Year in review: Hydrogen hiccups, arts fundraising, tech summits
In 2024, Taproot reported on several stories that continued to evolve after we published them. Here are some updates.
Hydrogen hiccups see backers stand firm
The original story: While Taproot regularly reports on hydrogen's potential due to its prominence in the region, one 2024 story that stood out was the growing number of people questioning the fuel's viability for consumer vehicles. Ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, 120 scientists shared their distrust of the hydrogen fuel-cell Toyota Mirai, to be used at the games, with the International Olympic Council. Meanwhile, Californians who leased the same model from Toyota launched a class-action lawsuit. Still, stakeholders in the hydrogen ecosystem like Edmonton Global celebrated the Edmonton International Airport's acquisition of 100 Toyota Mirais in June. Taproot also covered the international congregation at the annual Canadian Hydrogen Convention, the optimism for hydrogen in trucking along key trade corridors, Canada's first hydrogen quality testing centre at the Edmonton Research Park, and how industrial businesses that use hydrogen are flocking to the region.
Then what? As industry interest in hydrogen grew, NAIT responded with a new course. Its Introduction to Hydrogen Vehicles is a micro-credential course that includes the theory behind hydrogen-powered vehicles, safety, regulations, and more. The curriculum, and NAIT's larger goal to "drive net zero," are supported by partners that include the Alberta Motor Transport Association, the City of Edmonton, and Diesel Tech Industries. Speaking of the AMTA, the organization hosted the debut of Verne's cryo-compressed hydrogen technology for heavy-duty vehicles at an expo in September. In June, the 5,000 Hydrogen Vehicle Challenge also shared a post that compiles more news on NAIT's hydrogen training, Velocity Truck Centres's opening of Alberta's first hydrogen and natural gas refuelling bay, and more.
What's next? There are two hints that more hydrogen news is coming this year, plus one sure thing. NAIT will eventually add another new hydrogen course, though there are still few details to share. The other unknown is what will change with the Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB, which its founding chair and Sturgeon County Mayor Alanna Hnatiw teased will "take on a new form this year." Hnatiw declined to comment further when contacted by Taproot. The Canadian Hydrogen Convention returns from April 22 to 24 at the Edmonton EXPO Centre and industrial sites. The convention typically includes announcements and displays of new tech.
Teatro Live! and other arts organizations bridge funding gaps
The original story: In 2024, Teatro Live! launched a club to repay its pandemic loan, which it called The 400 Club. The idea was that if 400 people donated $100 each, Teatro Live! could raise $40,000 of the $60,000 it owed for a Canadian Emergency Business Account loan. In exchange, donors would receive a tax receipt and be invited to a thank-you party. The long-running theatre company started by Stewart Lemoine was not the only arts organization that called for public support in 2024. Metro Cinema raised money in the spring to replace its sound system and just wrapped another fundraiser for its endowment fund at the Edmonton Community Foundation. Also, the Where Edmonton Community Artists Network/Harcourt House Artist Run Centre is at $105,831 of the $150,000 it is hoping to raise towards the $3.5 million purchase of its titular home.
Then what? Teatro Live's 400 Club campaign eventually totalled $46,006.76, the company shared in June. Arts funding remained in the news in 2024, too. In a later story, Taproot learned that the Edmonton Arts Council changed its funding strategy for arts organizations due to its own stagnant budget. While the organization does not believe this will cause significant challenges, new multi-year funding and the renewal of existing multi-year agreements is unavailable until 2026. The new strategy has increased its focus on safety and inclusivity, as well, and applicants who receive poor peer assessments may see their funding decreased or restructured. The EAC also found a permanent new executive director, Renée Williams, in 2024.
What's next? Teatro Live! is in the midst of its 2024 to 2025 season. There are three shows to go: Lemoine's The Noon Witch from Feb. 21 to March 9; On the Banks of the Nut, also by Lemoine, which runs May 30 to June 15; and Neil Simon's The Odd Couple, which runs from July 11 to 27. Each show has a preview the day before its official run. All shows take place at Varscona Theatre.
Tech investor grows but faces challenges
The original story: In 2024, OligomicsTx was the first of three Edmonton-based companies to win a StartUp TNT summit finale, which it did back in March. The maker of RNA-targeting therapies for rare neuromuscular disorders earned at least $155,000 in investment at the Life Sciences Summit, held at the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute. In June, SketchDeck.ai, which uses AI and machine learning to automate estimates in the construction industry, won at least $150,000 at Summit IX. Finally, The Fort Distillery also received at least $150,000 in investment at Summit X.
Then what? Startup TNT experienced both achievements and challenges throughout 2024. In February, the non-profit was recognized as the most active pre-seed and seed stage investor in Western Canada by the Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association. In April, Startup TNT launched in British Columbia, but then paused its Manitoba operations in July. In October, Startup TNT received a SABEX Award for community impact from the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce. Later that month, it shared a code of conduct that aims to protect its community members from harassment and discrimination. Its biggest update came in a December post, which said the organization needs to streamline its operations and layoff staff. The changes Startup TNT shared it will undertake include creating a greater emphasis on the independence of its regional chapters, restructuring some of its summits, and hiring a new executive director.
What's next? The search for a new executive director for Startup TNT is underway. Recruitment is being led by Artemis Canada. The post calls for someone based in Western Canada (and "ideally Edmonton") with operational expertise, financial leadership, and more. As far as summit events go, the December post said four summits will take place at some point this spring: Edmonton, Calgary, British Columbia, and Agri-Food. The Cleantech, Life Sciences, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba events "are being restructured for future Summits, some as early as Fall 2025," the post said.
