How does the brain process what we see? To answer the question, passers-by tried to make a model of neurons out of pipe cleaners while wearing vision-flipping goggles.
This was just one of the many hands-on displays researchers from the University of Calgary brought to life at Inventures 2025 at the BMO Centre.
The University of Calgary was a main sponsor of Inventures 2025, the sixth annual edition of the conference. Photo Credit: Riley Brandt, University of Calgary
Organized by Alberta Innovates, the May 21-23 conference was designed to spark new ideas, accelerate startup growth and connect professionals from various disciplines.
"We create new knowledge every day, and we mobilize that knowledge for the benefit of society as quickly, as effectively as we can," UCalgary President Ed McCauley said in his introductory remarks. "To do this, we've created a significant innovation ecosystem largely driven by the support, the precious time and resources provided by our Calgary community."
Exhibits bring scientific solutions to life
UCalgary's participation united leaders from across research, innovation and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the university's commitment to shaping Alberta's future through cross-disciplinary partnerships.
Contributing a dynamic mix of exhibits and demos, UCalgary highlighted its research strengths and entrepreneurial spirit through interactive activations from:
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Faculty of Science
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute
- Innovate Calgary
- Schulich Makerspace
The exhibits highlighted advances in neuroscience, clean energy, engineering and digital health, demonstrating how UCalgary research is making an impact in these sectors.
Visitors explored 3D printing and robotics, brain-computer interfaces for paediatric care, and virus detection tools that brought breakthrough ideas to life.
Pitch competition supports startups
At Inventures, UCalgary also presented the TC Energy Ingenuity Pitch Competition, led by the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking.
With $50,000 in prize funding, the competition gave emerging ventures a platform to pitch innovative solutions and engage with mentors, investors, and industry experts.
Finalists came from three Hunter Hub programs Launchpad, Evolve to Innovate (e2i), and Business Playbook and showcased creative approaches to challenges in health care, sustainability, and sports.
The event gave early-stage entrepreneurs the opportunity to refine their ideas, gain real-time feedback from a diverse judging panel, and build valuable connections within Alberta's innovation ecosystem.
Learn more about the competition and the winning ventures here.
Shaping the future
UCalgary's presence at Inventures helped strengthen partnerships with industry, government and global innovation leaders, while reinforcing the university's role in driving economic progress in the community.
"Inventures is an extremely important event where crucial conversations happen," Dr. William Ghali, vice-president (research), said at the event. "These are delicate, but also exciting times. At the University of Calgary, we're focused on being part of the solutions."
Inventures 2025 made one thing clear: the future of innovation is not just being imagined at UCalgary it's being built.
