Platform Calgary and the Alberta government are partnering on a hackathon aimed at helping students identify future learning and work opportunities.
The HackIT.AB event will be the finale to Calgary’s Innovation Week, taking place from Nov. 26 to 28.
Nearly $10,000 will be up for grab for those students, grads, startups and tech companies who can produce a solution that helps students ID skill sets and education they’ll need for Alberta’s future labour market. The top prize is $5,000.
“Together with the Government of Alberta, and our many partners in the Alberta Innovation Network, we are bringing together young innovators from across the province to share their skills and expertise while we give them the connections and mentorship to become an active part of our future economy,” said Terry Rock, president and CEO of Platform Calgary.
“HackIT.AB is a great way to grow and strengthen Alberta’s fast-evolving innovation community. I can’t wait to see what participants create.”
In Calgary Economic Development’s Economic Outlook earlier this week, Alberta’s Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation, Doug Schweitzer highlighted the amount of venture capital investment that coming into the province for innovation.
In a prepared release, Minister Schweitzer said the number of tech companies has doubled in Alberta since 2019 and the province needs more skilled workers.
“HackIT.AB will showcase the very best of our tech talent and show the many ways our post-secondary students can become part of our rapidly growing tech sector,” he said.
On the final day of the event, projects will be given to a panel of judges to select a winner.
Registration for the event is free.
