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We’re pleased to announce a merger with SVS Group Chartered Accountants as we expand our presence in Edmonton. We continue to build the best team possible to meet your changing needs.

Yet, there are serious challenges.

“We have to ensure,” says Williams, “that we create an economy focused on the future and on diversity; but at the end of the day, we face stiff competition from the other provinces for capital. We have to highlight the positives of the Alberta advantage, what we are creating here and why the capital should flow into Alberta.

“It is also important for everyone to realize how the economy is evolving. Just 14 years ago we had tech companies but we had very little capital. Now, we are seeing this industry take on a life of its own and attract attention from Silicon Valley, other parts of the States and from around the world.”

Williams adds firmly, “Now let me be clear. We are not done yet. There is still not enough capital to meet demand. There are so many tech companies being launched in the province and a great increase in both quality and quantity. The demand for capital is going up and we need to keep pace if we are going to support this growth properly.”

Just a few of the many companies with a global reach that were funded in Edmonton include:

• Samdesk: A global disruption monitoring platform powered by big data and artificial intelligence helping clients protect their people, assets and brands with real-time crisis alerts.

• DrugBank: The world’s first intelligent and comprehensive drug knowledge platform. With the help of artificial intelligence, DrugBank authors, verifies and structures all of the latest biomedical information so that it can be used to its fullest potential.

• G2V Optics: uses the most precise LED solar simulation and is used and trusted by researchers around the globe.

• Drivewyze: A technology service provider that delivers savings and safety benefits for commercial vehicle operators.

• Showbie: A hybrid learning platform empowering millions of educators to quickly and easily manage classroom workflow and deliver personalized feedback to students, of all learning abilities, on any device.

Williams says with pride, “In Edmonton people don’t wait for someone else to present solutions. We simply do things. In addition to the most innovative tech, Stantec, PCL, Amii and U of A – recognized as one of the best universities in the world – are all local success stories. As a city, we can take great pride in this.”

She continues, “I have looked all over the world and you know where I want to live? Here. I don’t want to leave Alberta. As long as you buy long underwear for the winter, it’s a wonderful place to live.”

Williams gets to see Alberta through fresh eyes, having not grown up here. However, those eyes see the past, present and future of the province and she is convinced that the province never lost its signature Alberta advantage.”

“People,” she says with conviction. “People are Alberta’s biggest advantage. There is a ‘barn raising’ culture here. Everyone helps everyone out. Nowhere else can you walk into an elevator and have a conversation with a stranger. People are a massive advantage due to the entrepreneurial spirit found here. Also, we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. People travel from all over the globe to visit Alberta.”

The very nature of AEC is giving back robustly to the province, but outside of the boardroom, AEC gives back in other ways too. The enterprise was foundational in helping to launch the Start Alberta Tech Awards to help celebrate local entrepreneurs and their achievements. AEC also has a public statement of diversity, equity and inclusion and lives those values every day throughout all aspects of the organization. AEC promises a lifelong commitment to diversity internally and through its portfolio selection and fund management processes.

As for Williams, she was humbled to receive an innovator of the year award from Junior Achievement, but she immediately points the finger not at her herself but to all of the components that empowered the recognition.

“It’s not about me. It’s about the tech sector. It’s about industry. It’s about celebrating people. AEC and its success are the products of our team, our board, collaboration with government, the province, our partners, funders and our families. It’s all intertwined; it’s all connected. Without the government of Alberta that saw the untapped potential of our emerging tech sector years ago, AEC would not exist.”

What comes next?

Williams is resolute as she says, “More and more tech companies are opening in the province and the demand for capital is increasing. AEC is investing at a faster pace to keep up. We will continue to drive change. We must ensure that we can meet the demand for capital. I see this as a very pivotal role for AEC.”

Alberta’s history has always been rich in resources, entrepreneurship and opportunities. When we work collaboratively and with an eye to the future, we all prosper together. The meaning of the Alberta advantage has changed over the years and the resources the province relies on continue to diversify. Now, with tech poised as the next big frontier, Williams and her team are ushering in the next chapter of Alberta’s history, learning from the lessons of the past and working to create a stable sector that will drive every other industry forward. The time is now, and AEC is ready. So, without further ado, let’s evolve.

Learn more about AEC at www.alberta-enterprise.ca and on Facebook and Twitter.