XPrize Foundation establishes its first global hub at University of Calgary with $10M backing, boosting Canada’s innovation landscape.
In a landmark move that positions Canada at the forefront of global innovation, the XPrize Foundation has announced the University of Calgary as its first international hub — and its first-ever Canadian base. This milestone initiative will operate under a five-year $10 million CAD framework to spark bold solutions to the world’s greatest challenges.
A $3 Million Local Boost for Global Vision
To support this visionary hub, the Alberta government and the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) have each pledged $1.5 million. Alberta’s Minister of Technology and Innovation, Nate Glubish, hailed the partnership as a strategic step to “solidify Alberta’s position as a leader in technological advancements.”
The University of Calgary, known for its deep-rooted commitment to research and entrepreneurial thinking, will now serve as a nucleus for global competitions and innovation-driven events. The hub will host investor days, idea workshops, and summits that bring together leading entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry leaders.
Driving Exponential Change Through Global Collaboration
Anousheh Ansari, CEO of XPrize, emphasized the hub’s potential: “The University of Calgary is the ideal premier partner for the XPrize Canada Hub with its strong commitment to research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.” The initiative marks a significant step in XPrize’s strategy to establish a physical presence across continents — one that bridges innovators, thought leaders, and change-makers.
Launch events set for May 7 will feature a panel on systemic change through entrepreneurship and a “moonshot workshop” focused on tackling food, water, and waste challenges.
Canada’s Innovation Ecosystem on the Rise
The announcement follows a significant win for Canadian innovation: Dartmouth-based Planetary Technologies recently secured a $1 million XPrize for its carbon removal solution that uses treated seawater to extract CO₂ from the atmosphere. This is part of XPrize’s ambitious goal to remove 10 gigatonnes of CO₂ annually by 2050.
XPrize competitions span diverse sectors — from space and health to energy and climate. Backed by high-profile names such as Elon Musk, Amazon, Google, and IBM, the foundation has become synonymous with incentivizing breakthrough technologies through bold prizes.
Strengthening Calgary’s Global Reputation
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek lauded the development, stating that the partnership “strengthens our international reputation” and reinforces Calgary’s identity as a city “building a better future for everybody.”
As Calgary cements its place on the global innovation map, the XPrize Canada Hub promises to ignite transformative ideas that ripple far beyond its borders.
Stay tuned to Maple News Wire for more updates on global innovation, Canadian breakthroughs, and the future of entrepreneurship. At Maple News Wire, we bring you stories that shape tomorrow.
