Be honest: Lethbridge isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you think of quantum computing or video game studios.
And that’s exactly the point.
Charlee Sereda, program manager of the RINSA (Regional Innovation Network of Southern Alberta) at Economic Development Lethbridge, says the region is defying expectations. From launching Canada’s first quantum Super Hub to forming a Game Developers Guild, this southern Alberta region is building an innovation economy on its own terms.
At Inventures 2025, Digital Journal had a series of rapidfire chats with seven RINs. Sereda offered a ground-level look at how the Lethbridge-based network is helping southern Alberta attract new industries, collaborate across regions, and prepare rural innovators for the next wave of opportunity. Her perspective sheds light on how Canada’s innovation economy is diversifying, and why what happens outside the big cities may matter more than ever.
Creative industries and food innovation are gaining ground
The Lethbridge region is seeing early momentum in creative industries, particularly game development. In a region known for its agriculture, Sereda acknowledges the inherent systemic challenges, especially when it comes to accessing specialized talent.
“We are pretty rural, so some of the supports that you can find in urban centers, we don’t get very readily down in the rural areas,” she explains. “So we’re looking for specialized support, specific technical support in engineering, as we don’t really have engineering schools in Lethbridge.”
She adds, “we’re also looking to build out a talent pipeline for our software developers and game developers.”
The aforementioned guild, as a result, will support [Lethbridge] Polytechnic and the University [of Lethbridge] and their graduates that are coming into game development in further establishing the industry in the region.
That kind of alignment between education and entrepreneurship is baked into RINSA’s approach. The network was originally founded in 2011 as a collaboration between Alberta Innovates, Economic Development Lethbridge, Lethbridge Polytechnic, and the University of Lethbridge. Today, its membership has expanded to include more than a dozen partners, from municipal governments to Indigenous-led economic development organizations.
Game development is one part of a broader push into technology-driven sectors, especially creative industries. At the same time, the region is deepening its role in food and agriculture innovation. Sereda points to projects for Canada’s Premier Food Corridor, and growing activity in supply chain technologies and the agri-food umbrella.
One standout is local freeze drying technology company D-Freeze. “They have recently found different product verticals to expand into,” Sereda explains. “They have doubled their revenue since coming to Inventures last year, and are continuing to take off and make massive strides in the food industry.”
From media to agri-tech, southern Alberta is beginning to stitch together a more diversified innovation economy.
Challenges persist in talent and technical capacity
For all the momentum, rural regions still face systemic challenges.
RINSA addresses some of these challenges through tailored support for entrepreneurs at different stages. Its programming helps early-stage startups move from concept to commercialization, while also supporting scale-ups as they pursue new markets and product lines. The network also prioritizes inclusivity, working with underrepresented groups including Indigenous communities and newcomers to ensure equitable access to innovation resources.
These initiatives reflect broader issues facing rural innovation ecosystems across Canada — particularly in ensuring access to advanced training and opportunities outside major centres.
Collaboration across Alberta’s networks is key to scaling impact
The province’s regional innovation networks were created to ensure that innovation support reaches all corners of Alberta. In practice, that has led to close coordination between networks, with digital tools playing a central role.
“We collaborate very well together,” says Sereda. “A really good example of this is we actually all have a virtual office space on the Remo platform where we can spend some time together, plan events and do other collaborative projects.”
The shared platform enables pitch competitions, networking days, and other events that connect innovators across Alberta, no matter their location. That sense of coordination helps smaller centres plug into a province-wide support system.
RINSA also works closely with post-secondary institutions, helping entrepreneurs tap into research, prototyping, and educational programs. These help bridge the gap between academic research and practical business applications in a region without a large urban tech sector.
Looking ahead, Sereda says there’s more on the horizon. The quantum Super Hub was announced in May, to be located at Tecconnect, offering new research and development capacity. And the High Level Innovation Conference, the region’s signature event, will return for its third year in 2026.
A new kind of innovation story for Canada
Sereda’s outlook reflects a broader shift in Canada’s innovation landscape. Rather than replicating what’s happening in major hubs, rural networks are focusing on their strengths — tight-knit communities, local post-secondaries, and targeted support for emerging sectors.
“I am looking forward to continuing to support innovators,” she says. “We’re seeing such a high concentration of new technologies in our region.”
As Canada works to broaden its innovation economy beyond a few urban centres, the efforts underway in southern Alberta offer an alternative model — one grounded in collaboration, sector diversity, and a willingness to experiment outside the spotlight.
Watch the interview
This series is produced in partnership with the Alberta Regional Innovation Networks
