Digital Journal Teams with Edmonton Startup Week to Bridge Local Innovation into a National Dialogue
Edmonton Unlimited Teams with Digital Journal for 2025 Startup Week
Digital Journal has joined Edmonton Unlimited as the official media partner for the city’s inaugural Startup Week, running October 6‑10. The partnership will spotlight local founders, researchers, and industry leaders who are shaping innovation that resonates far beyond Alberta’s capital.
Theme: “Step in, Step up, Step forward”
Edmonton’s startup scene is gaining international acclaim in AI, life sciences, clean technology and more. This year’s theme is a call to action, inviting the community, the city and viewers to move forward together.
Commentary from Digital Journal
- Jennifer Friesen, associate editor in Alberta, says Startup Week “brings the people, ideas and momentum that define Edmonton’s innovation story.” She will cover the event and unpack key takeaways for innovators.
- Stephanie Gillis-Paulgaard, VP of marketing and communications at Edmonton Unlimited and executive producer of Startup Week, emphasizes that the theme “is more than words” and reflects the partnership’s ability to share Edmonton’s innovation story on a national stage.
Program Highlights
- Workshops on scaling and commercialization.
- Sector‑specific panels in AI, clean technology and health innovation.
- Community‑led events showcasing Edmonton’s grassroots startup culture.
- Pitch competitions, networking sessions and partner‑led discussions that bring founders, investors, researchers and civic leaders from across the province together.
Edmonton’s Innovation Ecosystem
- More than 1,700 tech companies and eight post‑secondary institutions contribute talent and research capacity.
- From mid‑2022 to end‑2024, the city generated $1 billion in ecosystem value.
- Recent Startup Genome data ranks Edmonton fifth in North America for affordable tech talent.
Edmonton Unlimited CEO Tom Viinikka
CEO Tom Viinikka, speaking at Inventures 2025, underscores the city’s role as a hub for startups, researchers and industry leaders who are shaping innovation that resonates far beyond the local market.
Interview with Tom Viinikka, CEO of Edmonton Unlimited, at Inventures 2025
Digital Journal’s David Potter (left) conducted an in‑depth conversation with Tom Viinikka, who leads Edmonton Unlimited, during Inventures 2025.
Context
- Inventures 2025 focuses on innovative business strategies.
- David Potter has a reputation for probing executive leaders.
Key Highlights
- Tom Viinikka outlined Edmonton Unlimited’s growth agenda.
- He discussed investment opportunities in emerging markets.
- Digital Journal’s photo credits to Jennifer Friesen.
Photo Credit
Photo by Jennifer Friesen/Digital Journal
What we’ve been covering
Alberta’s Tech Landscape in 2025
What Digital Journal Covered
- Data & AI Infrastructure – The province’s ambition to become a data hub, with a focus on AI centres and operator certainty.
- Clean Tech & Scale – Stories on the growth of clean‑technology ventures and the ecosystem’s expansion.
- Collaboration & Policy – Coverage of the partnership between industry, government, research bodies, and the policy signals driving investment.
Key Themes for Startup Week
- Leadership Shifts – Edmonton Unlimited’s scaling strategy and Alberta Innovates’ ecosystem‑first move.
- Regional Coordination – The alignment of Platform Calgary and Edmonton Unlimited’s resources for entrepreneurs, Tech Wednesdays’ grassroots network, and ERIN’s cross‑community coordination.
- Federal Funding – The Canada government’s $6.7 million investment to help Edmonton firms expand, along with an analysis of Canada’s overall ecosystem resilience.
Why October Matters
Digital Journal’s Alberta coverage has tracked the province’s push for AI workloads, clean technology scaling, and policy breakthroughs. These insights set the context for the conversations, connections, and networking that will unfold across the city during Startup Week.
What we’re watching out for during Edmonton Startup Week
Edmonton Startup Week: Bridging Local Innovation to National Impact
Step In, Step Up, Step Forward
Founders forging early‑stage ideas
- Inventors turning nascent concepts into tangible ventures
- Innovators navigating the path from vision to venture
Supporters backing crucial progress
- Ecosystem allies providing essential resources and mentorship
- Networks accelerating the journey from idea to impact
Systems sustaining long‑term innovation
- Frameworks that nurture continuous growth and resilience
- Agile structures enabling sustained advancement
Decision‑Makers Across Sectors
Beyond Local Interest
- Edmonton’s vibrant ecosystem offers insights that resonate outside the city
- Collaborations and themes mirror forces shaping Canada’s economy
- Technology trends and partnership dynamics accelerate adoption nationwide
Connecting Regional Momentum to National Priorities
- Stories illustrate how ideas traverse systems
- Opportunities for strategic action emerge across regions
Making Innovation Visible, Relevant, and Useful
Innovation is not an abstract concept. It informs strategy, guides investment, and shapes leadership. Through Edmonton Startup Week, we illuminate paths that link regional hues to national canvas, revealing how momentum translates into actionable insight.
