Building from aeroponic systems pioneered by NASA, AerOrganic is the most advanced indoor vertical farming technology on the market. Advance Harvest’s AerOrganic system grows plants on an engineered vertical wall using advanced LED lighting technology and a patented low-pressure emitter that creates a nano-cloud (very fine mist) of water and nutrients that is applied automatically to the root and leaf zones at specified intervals. The nano-cloud penetrates the roots and leaves, providing unparalleled nutrition to the plant.

Advance Harvest is located in Wetaskiwan, Alberta.

Lana Walsh Coaching is committed to helping people sleep better through an innovative program developed at Harvard University. CBTi (cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia) is an all-natural process for overcoming insomnia involving sleep education, relaxation and stress reduction techniques, and specific sleep scheduling strategies.

Lana Walsh Coaching provides CBTi to groups of people via telehealth to improve quality of life, productivity and health. Its headquarters are in Lethbridge, Alberta.

The Painworth app helps people, lawyers, and insurance professionals easily calculate, manage, and settle personal injury cases in a quick, accurate way. This lets all the parties involved (especially claimants & insurers) avoid the stress, time delays, and unnecessary expenses typically associated with taking things to court.

Painworth allows Canadians to make informed decisions as to whether or not they want to or need to retain a lawyer or if they would like to try represent themselves instead. PainWorth even gives claimants some of the tools they need to represent themselves.

Painworth has team members and advisors in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta.

Teser provides quick and effective sanitization solutions, utilizing the virus-crushing power of UVC LEDs which have been carefully arranged and tested for maximum germ-killing ability. The Teser ACT requires only two-button operation, and shields the user from UVC rays during operation of the product. UVC can be used to sanitize electronics and hard-surface items, making it the most versatile solution for sanitizing day-to-day items in virtually every industry.

Teser Technologies is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta.

TRAD Worm Industries uses vermicomposting technology to divert food waste/organic landfill materials and produce worm castings - a biologically diverse, densely nutrient-packed, natural and safe bi-product.

Castings enhance regenerative reclamation, increase carbon absorption capacities, reinstate the plant-to-soil circular nature, boost plant and soil health, and omit plant dependence on synthetic inputs and fertilizers. TRAD Worm Industries is located outside of Medicine Hat, Alberta.

Loree is passionate about driving transformational change: building highly engaged and productive teams, partnerships and networks are some of her favourite things. As Chief Strategy, People and Credit Union Relations Officer, Loree leads transformation at Alberta Central by implementing the methodologies, programs and processes needed to help achieve our vision.

Loree has 30 years of experience in financial services, spanning a wide range of roles including retail banking, wealth management, insurance and operations. Most recently, as President and CEO of the Vehicle Sales Authority of B.C., Loree was responsible for the regulatory body that administers and enforces the legislation governing personal vehicle sales in the province. Her leadership experience across industries and provinces provides value to the credit union system, something she is enthusiastic about supporting.

 

“To me, innovation is all about creating value for customers and value is something customers will pay for.  This is critical to any small business model:  identifying a need and producing a solution that customers will see as value added.  And its not a one time event -  it requires constant focus in order to remain relevant. ”

 

Loree has a BA from the University of British Columbia and has since done certifications with the Institute of Canadian Bankers, the Canadian Institute of Financial Planning, Canadian Securities institute and Lean Sensei International. She has served as BC Chair for the Loran Scholarship Foundation since 2012 and as assessor/interviewer since 2006. She currently sits as Director on the Coast Mental Health Society Board and is chair of the Operational Performance committee.

Dr. Nikhil Joshi is a Calgary-based physician who specializes in internal medicine and clinical immunology. He is also a clinical trialist and cancer survivor.

Nikhil created Clinical Trial Hero, a free mobile app for iPhone and Android, in order to help people find clinical trials near them. The app also offers clinical mindfulness to help patients with chronic illnesses like diabetes, multiple sclerosis and cancer.

 

“Innovation is the key for small business to prosper. In the most challenging business environment of our lives, innovation and creativity are our greatest strengths.”

 

Clinical Trial Hero was awarded a Big Future Innovation Grant in 2020.

Jessica recently celebrated 20 years with Servus Credit Union, starting as a Member Service Representative before becoming a Branch Manager and now Manager Retail Operations Support.

Jessica also sits on the executive team of the Emerging Leaders of Alberta as Treasurer and Events Coordinator, as well as representing Servus Credit Union as the Chair for Corporate Challenge since 2007.

 

“Innovation to me is to identify a customer need and find a creative solution that will set the business apart from their competitors. A truly innovative business will be more resilient and remain more relevant. The ability to pivot and adapt to the ever demanding economic markets will be the key to success for small business in the future.”

 

In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, golfing, watching football, going to the gym and spending time with friends and family, including her amazing 8-year-old son, Lucas.

At his core, Jordan is an entrepreneur who always pushes growth and change. He was raised with a mindset that you should always question, challenge, improve, and creatively destroy.

As a Co-Founder and Principal at Stack’d Consulting, Jordan’s days are filled helping his clients establish and chase their strategic aspirations, rethink how they design and operate their businesses, aligning leaders around a common goal, and helping to integrate companies after they’ve merged with or acquired other companies.

Jordan is not afraid of a challenge and will always push his team and clients to be exceptional.

 

“Innovation is where dreams meet delivery to push society forward. Everyone has big dreams, but so few chase them down and see them through. It takes a special kind of person, the calculated risk taker, that’s willing to pursue an innovation agenda. Small businesses are built by those special people. Innovation, agility, and a willingness to fail are their greatest strengths; and the reason they will succeed.”

 

 

Remember that there are 1000 people out there telling you that you can’t, that you shouldn’t, that the risks are too great…. When they tell you this, they’re sharing their own story and preferences, not yours. So many are comfortable staying in their lane, that they aren’t out their paving their own.