MNP is committing $135,000 over three years to sponsor the pitch stage at Edmonton Unlimited. Conversations about the partnership, which was officially unveiled at an event on Sept. 9, began several years ago, MNP officials told Taproot. Dustin Sundby, MNP's managing partner for the Edmonton region, said the partnership "feels so natural" given MNP's long-standing role in supporting entrepreneurs. "The MNP Pitch Stage represents more than sponsorship," he said. "It's a commitment to creating a place where Edmonton's most promising ideas can be shared."
Edmonton Unlimited has required a founder's pitch at every event it has hosted in its space this year, CEO Tom Viinikka told attendees. "The more opportunities that founders have to do that — to practice, to tell their story, and to put themselves and their ideas out there — the stronger they become," he said. Lelia Lawson, co-founder and chief technology officer of Zylotex, delivered the first official pitch from the newly named MNP Pitch Stage, bringing the year's tally to 469. Lawson, whose company makes advanced materials from agricultural waste, told the audience it is seeking $2.5 million to build a facility in Edmonton. "Thank you to Edmonton Unlimited and MNP for the invitation, and for creating a space where founders can share what they're building and connect with the people who can help move it forward," she posted.
The initial sponsorship provides $35,000 in the first year, $45,000 in the second, and $55,000 in the third, alongside financial literacy programming and office hours with MNP staff. Sundby said the firm has hosted sessions on capital-raising and cash-flow management, and its partners and team members contribute as angel investors, mentors, and advisors. MNP has been active in the growth of Edmonton's innovation community as a sponsor of ThresholdImpact Venture Mentoring Service and through its own gatherings, including the popular Tech the Halls holiday event. "This stage is a visible representation of MNP's commitment to the Edmonton ecosystem and innovation community," Viinikka said. He closed with a call-to-action for what comes after the pitch. "Find out what they're building, find out what they need or who they need to meet, and help that culture of pitch proliferate," he said.
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Economic development
The Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute is partnering with the federal government to deliver the National AI Literacy Initiative, a new program to provide free instruction "designed to help Canadians build the skills they need to use AI safely, effectively, and confidently in their daily lives." Three programs for students, educators, and all Canadians are to roll out on Sept. 21. "This national mandate is a profound validation of Amii's proven track record in AI literacy and we are deeply proud to answer this call," Amii CEO Cam Linke said at the Sept. 9 announcement with Minister Evan Solomon, who is responsible for AI and digital innovation.
Rogers and OEG have extended their partnership for 10 more years, keeping Rogers Place as the home of the Edmonton Oilers through 2036. To mark Rogers Place's 10-year anniversary, Rogers is distributing more than 1,500 Oilers tickets to customers throughout the season, including 300 for the home opener against the Vancouver Canucks on Sept. 29. Meanwhile, Coun. Michael Janz posted condolences, calling the arena debt "an albatross for our city" and arguing that the deal has been bad for Edmonton. "The enormous amount of public money spent could have done so much more for our civic pride, our city, and our community," he wrote.
Lockheed Martin Canada is investing $11.7 million in Avalon Holographics. The maker of holographic display technology is headquartered in St. John's, but its research, development, and fabrication lab is in Edmonton. The investment, tied to Lockheed Martin's obligations under Canada's Industrial and Technological Benefits policy, is expected to support high-skilled jobs in both St. John's and Edmonton.
NAIT has broken ground on the Advanced Skills Centre planned for 2030, a facility described as the polytechnic's largest project to expand trades and technology training capacity. The 625,000-square-foot facility will consolidate 29 programs in areas including construction, transportation, manufacturing and energy.
Construction has begun on Canada's largest carbon capture and storage project near Clive in central Alberta, which will be connected to the Alberta Carbon Trunk Line. The line carries carbon dioxide from a fertilizer factory in Redwater and the Sturgeon Refinery near Edmonton.
Startup TNT has extended applications for its fall 2026 Edmonton investment summit until Sept. 21. The summit connects early-stage companies in Edmonton and northern Alberta with angel investors through a structured, team-based due diligence process. The pitch night is set for Oct. 1, with the summit finale on Nov. 12.
Product innovation studio BITO Lab held its soft launch on Sept. 1, running a workshop on problem framing for founders and community members. Founder Saida Barre said BITO Lab teaches human-centred design methods — including customer feedback, usability testing, and MVP development — to help solve urgent community problems, with support from the Edmonton Regional Innovation Network's Janice Baskin and Sheila Moore.
The University of Alberta launched Roots and Relations, a four-course, non-credit microcredential program that connects Indigenous identity, values, and community purpose with practical entrepreneurship skills in finance, governance, strategy, and storytelling.
Sturgeon County farmers reported a slow start to the harvest after record summer rain left fields saturated. Just 0.3% of crops in the region had been collected by Aug. 25, compared with the 10-year average of 2.7%. Farmers warned that drowned crops, muddy fields, and extra drying could reduce yields and complicate next spring.
The Edmonton International Airport noted increased capacity to deliver Edmontonians to sunny climes in the winter. Porter Airlines is launching four new routes, including its first international service from Alberta to Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos in Mexico; Flair Airlines is bringing back flights to Cancun; Air Canada is adding non-stop service to Montego Bay, Jamaica; and WestJet is increasing its capacity from Edmonton by 34%.
Startups and SMBs
Tech startup Tenir is launching its first product on Sept. 16, offering a free 30-day pilot for 10 restaurants. Relay is operations software meant to help restaurants replace paper checklists, group chats, and verbal training with a digital system. Founder and CEO Harrison Mantla recently pitched the app to Hanjan.
