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Alberta Bets Big on Startups: Is This the Game-Changer Local Founders Have Been Waiting For?
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Alberta Bets Big on Startups: Is This the Game-Changer Local Founders Have Been Waiting For?
🚀 Alberta's boldest startup network just launched—early-stage founders, your moment is HERE!
Edmonton Buzz Team :)

Edmonton Buzz Team :)

Aug 20, 2026

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Trivia Question❓

How many floors does the Stantec Tower in downtown Edmonton have, making it the tallest building in Canada outside of Toronto and Vancouver when it opened in 2019?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Happy Thursday! 🥂

 

Edmont connect launches to support early-stage companies.

 

Let's look into it!

 

The Edmonton Buzz Team 🐝

Our featured story

In the news this week

Edmonton’s startup scene is surging as local entrepreneurs tap into fresh funding and mentorship through innovative programs like Alberta Capital Connect.

 

This initiative, led by industry veterans, aims to bridge the persistent funding gap for early-stage ventures.

 

Access to capital, once a major barrier, has eased, thanks to support from investors and experienced mentors eager to nurture homegrown talent.

 

Excitement is mounting as the ASTech Awards and dynamic accelerator events spotlight local innovators, elevating community ambition and providing critical exposure.

 

Growth isn’t just about funding, mentorship and collaboration between tech hubs, universities, and established firms form a robust ecosystem for aspiring founders.

 

Diversity and responsible scaling are priorities, with women- and minority-led startups increasingly front and center.

 

Edmonton is now recognized as a vibrant hub where next-generation companies can thrive, no relocation required.


Read More...
 
 

What's happening?

Things to do this weekend

1. Outdoor and Nature

ESO Outdoors: Edmonton Symphony Orchestra musicians perform in parks across the region, bring a lawn chair.

Date: Thursday, August 20 – Sunday, August 30, 2026 (opening days fall in this window)
Location: Various venues, Edmonton area
Cost: By donation
Click for details

Edmonton River Float: Guided float down the North Saskatchewan River through downtown, gear and shuttle included.

Date: Saturday, June 27 – Sunday, September 6, 2026 (ongoing through this window)
Location: North Saskatchewan River, Walterdale Hill
Cost: $25 to $40
Click for details

Free Admission Day at Elk Island National Park: Stargaze, hike, or spot bison at no cost, about 35 minutes east of the city.

Date: Friday, June 19 – Monday, September 7, 2026 (ongoing through this window)
Location: Elk Island National Park, Fort Saskatchewan
Cost: Free
Click for details

Blooms on 7 U-Pick: Harvest your own bouquet from a curated field of over 250 varieties of cut flowers.

Date: Saturday, August 1 – Sunday, September 13, 2026 (ongoing through this window)
Location: Blooms on 7, Sherwood Park
Cost: $5
Click for details

Twilight Picnic Experience: A curated picnic for two along a leafy path at the botanic garden, timed to sunset.

Date: Friday, August 7 – Friday, September 11, 2026 (ongoing through this window)
Location: University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Spruce Grove
Cost: $104 + tax for two
Click for details

2. Shows & Entertainment 📺

The Womp Music Festival: A weekend camping music festival with a diverse lineup and big sound.

Date: Thursday, August 20 – Sunday, August 23, 2026 (runs through this window)
Location: Aspen Country Hills, Yellowhead County
Cost: $240+ weekend pass
Click for details

Bop To The Top: High-energy dance party celebrating 20 years of Hannah Montana and High School Musical.

Date: Friday, August 21, 2026
Location: Midway Music Hall
Cost: $28.75+
Click for details

SIGNALS: The BINI World Tour 2026: Global pop sensation BINIverse brings viral hits and a high-energy stage show.

Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Location: Edmonton EXPO Centre
Cost: $54.20+
Click for details

Free Summer Concert: Kirk Centre's annual free outdoor concert with local singers, dancers, food vendors, and artists.

Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Location: Kirk Centre
Cost: Free
Click for details

The Beach Boys: Mike Love leads the band celebrating 250 years of the USA and the 60th anniversary of Pet Sounds.

Date: Sunday, August 23, 2026
Location: River Cree Resort & Casino, Enoch
Cost: $105.60+
Click for details

3. Arts, Crafts & Culture 🎭

The Womp Music Festival: A weekend camping music festival with a diverse lineup and big sound.

Date: Thursday, August 20 – Sunday, August 23, 2026 (runs through this window)
Location: Aspen Country Hills, Yellowhead County
Cost: $240+ weekend pass
Click for details

Bop To The Top: High-energy dance party celebrating 20 years of Hannah Montana and High School Musical.

Date: Friday, August 21, 2026
Location: Midway Music Hall
Cost: $28.75+
Click for details

SIGNALS: The BINI World Tour 2026: Global pop sensation BINIverse brings viral hits and a high-energy stage show.

Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Location: Edmonton EXPO Centre
Cost: $54.20+
Click for details

Free Summer Concert: Kirk Centre's annual free outdoor concert with local singers, dancers, food vendors, and artists.

Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Location: Kirk Centre
Cost: Free
Click for details

The Beach Boys: Mike Love leads the band celebrating 250 years of the USA and the 60th anniversary of Pet Sounds.

Date: Sunday, August 23, 2026
Location: River Cree Resort & Casino, Enoch
Cost: $105.60+
Click for details

4. Family Activities & Kid-Friendly 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 

Edmonton Dragon Festival: Championship lion dance performances, cultural celebrations, and live entertainment in Chinatown.

Date: Friday, August 21 – Sunday, August 23, 2026
Location: Kinistinâw Park
Cost: Free
Click for details

Winds of Unity Multicultural Kite Festival: Music, food, games, and culture from Société Zantray d'Alberta.

