Calgary aerospace hub launches with $3.9 million investment
Aerospace innovators will gain access to funding, business support and the ability to validate their technologies in real-world settings at Calgary’s Aerospace Innovation Hub (“AIH”) thanks to an investment of…
Aerospace innovators will gain access to funding, business support and the ability to validate their technologies in real-world settings at Calgary’s Aerospace Innovation Hub (“AIH”) thanks to an investment of $3.9 million over four years by the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (“OCIF”).
AIH is managed by Innovate Calgary, with inaugural industry partners WestJet, the Calgary Airport Authority and Chapter.ai Ventures.
Between 2024 and 2028, the AIH is expected to support incubator programming for up to 180 companies and create 150 net new skilled, indirect jobs. As part of this, the AIH will directly fund six companies through the accelerator program aimed at upskilling and attracting talent to the province. Through the provision of resources available from OCIF funding, the hub is expected to generate $1.5 million of research and development (“R&D”) and 40 patents supported through ElevateIP Alberta.
The Aerospace Innovation Hub joins the University of Calgary’s network of four themed innovation hubs managed by Innovate Calgary, including the Life Sciences Innovation Hub, the Energy Transition Centre and the Social Innovation Hub.
The Calgary Airport Authority will provide both a physical space for the AIH as well as opportunities for innovators to apply their solutions to real-world airport scenarios. WestJet will serve as the anchor airline company.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to announce WestJet’s partnership in Calgary’s new Aerospace Innovation Hub. This hub will drive innovation into Western Canada’s aviation ecosystem and make a powerful impact on our guests and community,” said Christian Novosel, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer at WestJet.
The AIH is currently accepting new companies looking to expand to or within Calgary. Entrepreneurs, start-ups, scale-ups and large corporate partners from aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors are invited to join the AIH.
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