Geomatics
Industry Profile
Geomatics
Alberta is a world leader in innovative geomatics technologies, with the sector traditionally focusing on supporting resource management solutions.Alberta's Strengths
Technical Expertise
- Alberta has technical expertise in a number of geomatics disciplines including geophysical services, as well as surveying and mapping services.
- Geophysical Services – Alberta specializes in locating and measuring subsurface resources such as oil, gas, and minerals. This includes a high variety of surveying techniques such as magnetic surveys, gravity surveys, seismic surveys, and electric/electromagnetic surveys.
- Surveying and Mapping Services – Alberta specializes in mapping out areas about or below the surface of the earth, such as the creation of view easements or segregating rights in parcels of land by creating underground utility easements.
Strong Post-Secondary and Research Capabilities
- The University of Calgary is a recognized research leader in technology for autonomous vehicles, geomatics engineering, data security, aerospace geomatics and transportation systems optimization.
- Alberta has a number of post-secondary institutions with strong geomatics capabilities.
- University of Alberta – Geographical Information Science
- University of Calgary – Geomatics Engineering
- University of Lethbridge – Geographical Information Science
- Northern Alberta Institute of Technology – Geomatics Engineering Technology
- Southern Alberta Institute of Technology – Geomatics Engineering Technology
- Alberta has a very strong academic community in the field of geomatics, which discusses architectural and industrial challenges that extend to various disciplines like AR
- TECTERRA helps Canadian geospatial technology companies achieve commercial success by investing in product development and commercialization.
- Between 2009 and March 2017, TECTERRA has committed investments totalling $40 million, with $28 million in matching funds from industry to generate 337 net-new jobs and $203 million in economic impact.
Success Stories
Decisive Farming Corp.
Based in Irricana, Decisive Farming is a precision agronomy and data management service provider, providing highly scalable solutions to crop farmers and agriculture service providers.
Boreal Laser
Boreal Laser develops and manufactures laser-based gas detection services. Headquartered in Edmonton, they have installations in over 45 countries and their products are used in a variety of industries.
AKS Geoscience
Calgary-based AKS Geoscience has over 25 years of domestic and international project experience focused on the application of near surface geophysical methods in solving complex environmental and engineering issues as well as multispectral satellite imaging technology
Business Support Programs - Government of Alberta
Alberta Investor Tax Credit (AITC) - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-investor-tax-credit.aspx
AITC is a tax credit for encouraging investment in non-traditional sectors with strong job-creation potential.
Alberta Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Credit Program - https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/scientific-research-experimental-development-tax-incentive-program.html
A tax credit for businesses conducting R&D leading to new, improved, or technologically advanced products or processes.
Alberta Innovates Funding Programs - https://albertainnovates.ca/funding/
Funding programs for Alberta businesses doing research and development in a variety of sectors.
Research Capacity Program - https://www.alberta.ca/research-capacity-program.aspx
The RCP funding program supports post-secondary institutions in acquiring small equipment and large research infrastructure.
Alberta Export Support Fund - https://www.alberta.ca/export-support-fund.aspx
The Export Support Fund reimburses up to 50% of costs on approved export activities for Alberta’s small and medium sized enterprises.
Cybera Rapid Access Cloud - https://www.cybera.ca/services/rapid-access-cloud/
Cybera officers free cloud computing resources to Alberta-based academics, researcher, non-profits and SMEs.
Business Support Programs - Government of Canada
Industrial Research Assistance Program - https://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/irap/
IRAP provides innovation and funding services to accelerate business growth through innovation and technology.
Strategic Innovation Fund - Federal - https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/programs/strategic-innovation-fund.html
This program allocates repayable and non-repayable contributions to firms of all sizes across all of Canada's industrial and technology sectors.
Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Credit - https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/scientific-research-experimental-development-tax-incentive-program.html
SR&ED is a federal tax incentive program designed to encourage Canadian businesses of all sizes and in all sectors to conduct research and development in Canada.
