2022 R2SI Fellow receives Digital Talent Champion Award From Start Alberta

Members of the IncluCity Calgary team receiving their award at the 2022 Start Alberta Tech Awards

Congratulations to IncluCity!

IncluCity, a fellow in our inaugural Research to Social Innovation Incubator (R2SI) program, has been awarded the Digital Talent Champion Award on November 17. The award, presented by SAIT, celebrates leaders (individuals, programs and companies) working towards developing and fostering the digital talent ecosystem to accelerate innovation and diversification in Alberta.

IncluCity’s mission is to make user testing more inclusive and responsive so all Calgarians can benefit from new technology and innovations. However, testing organizations aren’t the only beneficiaries of IncluCity Calgary’s services. Marginalized communities also have access to supports that can improve their digital literacy.

“Sometimes members of our pool of testers have not had much exposure to technology, so our team works closely with them to improve their digital literacy through training programs, hands-on experience and networking opportunities” says Geoff Zakaib, President of IncluCity.

“Everyone must be a digital citizen right now to really be able to thrive economically, culturally and socially, in Calgary, Alberta and Canada. We want to give everyone the best chance of success through our program.”

Read IncluCity’s Press Release

 

Research to Social Innovation Incubator (R2SI) supports innovators in making social impact

“I’m thrilled that IncluCity is being recognized with this Digital Talent Champion award. As their coach in R2SI, I’ve been able to follow and support their journey during our 6 month Incubator program and witnesses their diligent and thoughtful systems approach to building the trust, relationships, and track record to deliver rigorous inclusive user testing and training for their volunteers” says Joanne Nowak, Senior Innovation Manager, Social Innovation Hub

The Research to Social Innovation Incubator (R2SI) supports start ups and research projects in social innovation to validate their social impact and business development processes through regular coaching; industry mentoring; networking and peer support; and skills development through targeted workshops. Innovation Managers work with teams to take their evidence-based solution to the next level by providing wrap around services focused on validating their social ventures and scaling their impact, and connecting them with the resources and networks to reach their next key milestone.

Applications open for the R2SI program

“We’re just wrapping up the first R2SI cohort at the end of this year, and will continue to support IncluCity and the other teams in the cohort as they take their next steps forward.  We are now accepting applications for our next cohort. I look forward to working with our next cohort of social entrepreneurs in 2023 and learning about their vision, their story, and their curiosities, as we work together to move their impact forward. If you would like to learn more about the key wrap-around service we provide to social-impact oriented teams, I would love to hear from you.” says Joanne Nowak, Senior Innovation Manager, Social Innovation Hub.

Contact Joanne