One of the many benefits about being an entrepreneur in Southern Alberta is having access to an incredible partner and resource network. Economic Development Lethbridge has cultivated numerous partnerships to help our local business and entrepreneurial eco-systems with answers to questions, expert guidance and expertise and opportunities to investigate potential funding and investment options. Our partner network includes local nd regional businesses and business owners, every level of government and a wide array of organizations dedicated to helping an idea or business flourish.
EDL, though Tecconnect is one of the founding partners on the Regional innovation Network of Southern Alberta (RINSA). This initiative, began in 2011 and now includes 15 organizations dedicated to the success of entrepreneurs, through the use of technology and innovation and applying these fundamentals to their business model. You can find out more about RINSA members further down this page.
Some of the innovative projects born out of Economic Development Lethbridge in prior years have included the Women Entrepreneurs in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (WESTEM) program which was developed to help rural and remote female entrepreneurs in Southern Alberta. The Rural Women in Tech (RWEIT) initiative helped leverage technology to help female and underrepresented groups with access to tools and resources for their start-up or business idea. ElevateIP Alberta is a partnership between EDL and Innovate Calgary and was created in 2023 as a way for entrepreneurs to learn and manage their intellectual properties.
RINSA Organizations
Economic Development Lethbridge
EDL is an independent, not-for-profit organization representing industries and sectors in the Lethbridge region. Its focus is to strengthen and develop the Lethbridge economy by initiating and facilitating proactive economic strategies and promoting Lethbridge as an excellent place to live, learn, invest, visit, and do business. Tecconnect is an EDL owned and operated centre for entrepreneurship and innovation. It is a space and community that offers training, support, and networking opportunities connecting start-ups with experts.
University of Lethbridge
The University of Lethbridge is a publicly funded comprehensive academic and research university, founded in the liberal education tradition, located in Lethbridge, AB. The U of L is considered one of Canada’s top-ranked universities and leading research institutions, attracting more than 8700 undergraduate and graduate students from around the world each year.
Lethbridge Polytechnic
Lethbridge Polytechnic is a publicly funded community college with ongoing enrolment of over 4000 students. Located in Lethbridge, AB, Lethbridge College is a member of the Alberta Rural Development Network, creating models of rural community development through collaboration in research and learning.
Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce
The Lethbridge Chamber is the Voice of Business for Lethbridge and the region. With continued growing members of over 800 businesses, the Chamber pursues advocacy to take advantage of new opportunities for the region, while providing valuable services and resources to the members, and participating at both the provincial and national levels to advance the cause of business Canada-wide.
Piikani Resource Development
Piikani Resource Development is a wholly-owned corporation of the Piikani Nation, an aboriginal organization that represents Piikani Members. PRDL’s purpose is to create economic development opportunities on the Piikani Nation.
Blood Tribe Economic Development
Blood Tribe Economic Development is a department of Kainai-Blood Tribe Administration, located in Stand Off, AB, and facilitates the development of private, public, and corporate enterprises and initiatives that build a self-sustaining economy for members of the Blood Tribe.
Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council
Siksikaitsitapi – Blackfoot Confederacy is a Tribal Council for the Blackfoot Confederacy Nations of Kainai-Blood Tribe, Siksika, Peigan-Piikani and Aamskapi Pikuni. The Siksikaitsitapi – Blackfoot Confederacy has been established to bring the four Nations together to deal with common issues. Formalizing the unification of the Blackfoot Nations will facilitate an integrated and effective approach to implementing initiatives designed for the betterment of the lives of the Siksika (Blackfoot) people. The Declaration of Siksikaitsiitapiwa or Blackfoot Confederacy was signed in Lethbridge on the 25th of May 2000. The Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council instated an Entrepreneurship committee in 2022.
Community Futures Lethbridge Region
Community Futures is the Lethbridge branch of the Community Futures Network of Alberta, a non-profit business loan and business development organization, supporting small business development and rural economic diversification in Alberta.
ElevateIP Alberta
ElevateIP Alberta is delivered in partnership by Innovate Calgary and Economic Development Lethbridge. Its core mission is to help founders manage, leverage and protect their intellectual property with the support of business accelerators and incubators (BAIs).
Alberta Southwest Regional Economic Development
Alberta Southwest is an economic development partnership of 16 rural communities representing a population of 35,000. With a Board of Directors comprised of elected officials from each community, Alberta Southwest provides support for local businesses and attracting new enterprise in the region.
SouthGrow Regional Initiative
SouthGrow is an economic development alliance of 27 southern Alberta communities (representing over 170,000 people), committed to working together to further develop economic development goals for the region.
BIPOC Foundation
As part of the intricate tapestry of Canadian multiculturalism, BIPOC Foundation was established to create significant entrepreneurship opportunities for diverse communities. With federal Economic Development investments announced via Government of Canada News Release and Global News, we work among a network of influential non-profits delivering on mandates to diversify the Western Canadian economy.
Okotoks Economic Development
Okotoks Economic Development works to enable a business climate that is conducive to business success through leadership, knowledge exchange, referrals, education, research, coaching and providing assistance on various levels for the Town of Okotoks.
Alberta Innovates
Alberta Innovates is a provincial organization that supports the entire innovation spectrum – from the generation of new ideas through applied testing to commercialization or end-use. They provide funding programs, advice, connections, technical expertise and applied research services to stimulate and grow research and innovation across Alberta.
NRC - IRAP
The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) provides advice, connections, and funding to help Canadian small and medium-sized businesses increase their innovation capacity and take ideas to market.
Other Partners and Support
Prairies Economic Development Canada
PrairiesCan is the federal department that supports economic growth in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Its programs and services help businesses, not-for-profits and communities grow stronger. Its mandate is to support economic growth and diversification in the Prairie provinces and advance the interests of the region in national economic policy, programs and projects.
Canadian Council for Indigenous Business
The Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) helps keep Indigenous businesses at the forefront of the Canadian economy, fostering relationships between Indigenous entrepreneurs and Canada’s institutional enterprises to cultivate shared prosperity.
Canada's Premier Food Corridor
Canada’s Premier Food Corridor (CPFC) is a collaborative network of economic development professionals and municipalities committed to driving growth in Southern Alberta’s agri-food sector. Through strategic investment attraction and industry advocacy, we are fostering a thriving business environment for agri-food innovation and expansion.
Canada's Western Gateway Trade & Logostics Corridor
Canada's Western Gateway is a trade and transportation corridor that will support and enhance the economic opportunities in southern Alberta. As a collective of eight key stakeholders and more than 20 potential partners, we are working together to create a high-performance corridor that is essential for moving goods through road, rail and air transportation.
