ASTech Foundation Information

For over 35 years, the ASTech Awards - the Alberta Science and Technology Leadership Awards - has brought together Industry, Government, Academia, and Entrepreneurs to celebrate outstanding contributions and achievement in Discovery and Innovation in Alberta. Since 2021, the ASTech Awards has been supported by Technology Alberta, a not-for-profit, and an Advisory Board of innovation leaders and champions. Started in 1989, ASTech's mandate has been to support Alberta science and technology innovators by bringing together a foundational community for all of Alberta's key industry sectors. Innovation and groundbreaking scientific and technological discoveries are made every day in Alberta. By recognizing & rewarding those with the courage to innovate, we can attract and retain the best and brightest from around the globe. The ASTech Awards has become the "Academy Awards of Discovery & Innovation in Alberta" - celebrating with a Gala Awards event which takes place in Edmonton or Calgary each year. Since 2023, an "Opening Ceremony" has been added - akin to the "Opening Ceremony of the Olympics" where all can come and meet the Finalists at an event held at a major post-secondary, and provide a welcome into the connected community which has a focus to support innovation. Since 2025 a third annual event has been added - "the ASTech Regional Innovation Spotlight" which takes place in a different rural region every year, in partnership with Alberta Innovates. Grande Prairie was the founding location for this event, and future options include: Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Lloydminster, Fort McMurray, Vermilion, Olds, Jasper, Brooks, Innisfail, Jasper, Hinton, Athabasca, and more - supported by the Regional Innovation Networks of: APEX, East Central RIN, CARIN, RINSA, WBRIN, GPRIN, ERIN, and CIC.