CanExport - http://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/funding-financement/canexport/index.aspx?lang=eng
CanExport provides financial support to SMEs for development of new export opportunities.
Canadian Technology Accelerators - http://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/cta-atc/index.aspx?lang=eng
This Government of Canada initiative helps Canadian companies with an existing technology, product or service explore opportunities in foreign markets.
Support Organizations
TECTERRA - http://www.tecterra.com/
Tecterra provides programs and funding to Alberta companies involved in commercializing geospatial solutions.
Alberta Geomatics Group - https://www.albertageomaticsgroup.ca/
AGG acts as a facilitator to promote geomatics innovations amongst the sectors and augment business development opportunities.
The Urban Regional Information Systems Association - https://www.urisa.org/
URISA is a multi-disciplinary geospatial organization supports the growth of the GIS profession.
Alberta Society of Surveying and Mapping Technologies - https://assmt.ca/
ASSMT provides accreditation for qualified individuals involved in surveying, mapping and related geomatics occupations.
Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association - https://www.alsa.ab.ca/
ALSA is Alberta’s professional association for land surveyors.
Alberta Innovates - https://albertainnovates.ca/
Alberta Innovates is a catalyst for innovation. Innovators, businesses and researchers can easily tap into our collective assets – cross sectoral knowledge and expertise, funding, networks and research facilities.
TEC Edmonton - https://www.tecedmonton.com/
TEC Edmonton helps to accelerate the growth of emerging technology-based companies in Edmonton.
Platform Calgary - https://www.platformcalgary.com
Platform Calgary works to engage, activate and globalize Calgary’s innovation ecosystem - building upon the city’s potential to become a global hub for startups and innovation.
Alberta Business Incubators - https://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/app68/biia?cat1=type&cat2=Mixed-use
A list of business incubators in Alberta for a variety of industries.
Accelerate Fund - https://www.acceleratefund.ca/
The Accelerate Fund supports early-stage Alberta technology companies with a venture capital fund that matches angel investment.
Edmonton Research Park - http://www.edmontonresearchpark.com/
ERP provides access for startups and growing companies to workspace, programs, and research communities. They also make land available to companies building research facilities in biotechnology, nanotechnology, clean energy and oil and gas support.
Startup Edmonton - http://www.startupedmonton.com/
Startup Edmonton supports local entrepreneurs through the provision of mentorship, programs, co-working space and community events.
Startup Calgary - https://www.startupcalgary.ca/
Startup Calgary provides a variety of events and programs for entrepreneurs in the startup phase.
Edmonton Economic Development - http://www.eedc.ca/
EED supports economic development in the city of Edmonton.
Calgary Economic Development - https://www.calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com/
CED supports economic development in the city of Calgary.
Online Directories
Connectica - https://www.connectica.ca/i3/
A directory of funding, programs, and services for Alberta innovators.
Business Link - http://businesslink.ca/service-provider-directory
A directory of service providers for Alberta businesses.
Innovate Canada - https://www.ic.gc.ca/app/scr/innovation/list-liste/a38d3341e44c4327
The Government of Canada’s directory of business support programs.
Start Alberta - https://startalberta.com/
Start Alberta provides a database of companies, investors, and organizations in Alberta.
Contacts
Investor Contact
Mei Huang, Senior Director, Invest Alberta
Email: mei.huang@gov.ab.ca
Alberta Business Contact
Tim Olsen, Senior Director, Technology Partnerships and Investment
Email: tim.olsen@gov.ab.ca
Phone: 780-644-4970
Business Support Programs
Capital Investment Tax Credit (CITC)
Alberta Investor Tax Credit (AITC)
Canada-Alberta Jobs Grant (CAJG)
Alberta Export Support Fund
Export Readiness Micro-Voucher Program
Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Credit
Canadian Agricultural Partnership
Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit