The Pulse: June 3, 2024

UpRow, an Edmonton-based app marketplace that assists newcomers, won a pitch competition on May 31 at the Inventures conference by Alberta Innovates in Calgary. It's the second win for UpRow at Inventures in as many years.

"Between last year and this year, we have grown a lot — we've made some really big, significant strides," company founder and CEO Kelise Williams told Taproot at the event. "We have launched the second version of our app, we are onboarding new partners, and we're really extending our reach."

Williams and her company got $10,000 in the Tech Triathlon: Quantum + AI + IoT track of the main Inventures pitch competition. Last year, UpRow was one of five winners in The51's HerStory competition at the conference.

UpRow was the lone Inventures winner from the Edmonton region in 2024 across six main pitch tracks and five ancillary tracks. "I'm happy that there was at least one," Williams said, through a laugh.

The closest to taking a win was one young innovator in the ancillary Student Pitch Competition. MacEwan University's Sujit Velmurugan came second for his marketing automator, Workflow. Meanwhile, Aryan Panchal of InterviewPal from the University of Calgary placed first. Though based in Blue Sky City, Panchal is basically an honorary Edmontonian because of his time working with AltaML and that company's ongoing advisory to his interview-coaching startup.

UpRow was joined in the Tech Triathlon: Quantum + AI + IoT track by bio-sensing company Fringe Field Technologies.

Edmonton also-rans in the Inventures pitch competitions included iClassifier, Golu Hydrogen Technologies, Standard Field Systems, and Wound3, as well. Nanoprecise served as an alternate.

On May 30, Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi joined Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek in a conference forum to speak about civic government's role in innovation. "I want to talk about why some folks are not in this room, how our society excludes people," Sohi, a former newcomer to Canada, said. "Innovation is about people. If people's capacity to innovate is not built, then society suffers … We have a fundamental responsibility (with) the programs that we provide to unlock their potential."

Sohi's remark was somewhat prophetic for Williams's win a day later, given her work with UpRow is also focused on unlocking potential. "When newcomers settle quicker, we all benefit," she said. "The quicker we can get newcomers into their dream careers, the quicker they can contribute back to society."

Williams will next travel to London Tech Week as part of a delegation by Edmonton Global, Calgary Economic Development, and the province. Inventures returns to Cowtown in 2025. Taproot will continue coverage of Inventures in this week's roundup newsletters.

Photo: UpRow CEO and founder Kelise Williams won $10,000 from the Inventures startup pitch competition. (Colin Gallant)

• Edmonton city council is expected to extend public hearings on the new district planning system, which would divide the city into 15 districts and aims to guide future development. Most speakers during public hearings last week were opposed to the changes, with many concerned about a lack of consultation. Key issues include the potential for taller buildings in residential neighbourhoods and discrepancies in land use plans, particularly regarding industrial versus agricultural use in the Rabbit Hill area. The hearings will resume June 3, but could continue on June 25 if councillors haven't heard from all speakers.
• University of Alberta professor Sandeep Agrawal appeared on CTV News to clarify misconceptions about 15-minute cities, which were a topic of discussion during Edmonton city council's public hearings on the new district planning system. The concept aims to develop neighbourhoods where all basic needs can be met with a 15-minute walk, bike ride, or transit trip, but the idea has been the subject of backlash and conspiracy theories. "It's a total myth that somehow people will be locked down and confined to a 15-minute distance," Agrawal said, though he acknowledged that some concerns are focused on increased density.
• The City of Edmonton is partnering with the Downtown Business Association to launch the city's first-ever entertainment district on Rice Howard Way as part of a pilot project to revitalize downtown and encourage foot traffic, featuring live entertainment, games, and food and drinks from local businesses. The area will be closed to vehicle traffic from 7am on Saturdays to 10am on Sundays until the end of August, aiming to boost foot traffic and support local businesses post-pandemic.
• Edmonton's Food Bank is continuing to experience unprecedented demand, serving more than 42,000 people in April, a significant increase from previous years. Executive director Marjorie Bencz emphasized the urgent need for more community support and government intervention, as people struggle with high rent and grocery prices. Alberta's food insecurity rate is 27% higher than the national average, according to a new report from Food Banks Canada.
• The federal government announced a $109.9-million investment in four projects at the University of Alberta's PRAIRIE Hub for Pandemic Preparedness to develop vaccines, diagnostics, and other health measures. The funding is intended to strengthen Canada's biomanufacturing and life sciences sector, ensuring better preparedness for future health emergencies.
• The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Dallas Stars 2-1 in Game 6 on June 2 to become the Western Conference champions and advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2006. The Oilers will face off against the Florida Panthers, with Game 1 of the series set for June 8.
• West Anthem has released a report titled "Resonant Energies: A Music City Strategy for Edmonton," outlining steps to transform Edmonton into a vibrant music city. The strategy emphasizes improving infrastructure, regulatory support, and fostering local talent to retain musicians and boost the local economy. "We grow great local talent, and then they leave and they move. So how do we keep that talent here?" said Puneeta McBryan, executive director of the Edmonton Downtown Business Association and a West Anthem steering committee member.
• Edmonton's Chinatown is hosting its inaugural Dragon Festival from June 8 to July 1, featuring a Dragons Unleashed Parade and cultural events to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. Organizers hope the festival will help heal the community after past tragedies, including the random murders of two men in 2022, and highlight Chinatown's significance to all Edmontonians. "It's a very important part of our culture and history here in Edmonton, and we need to preserve that and build the fabric of the communities," said Joanna Wong of the Chinatown Transformation Collaboration Society of Edmonton.
• Taste of Edmonton will mark its 40th anniversary from July 18 to 28 at Churchill Square, featuring 88 new menu items and 11 new restaurants. Presale tickets are now available, with a sheet of 40 tickets costing $59.50 until July 17. The festival will also introduce THE MARKET by Wholly Handmade, featuring more than 90 local vendors.
• Eight Edmonton organizations, including RaricaNow and Not Just You, are receiving nearly $700,000 in grants from the Foundation For Black Communities to support 2SLGBTQ+ refugees and those affected by sickle cell disease. The grants are part of a broader $9.1 million initiative supporting 107 organization across Canada. RaricaNow will use its $250,000 grant to provide housing and support services for 2SLGBTQ+ refugees, while Not Just You will use its $99,785 grant to help people with sickle cell disease.
• LAZ Parking has been awarded a contract to manage parking services at Edmonton International Airport, marking its entry into the Canadian market. The company will oversee self-parking, valet, ground transportation, and shuttle services at the airport.
• The Alberta NDP held its final leadership debate at the Edmonton Convention Centre on June 2, where candidates Sarah Hoffman, Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse, Kathleen Ganley, and Naheed Nenshi made their final pitches to members. Party members can begin voting on June 3, with the winner of the race to replace outgoing leader Rachel Notley announced on June 22.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Elder Abuse and Sage Seniors Safe House starting at 2pm at Edmonton Public Library (Jasper Place)
• Financial Literacy: Financial Survival for Entrepreneurs starting at 6pm at Edmonton Public Library (Castle Downs)
• Pop-Up Choir on the Square: ABBA starting at 6pm at Churchill Square
• Screening: Wilfred Buck starting at 7pm at Metro Cinema

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• June 16: kihêw waciston Presents: Aysanabee at MacEwan University
• June 19: Dr. Marie Wilson: Keeping Reconciliation Alive at the Citadel Theatre
• June 21: National Indigenous Peoples Day at Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society

Visit the beta version of the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.