Materials startup Zylotex has signed an agreement making InnoTech Alberta its official pilot facility in Edmonton. Co-founders Lelia Lawson and Wade Chute plan pilot-scale processing and fibre development work in the coming months.
Lithium-extraction company CANDLE Lithium posted that it is raising capital to build a permanent commercial demonstration plant. "This is the facility that takes the technology from field-validated to commercially demonstrated at the scale partners and investors can evaluate directly," the company said. "It is the final step between where Candle is now and full commercial deployment across its partners network."
MagnetaMR is developing a portable, AI-informed, low-field MRI device that could cost as little as 10% of the $1.5-million to $3-million price of conventional, fixed-place MRI machines. The Edmonton startup received a $100,000 grant from the Alberta Cancer Foundation in 2025 and has since hired Shawn Fraser, who has 25 years of health-industry experience, as its executive director of business development and strategy.
Birch and Bear owner Josh Wilhelm said in an interview with 880 CHED that Imagine Jasper Avenue construction had cut off safe public access to the restaurant, leaving customers with a narrow route through the Pearl Tower's private walkway. After his social media post drew attention, Mayor Andrew Knack visited, and the contractor added a temporary platform, but Wilhelm said poor communication and prolonged construction continue to hurt nearby businesses.
49 DZine co-owner Michael Rainy Chief ended a five-year human rights complaint against the City of Edmonton over the cost of getting a business licence for the Calgary-based clothing store's Edmonton location, citing mounting legal fees. "We feel like we have a good case," he told APTN, "but … what if we miss? And what could we have done with that money for our community?"
Get a sneak peek at the Critical Medicines Production Centre
See Edmonton's pharmaceutical manufacturing future take shape during Life Sciences Week. Join the Life Sciences Campus tour at the Edmonton Research Park on Sept. 21 for a sneak peek at the Critical Medicines Production Centre, and meet the innovators bringing new health technologies to market. For a broader look at Alberta's life sciences ambitions, explore the role of research, manufacturing, and collaboration in a conversation with Sir Michael Houghton.
Federal ministers Gregor Robertson and Eleanor Olszewski joined Alberta's Nathan Neudorf in Edmonton on Sept. 9 to announce a $220-million federal investment under the Build Canada Homes initiative, as well as a $165-million provincial investment. The funding will support 21 affordable housing projects, delivering 1,460 new units.
Berlin Communications is installing a nine-foot throne in downtown Edmonton office lobbies through Oct. 9 as part of a marketing campaign for its "Kingdom of Ardrossan" campaign for Strata Developments. The campaign notes the 28-minute commute from downtown Edmonton to the Strathcona County hamlet, where home prices and taxes are lower than in the city.
Leston Holdings has acquired the 26-storey Pinnacle Tower west of downtown for $61 million, with 200 of its 249 residential suites to be designated as affordable units carrying rent increases capped at inflation. CEO David Mitton said the company plans to improve street-level retail and add amenities, building on its other downtown holdings, including Edmonton House and the David Thompson and Axis Tower.
Edmonton city council approved a new tax subclass that allows higher taxes on derelict commercial properties, including stalled construction sites with abandoned pits. The measure follows the city's derelict residential property tax subclass, which was introduced in 2024. Councillors said abandoned commercial properties have contributed to safety concerns, including fires that have damaged neighbouring businesses. Additional work is needed before the new bylaw can be enforced.
Coun. Michael Janz is proposing a fee on developers for each tree removed during construction of new neighbourhoods on the city's outskirts. Janz argues developers currently do not account for the environmental costs of clearing forests and wetlands, leaving taxpayers to fund tree planting and other climate-related measures. The proposal would apply to new developments, while a separate bylaw under consideration would address tree removal on established properties and infill sites.
A new facility will provide 40 affordable housing units for veterans experiencing homelessness. Veterans' House Edmonton will offer subsidized rents, community spaces and access to mental-health, employment and life-skills supports. Organizers say veterans account for about 7% of Alberta's homeless population. The facility is expected to open shortly after Remembrance Day.
Edmonton's real estate market is entering its seasonal slowdown, with the REALTORS Association of Edmonton reporting 2,143 sales in August, down 9.8% from a year earlier, while the average price across all property types fell to $469,602. Apartment condominium sales dropped the most, down 18.7% year over year. RAE board chair Darlene Reid said ample supply could put downward pressure on prices if demand doesn't keep pace.
A survey by Rates.ca found nearly half of Canadians who have renewed a mortgage since January 2025 now spend half or more of their household budget on housing. Mortgage broker Marc Crossman said the renewal squeeze is also being felt in Edmonton, despite the city's relatively lower housing costs compared with other Canadian metropolises.
More headlines
The Business Council of Alberta is urging voters to reject separation in the Oct. 19 referendum, warning that leaving Canada could create economic uncertainty and put jobs, businesses, and household finances at risk. Council president Adam Legge said Albertans can push Ottawa for greater fairness without taking what he called a "risky gamble" on separation. The council cautioned that issues including borrowing costs, property values, employment, and access to national transportation networks could be affected.
Five University of Alberta student leaders warned that the Oct. 19 referendum on Alberta's place in Canada threatens the university's future. They noted the university contributes about $19.5 billion to Alberta's economy annually, and alumni-founded companies add $136.4 billion more, representing 41% of provincial GDP, contributions they said depend on federal funding tied to Alberta's block transfer.
The organizers of the ASTech Awards have announced all the finalists for its 37th annual awards, with opening ceremonies in Calgary on Sept. 18 preceding the gala on Nov. 6 in Edmonton.
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