Following the thread: The event was intended to act as a bellwether for both future programming and a deep-tech focused segment of October\u2019s Edmonton Startup Week<\/a>. Edmonton Unlimited CEO Tom Viinikka said the organization plans to debrief on the event and use the collected data from attendees and participants to design and implement future, long-term programming around deep tech startups, which often face a longer and more challenging path to commercialization than other startups.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Final thought: As a result of the showcase, there are as many as 30 private startup-to-investor meetings happening this week with more than 20 Alberta-based companies, according to Amit Monga, the president of Eecomobility, who helped bring several of those VCs to the showcase. Monga said he\u2019s hoping to bring more VC interest to future events, with the aim of bridging the gap between Edmonton\u2019s research talent and commercialization.\u00a0<\/p>\n