Date: Sunday, August 23, 2026
Location: Rundle Park
Cost: Free
Click for details

YEGO 2026: Build a LEGO Mill Woods Transit Centre and LRT station at home, then bring your work to show off.

Date: Saturday, August 22 – Sunday, August 23, 2026
Location: Mill Woods Town Centre
Cost: Free
Click for details

Edmonton Corn Maze: 15 acres of Alberta farmland transformed into a maze for the season.

Date: Wednesday, August 5 – Sunday, October 25, 2026 (ongoing through this window)
Location: Edmonton Corn Maze, Spruce Grove
Cost: $13 to $18
Click for details

It's a Monster Mini Golf Summer Glow Up: Indoor mini golf with arcade games and interactive entertainment.

Date: Friday, June 19 – Monday, August 31, 2026 (ongoing through this window)
Location: Monster Mini Golf Edmonton
Cost: $12.45 per person (mini golf only)
Click for details

5. Night Life🌜 

Thunder From Down Under: The Australian male revue returns for an electrifying stage show.

Date: Thursday, August 20 – Saturday, August 22, 2026
Location: River Cree Resort & Casino, Enoch
Cost: $50.75+
Click for details

'NICE' District Comedy Night: Headliner Steven Darnell brings the laughs to this ICE District comedy show, limited seating.

Date: Friday, August 21, 2026
Location: The Banquet Bar
Cost: $20
Click for details

Juicy Moon Presents: Rainbow Rager - Pride Party: A Pride-season dance party tied to Edmonton's Pride Festival weekend.

Date: Friday, August 21, 2026
Location: Edmonton
Cost: Paid, ticketed
Click for details

Derrick Stroup: Stand-up set from the Alabama-born, Waffle House-loving comedian known for his rapid-fire delivery.

Date: Friday, August 21 – Saturday, August 22, 2026
Location: The Comic Strip
Cost: $35 to $45
Click for details

Late Night Public Access: Canada's premiere late-night variety talk show, hosted by comedians Wyatt Eddy and Brandon Peters.

Date: Sunday, August 23, 2026
Location: The Comic Strip
Cost: $10
Click for details

6. Sports⚾

2026 CPKC Women's Open: Canada's National Women's Open Golf Championship continues through the weekend.

Date: Wednesday, August 19 – Sunday, August 23, 2026 (runs through this window)
Location: Royal Mayfair Golf Club
Cost: $26+
Click for details

Edmonton Elks vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers: CFL Country Night matchup at Commonwealth Stadium.

Date: Friday, August 21, 2026
Location: Commonwealth Stadium
Cost: $24+
Click for details

97th Running of the Canadian Derby: Western Canada's biggest horse racing event, past meets present for an afternoon of racing.

Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Location: Century Mile Racetrack and Casino, Nisku
Cost: $28.35 to $276.03
Click for details

WWE Summer Tour: Featuring CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens, and more top WWE superstars.

Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Location: Rogers Place
Cost: $101+
Click for details

Monster Truck Throwdown 2026: Motorsport action as monster trucks storm the raceway.

Date: Friday, August 21 – Sunday, August 23, 2026
Location: RAD Torque Raceway, Leduc County
Cost: $20 to $53
Click for details

7. Meetups👬

Beyond Basics Lesson then a West Coast Swing Social Dance: A skills-building dance lesson followed by an open social.

Date: Friday, August 21, 2026, 7:30 PM
Location: Edmonton
Cost: Paid, drop-in
Click for details

Outdoor Free Salsa Class & Social: Beginner-friendly salsa lesson followed by an open social dance.

Date: Friday, August 21, 2026, 7:30 PM
Location: Edmonton
Cost: Free
Click for details

Circuit Break - Autumn Retro LAN Party: A retro gaming LAN party for artists, gamers, and makers.

Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026, 1:00 PM
Location: Edmonton
Cost: Paid, drop-in
Click for details

Live Music in the Park @ Sunset: An evening outdoor concert meetup for the Active Living Club community.

Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026, 7:30 PM
Location: Edmonton
Cost: Free or low-cost
Click for details

Walk and Talk: Practice languages on a guided walk through the river valley.

Date: Sunday, August 23, 2026, 2:00 PM
Location: River Valley, Edmonton
Cost: Free
Click for details

Sunday Community Board Game Night: Casual weekly board game meetup for artists, gamers, and makers.

Date: Sunday, August 23, 2026, 6:30 PM
Location: Edmonton
Cost: Free
Click for details

7. Food, Drink and Happy Hours🍿🍾 🍻🍔

Our Food & Drink, and Happy Hours sections are now featured exclusively in our sister publication Edmunchie.com : Click here

 

It's getting hotter...1

This Week's Weather

🌤️ Edmonton Weather Forecast: August 20 – August 23, 2026

A mild, mixed weekend with temperatures holding in the low 20s and alternating between sun and cloud cover, cooling slightly by Sunday.

 

📅 Thursday, August 20, 2026
🌥️ Overcast
🌡️ High: 20°C

 

📅 Friday, August 21, 2026
☀️ Sunny
🌡️ High: 20°C

 

📅 Saturday, August 22, 2026
🌥️ Overcast
🌡️ High: 20°C

 

📅 Sunday, August 23, 2026
☀️ Sunny
🌡️ High: 18°C

 

📡 Weather data sourced from Environment Canada (weather.gc.ca)

In coming...

Related stories from Edmonton Scoop

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:
66 floors

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Edmonton Buzz

© 2026 Edmonton Buzz.


EdmontonBuzz brings you the buzz from Alberta’s capital quick, fresh, and all about local life. From city stories and community voices to what’s trending around the river valley, we keep you in the loop without the scroll. Weekly snapshots of Edmonton’s spirit, right in your inbox.

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