Jane Hunter‑Uhryn breaks down rural innovation barriers, people finally talk again.

Jane Hunter‑Uhryn steers Innovate Northwest through a new era of collaboration

Photo by Jennifer Friesen, Digital Journal.

From siloed beginnings to a networked future

When Jane Hunter‑Uhryn first joined the Regional Innovation Network (RIN) in Grand Prairie five years ago, the innovation leaders in northwest Alberta spoke in silos. “Nobody talked to each other,” she recalls.

RIN evolves into Innovate Northwest

Stretching over 200,000 square kilometres across the region, the community now sees collaboration as essential. The organization has shed its former name—Grand Prairie RIN—and become Innovate Northwest: Regional Innovation Network, a change that better mirrors the area they serve.

Jane Hunter‑Uhryn leads a rural innovation shift

Her role as manager places her at the forefront of a broader transformation in how rural innovation is organized and supported across Canada. While the mainstream conversation about innovation often centers on cities, venture capital, and high‑growth startups, rural Alberta follows a different path.

• Innovation relies on infrastructure
• Partnerships build networks
• Entrepreneurs thrive outside major urban centres

Accelerating progress

Jane explains that the process, which could easily become tedious, is now accelerating. She shares her insights at Inventures 2025 and invites readers to watch the full interview in the video below.

[Watch the interview in full in the video below]

Building infrastructure for entrepreneurship

Regional Innovation Networks Facing Structural Shortfalls

In the northwestern provinces, entrepreneurial activity largely revolves around the oil, gas, and heavy‑manufacturing sectors. Yet the local talent pool often falls short of the specialized engineering support required for product development—especially for prototyping, computational design, or SolidWorks drafting.

Engineers as a Scarce Resource

• Many firms lack onsite engineers trained in prototype fabrication or detailed CAD modeling.
• Entrepreneurs must therefore seek assistance beyond municipal boundaries.

Hunter‑Uhryn’s Perspective on Cross‑Regional Collaboration

“Finding engineering support in our region is often a real challenge,” Hunter‑Uhryn explains. “We therefore collaborate with Edmonton–based organizations to execute some of the engineering tasks required for their projects.”

Shift Toward Ecosystem Building

Hunter‑Uhryn notes that the move from isolated, program‑centric delivery to a connected ecosystem model marks the maturity of regional innovation networks. The new approach enables cross‑regional knowledge exchange and resource sharing, thereby closing the structural gaps that previously hindered local entrepreneurial growth.

Jane Hunter-Uhryn Leads Innovate Northwest

Jane Hunter-Uhryn serves as the manager of Innovate Northwest, a company that pushes the frontier of technology.

Her Role

• Liaises between investors and developers.
• Coordinates product design.

Company Focus

Innovate Northwest specializes in sustainable energy solutions.

Strength in collaboration

How Innovate Northwest Fosters Regional Innovation

When Hunter‑Uhryn joined Innovate Northwest, Alberta’s innovation networks were siloed. Today, the organization has become a cohesive hub that bridges gaps and shares knowledge across regions.

Driving Rural and Early‑Stage Entrepreneurship

• Hunter‑Uhryn stresses the importance of collaboration.
• Innovate Northwest now works “really closely” to advance rural startups.

Investing in Underserved Regions

By concentrating support in Alberta’s urban centres, the economy still feels disconnected. Innovations like those led by Hunter‑Uhryn demonstrate a region‑first model that molds infrastructure and funding to local priorities.

Full Interview Available Below

Watch the complete interview in the video and learn how Innovate Northwest is reshaping the Alberta innovation landscape.

Expanding reach across the northwest

Grand Prairie’s Regional Innovation Blueprint

Hunter‑Uhryn’s Next Growth Milestone

To fuel the next wave of expansion, Hunter‑Uhryn stresses the need for a deeper regional outreach. With sizable portions of the territory still under‑served, the network plans to broaden its footprint and forge new links.

Outreach Contractor Plan

• Within the next few months, the team aims to recruit a contractor for one year.
• This contractor will enhance outreach efforts and build the missing connections.

Large‑Scale Projects in Progress

One major initiative is the potential new data centre located in the Municipal District of Greenview. Though still in the early phases, the centre is regarded as a possible anchor for future innovation.

Innovation Driver

• Hunter‑Uhryn believes the data centre will be a big driver for innovation.
• “I think that’ll be a really big driver for innovation moving forward up there,” she says.

Focus on Innovation Conditions

Current efforts concentrate on establishing the conditions that allow innovation to take root across the entire region.

Grand Prairie’s Distinct Regional Perspective

Raising the Priority on Local Needs

In a province where attention remains largely focused on urban technology hubs, the Grand Prairie team offers a different view. Their strategy is grounded in local needs, extended cross‑regional partnerships, and a long‑term outlook that ensures innovation is not confined by geographic boundaries.

Watch the interview:

Innovative Series Overview

Collaboration Highlights

This collection is crafted in partnership with the Alberta Regional Innovation Networks, providing groundbreaking solutions for a dynamic future.

• Expert Guidance – Leveraging network expertise for smarter outcomes.
• Technology Access – Unlocking advanced tools for accelerated progress.
• Strategic Partnerships – Forging alliances that drive collective growth.