Innovation Masterminds Alberta was a pre-accelerator designed to facilitate the launch of successful commercial ventures from academia. Fueled by university-driven innovative technologies, Innovation Masterminds Alberta was created to enhance the volume and quality of innovations and commercial activity leaving the university and entering Alberta's business and innovation ecosystem. Innovation Masterminds Alberta was offered free of charge to U of A, U of C, and U of L innovators and planned to expand its reach by working with postsecondary institutions across Edmonton.

The program supported researchers from the inception of their ideas or discoveries. Whether researchers were interested in licensing or commercialization, Innovation Masterminds Alberta filtered the most promising ideas, providing assessment and mentorship to advance innovative ideas to market. Innovators had the opportunity to connect with leaders in the Council of Founders, who volunteered their time to support the acceleration of innovative ideas. This gave innovators access to business critique and evaluation for investment.

To be eligible for the Innovation Masterminds Alberta program, innovations needed to meet all of the following criteria:

1. Be a novel discovery with a unique value proposition.

2. Include at least one Innovator who was currently associated with a participating postsecondary institution in one of the following capacities:

   • Faculty (Professors, Instructors, etc.)

   • Post-doctoral fellow

   • Graduate student

   • Undergraduate student

3. Be created as a direct result of a discovery made at the participating postsecondary institution.

Experience-based.
The Innovation Masterminds Alberta program engaged actual entrepreneurs and investors for experience-based input and support.

Academia-focused.
Unlike other programs, Innovation Masterminds Alberta overcame commercialization barriers specific to academia, provided support and guidance.

Outcome-oriented.
Innovation Masterminds Alberta focused on revenue generation, highly qualified personnel (HQP) job creation, and economic prosperity.

Industry-created and led.
Innovation Masterminds Alberta was created and led by proven entrepreneurs, constantly assessing feasibility, accountibility, and progress.

Efficient.
Innovation Masterminds Alberta’s attention to timely and specific needs expedited advancement and minimized expenses.