InceptionU is among organizations fuelling the next generation of tech talent within Alberta.
The nonprofit builds learning solutions to address skills gaps in a rapidly changing digital economy.
“Our programs are designed to build competencies individuals need for the future of work,” the company states online. “Programs are immersive, discovery-driven, and experience-based in an environment that is active, challenging, and supportive.”
The organization also collaborates with local companies to further empower their students. One example is their partnership with New Idea Machine, which has graduates working on real software projects, gaining valuable experience until they’re able to find full-time employment.
More recently, a Calgary-based startup stepped in with some financial aid. Earlier this month, a presentation at InceptionU saw multiple program students receive a bursary to help cover learning fees.
The two $1,000 bursaries hail from Shane Fast of Athennian, a cloud-based business entity management technology company that raised $33 million through a Series B round last year.
Learners Maggie Chew and Tosin Kasaba, slated to graduate later this month, were onsite to receive the award.
“It’s really encouraging and makes me feel like the work that I’m doing here at InceptionU is really impactful,” said Chew.
Chew added that Athennian “is really invested in working to foster the talent in this city, so they really are the diligent builders that they want to be.”
The Alberta company’s software powers legal, tax, and finance teams to digitize, streamline, and manage business entities and company structures. It was cofounded by Fast in 2017.
“Their personalities really came through in their written responses and then when I had the chance to meet them, I could immediately see the passion and interest they have for the tech space and the investment they’ve made in their own growth,” stated Shane Fast of the InceptionU cohort.
Kasaba was satisfied knowing local companies are supporting regional ecosystems.
“As we are working on ourselves, it’s nice that there are people out there supporting you and helping you with this process,” said Kasaba, who is inspired by the fact that through “hard work you can achieve anything.”
These “Sharpen Your Pencil, Amplify Your Impact” bursaries are designed to financially contribute to the learning of up-and-coming tech talent and spotlight the journey they have pursued during their months of training, according to InceptionU.
As for Athennian, it was recently named a company-to-watch by Deloitte Canada.
“With Athennian, teams are transaction, audit, and compliance ready at a moment’s notice, ultimately increasing trust and transparency,” stated Adrian Camara, chief executive officer of Athennian, last year. “Enabling companies to better manage hundreds or thousands of corporate entities as well as helping them easily achieve corporate transparency is one of the main drivers of Athennian’s growth.”
Both InceptionU and Athennian continue to contribute to Alberta’s innovation economy, which remains robust.
