Are your kids fans of Minecraft? It was introduced in 2009. Also introduced in 2009 were GMail, Chrome, the first mining of Bitcoin by Satoshi Nakamoto, and the popularization of the hashtag on social media. A personal favorite of mine? Uber was launched in 2009, forever changing the way we think about taxi rides.
In Alberta, much like the rest of North America, our economy was hit hard by the Great Recession in 2009. Investment scaled back significantly, prompting the Alberta Government to take drastic measures to protect our innovation and research ecosystem. Building on the innovation framework established in 2008 and the introduction of the Alberta Research and Innovation Act, the government streamlined internal organizational structures. They formed a single advisory body to oversee research and development progress and consolidated overlapping entities into four board-governed provincial corporations focused on bioindustries, energy and the environment, health, and technology. Despite the economic downturn, investments in the two Heritage Funds (Medicine and Engineering) remained intact to preserve research and innovation in health and commercialization.
Despite these challenges, innovation and entrepreneurship in Alberta continued to thrive. In 2009, we saw the launch of Beamdog, a video game studio founded by Trent Oster and Cameron Tofer, both former Bioware employees. They began by releasing updated versions of Dungeons and Dragons favorites like Baldur's Gate. Wine Collective, Canada's largest wine club, also started in 2009, offering a monthly subscription service that ships wine directly to customers' doors. Additionally, Ionic Solutions launched the development and manufacturing of green tech for sustainable water desalination.
In 2009, the ASTech Awards presented 13 awards to outstanding innovators. Here is a sample of the winners:
Embedia Technologies, a Calgary-based company founded by three University of Alberta engineering graduates in 2002, was recognized for its achievements in environmental technology and innovation. They developed advanced, custom-designed shading systems that integrate with smart building technology to enhance energy efficiency. Notably, they designed a shading system for the Bovis Lend Lease Headquarters in Sydney, Australia, the first building in the country to receive a 5-star energy rating. Their Dynamic Facade Controller adjusts shades based on external environmental factors like temperature and sunlight, reducing the need for traditional air conditioning and optimizing natural light.
Airdar Inc. earned the ASTech Outstanding Achievement in Applied Technology award for its revolutionary leak-detection technology, offering a transformative solution for monitoring and capturing fugitive emissions in the oil and gas sector. Developed by Dennis Prince, Airdar's innovative approach uses advanced air detection and ranging technology to automatically identify and quantify emitting sources with unprecedented efficiency and accuracy. This technology not only aims to reduce methane emissions and validate reductions but also helps recover valuable resources, enhance facility safety, and resolve odor problems. With its advanced capabilities and patent protection, Airdar is setting a new standard in environmental sustainability and operational optimization for the oil and gas industry.
In 1998, the University of Alberta spin-off biotechnology company CanBiocin was co-founded by professors Dr. Lynn McMullen and Dr. Michael E. Stiles. They focused on food safety, particularly in meat, solving issues of controlling food-borne pathogens using bacteriocins—natural substances produced by bacteria that inhibit the growth of pathogens like Listeria. Their products, micocin® and Procin®, provided natural protection using lactic acid bacteria and genetically modified bacteria, respectively. CanBiocin Inc. has since expanded, with its commercial probiotic products being included in pet foods and treats as part of the National Animal Supplement Council's Preferred Suppliers Program.
This post is in partnership with Technology Alberta and the ASTech Awards, celebrating the impact of 35 years of innovation in Alberta, tying our past to our present. Our thanks to Lisa Carter and Neil Goud for their research and support.
Comments