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Central Alberta Regional Innovation Network

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FROM IDEA TO EXPORT

BUILDING INNOVATIVE BUSINESS IN CENTRAL ALBERTA

Welcome to the Catalyst Incubator. This unique, cohort-based program will help foster new ideas, make critical connections, and help your start-up business. The Incubator will focus on supporting start-ups in manufacturing, agriculture, technology, energy innovation, and more. 

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The Catalyst Incubator is a place to begin the first stages of business entrepreneurship and validate new ideas to grow resiliency and prosperity for the future of our Alberta economy. 

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The Catalyst Incubator is 100% funded by CARIN through Alberta Innovates and is FREE to attend for all eligible entrepreneurs.

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INCUBATOR COHORTS

Our past incubator programs supported new early-stage startups. This incubator supported development with 8-weeks of programming and over 50 hours of training, coaching, and mentorship/peer support.

 

For our upcoming Incubator, we are looking for entrepreneurs who have big ideas for Manufacturing and Agriculture. Would you like to be a part of an Incubator? Our upcoming Incubator is OPEN for registrations. Watch our Program Video HERE.

OUR FUNDERS

Your Business Innovation Network and Resources

ADVISORY

Resources your need for the next step

WHAT SETS US APART

There are plenty of incubators out there for hopeful entrepreneurs. What makes ours different for new business in Central Alberta?

 

  • The incubator will focus exclusively on central Alberta and its most impactful industries, allowing for maximum potential and success

  • CARIN has enhanced partnerships with several partner organizations in the region, which will contribute to the incubator’s reach and ultimate success. This includes Red Deer Polytechnic (formerly Red Deer College), Olds College, Alberta Innovates, Community Futures Central Alberta, Access Prosperity, Platform Calgary, and many more

  • From the start, we strongly emphasize the strategic development and export of these ideas from the region, setting companies up for success

  • No other incubators focus on our cohorts of manufacturing and agriculture.

THE IDEA(L) CANDIDATES

It takes a special kind of person to become a seasoned entrepreneur, who will stick with an idea through its inception and execution. These idea(l) candidates are:

 

  • Trainable, enthusiastic, and determined. There is always a risk that the first idea flops, but a great candidate will learn the tools necessary to turn subsequent ideas into a successful business

  • Coachable, as much of the incubator involves work with industry experts on how to identify and overcome weak points in the business

  • Driven, as commercialization is a long and grueling process that refines raw ideas into functional business plans over the course of several months

  • Visionary, with an appreciation of how their company will impact the industry and change the economic outlook of the region and beyond

  • Early-stage! You don’t need to have a business, or even a business plan, to apply. We’re looking for passionate people who have experience in the industry and have an idea to drive it forward.

DATES AND DEADLINES

REGISTRATION IS OPEN for our upcoming Fall 2024 and Winter 2025 Catalyst Incubator. Apply today to see what is possible! 

ENTREPRENEURIAL BENEFITS AND PROGRAM FEATURES

An incubator can be the difference between ultimate success and failure for a new idea. Qualified entrepreneurs in the past received:

 

  • Access to coaches that guide them through the process and keep them focused with weekly tasks

  • Streamlined networking and introductions to the right people, who can advance ideas and research with expertise, and testing opportunities

  • Access to CARIN’s advisory services, including legal, tax, finance, market assessment, and risk factor

  • Access to industry experts

  • A fully-fledged support system that is designed to help achieve success

  • A better understanding of customer issues and which opportunities to pursue, as well as an understanding of engagement, testing, and feedback

  • Ground-up evaluations of risk factors and market solutions

  • Industry-specific training, such as classes, workshops, training, and mentorship, as well as the application of new technology to their chosen industry

  • Insights into how to build a robust and successful company, with both industry-wide and business-specific considerations

  • The Incubator is 100% funded by CARIN through Alberta Innovates and is FREE to attend for eligible entrepreneurs

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A sample of two of the past program outlines is available below.

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