Edmonton has 266 startups in our sample database. This represents about 4% of Canada’s startups. Edmonton is the 8th best startup ecosystem in Canada.
While Edmonton decreased by 4 spots in its global rank in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index of 2024, its ranking in Canada remained stable at 8 nationally since 2023.
Edmonton’s success as a startup ecosystem comes from its strong entrepreneurial culture and top-tier research institutions. The city values individual initiative and fosters a strong sense of community, relying on a bottom-up approach to tackle challenges.
Among its notable distinctions, Edmonton proudly claims a spot within one of Canada’s three AI superclusters, alongside Toronto-Waterloo and Montreal, further underlining its technological prowess.
What sets Edmonton apart is its affordability compared to other Canadian cities. . This economic advantage not only makes Edmonton a budget-friendly destination but also strategically positions startups within easy reach of major tech hubs across Canada. Canada itself stands as one of the world’s technological frontiers, with Edmonton contributing significantly to this landscape.
Edmonton’s tax-friendly environment adds more to its supportive business environment . With no provincial sales tax, payroll tax, health care premiums, and some of the lowest personal and corporate income taxes in Canada, the city optimizes every dollar invested in businesses. This, coupled with affordable housing options compared to the likes of Toronto and Vancouver, ensures a relatively lower cost of living
While government support plays a vital role in this ecosystem’s growth, the true essence lies in its grassroots development. Initiatives like Edmonton Unlimited, led by visionary entrepreneurs, have been key in nurturing an ecosystem that effectively channels the knowledge and research emanating from local post-secondary institutions and engaged citizens.
Edmonton’s innovation ecosystem holds untapped potential, poised to exceed expectations. The city possesses the requisite talent and technology ready to fuel entrepreneurial endeavors… By fostering a dynamic interplay between the public and private sectors, Edmonton’s startup ecosystem contributes significantly to Canada’s startup ecosystem growth .
14 startups
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14 startups
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The health check tables allow you to look at the performance Edmonton has in each of the parameters that are part of StartupBlink's ranking algorithm. There are five tables, corresponding to the three subscores, the subscore analysis and industry ana...
Startup Funding in Edmonton 2017 - 2024
From 2022 to 2023, startup funding in Edmonton has increased by 70.47%. During this period, the number of deals in Edmonton has decreased by 49.12%. Since 2017, total startup funding in Edmonton exceeded US$ $778.43M.
Average Funding in 2023
$6.20M
Funding in 2023
$179.70M
Deals in 2023
29
USD
Amount of Funding (USD)
Number of Deals
Edmonton is ranked within the top 150 startup ecosystems globally.
Edmonton’s startups excel particularly in Foodtech where it ranks 68 and in Energy & Environment, and Marketing & Sales. Find out more
Within Edmonton there is an increased attraction for entrepreneurs to set up their startups in industries such as Foodtech, Energy & Environment, Marketing & Sales. These three industries represent about 17% of the startups represented on the Startup Ecosystem Map of Edmonton.
Edmonton is Canada's 8th best startup ecosystem and is ranked 53rd in North America. With a population of 1M - 2M people, Edmonton is ranked 148th in the world. The city has some notable startup success stories including Jobber.
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A robust startup ecosystem creates a sense of community that brings entrepreneurs together and helps them feel less isolated. It gives them access to mentors, advisors, fellow entrepreneurs, and talents. The foundation of such an ecosystem largely relies on government support. Good policies create a fair and supportive environment that helps startups grow. Bad policies […]
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Startup Ecosystem of Edmonton | StartupBlink