Tech Futures Challenge

Over this past Tech Futures Challenge cycle, we challenged our teams to share their journeys, insights, and innovations with the world through our social media competition. We’ve loved seeing the incredible content, behind-the-scenes moments, and passion from everyone!

While the competition was fierce... a massive congratulations to the winner of our draw, MIRRA CALL! 🏆

MIRRA CALL is doing vital work advancing age-tech and assisted living innovation ecosystems, and their dedication to sharing their story has been nothing short of inspiring. Thank you to the team for your incredible engagement, and to all the teams who participated and brought so much energy to this TFC cycle!

We can't wait to see you again soon!

What a day it was.

The Tech Futures Challenge 2026 Innovation Showcase brought together some of the most promising young innovators from across the country —and, Wow! They delivered.

From bold ideas to fully realized prototypes, this year’s teams demonstrated what’s possible when curiosity, creativity, and determination meet real-world challenges. The level of thinking, collaboration, and ex*****on on display was nothing short of remarkable.

To the teams: your hard work, resilience, and willingness to tackle complex problems head-on is exactly what the future of innovation needs. You’ve set a new bar.

We’re also sincerely grateful to everyone who helped make the day such a success —our judges, mentors, partners, volunteers, and guests. Your support, insight, and enthusiasm created an unforgettable experience for these young innovators.

And now, we’re proud to recognize this year’s award winners:

Best Prototype — $5,000
BioGate Dynamics - BMERIT - University of Calgary

Best Prototype (Returning) -- $5000
United Robotics of Lacombe - BEEWISE

Runner-Up — $2,500
University of Lethbridge iGEM team - MOSMAGE

Most Iterative Project — $1,000
Project 90 – Hip Abductor - University of Calgary

Most Tangible Next Steps — $1,000
IGEM Guelph - Lumifert

People’s Project Choice — $500
University of British Columbia (Vancouver) - BARK Watch

Congratulations to all of our winners —and to all participant who brought their ideas to life.

This is what the future looks like.

A quiet moment on stage before the announcements begin...

After a day of pitches, presentations, and thoughtful deliberation, our judges are ready to reveal this year’s TFC Innovation Showcase winners. We can’t wait to introduce them to you next week, so stay tuned!

Jim Gray is speaking, and people are listening.

A mentor, a builder, a connector --and someone who’s spent decades turning ideas into action. From the early days of Alberta’s energy sector to helping launch organizations that support communities across Calgary, Jim’s impact shows up in more places than you might expect.

He’s been a university student and an oilpatch entrepreneur, and now he’s a philanthropist and a connector of people and ideas. And his fingerprints are on a surprising number of undertakings in Calgary --whether it was chairing the first Petroleum Show --now known as Global Energy Show Canada-- in 1966 to connect Albertans to the energy sector, serving as chairman of the Canada West Foundation, being a director of the Calgary Stampede, or as the impetus behind numerous local organizations, including Momentum, the Calgary Homeless Foundation, the Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter, the Calgary Native Friendship Centre, Bow Valley Wildfire, and, of course, MindFuel.

The message he’s sharing is simple:
Don’t stop at identifying a problem.
Ask yourself —What am I going to do about it?

It’s a mindset that helped spark what would become MindFuel, rooted in a belief that access to science, technology, and opportunity should reach every community.

You can draw a straight line from that vision to today —youth innovators, ideas on display, and a room full of people asking what comes next.

If there’s one takeaway from Jim’s time on stage, it’s this:

Progress begins when someone decides to act. And that’s exactly what we’re seeing from our youth innovators today —ideas backed by action, and the willingness to take the first step toward something bigger.

We can’t wait to see where these teams go next.

Guy Levesque, Executive Director of the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary, is now leading a panel with Dr. John Froh, Grant Sanden, and Melissa Power.
“Where Innovation Meets Impact” is the theme of the moment.

How do you prepare for a future that’s anything but predictable?
What actually set you up for success early on?
How much do networks matter?
Failure and pivots: What do you do when things don’t go to plan?

This is where curiosity meets expertise —where youth innovators get an unfiltered look at the paths behind the ideas.

Right now, inside the Tech Futures Challenge 2026 Innovation Showcase…

Among our distinguished guests today is Guy Levesque, Executive Director of the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking. He’s here today to introduce our Inspiring Speakers, and then to moderate a panel among them.

The audience listens as Dr. John Froh, STARS Ambulance, Grant Sanden, GeologicAI , and Melissa Power, Canadian Natural Resources Limited, share what innovation looks like in the real world.

From AI enhancing critical care and emergency response, to deep tech transforming resource discovery, to new approaches shaping the future of energy —these are the kinds of ideas moving industries forward right now.

And just as important: the people behind the ideas. These are leaders who’ve built, tested, failed, adapted —and kept going.

Sessions like these are meant to give young innovators a clearer sense of what’s possible, and how to get there.

Looking to show your support for MindFuel in style?

Whether you're a longtime champion of youth innovation or just looking for a great new hoodie, tee, or polo shirt, our MindFuel Merch Store has something for you.

Every item helps celebrate the curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving spirit that drives the next generation of innovators.

From the classroom to the boardroom —and everywhere in between— it's an easy way to carry the MindFuel mission with you wherever you go.

Take a look, find a favourite, and help spread the word about the power of STEM learning and innovation.

Browse the collection here: https://urstore.ca/group/mindfuel

Get yours while supplies last!

Around the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary, different rooms have come to life.
TFC teams are presenting their prototypes to judges who are asking questions and getting a real sense of what these teams have created.
From clean tech and energy solutions to biotech, agri-tech, and AI-driven tools, the range is wide —and the thinking is bold.
Our judges —bringing experience from across industry, research, and entrepreneurship-- are listening closely, challenging assumptions, and helping push ideas a little further.
There’s a lot on the line, too.
Best Prototype — $5,000
Runner-Up — $2,500
Most Iterative Project — $1,000
Most Tangible Next Steps — $1,000
People’s Project Choice — $500
The TFC 2026 Innovation Showcase is thought provoking and it’s hands-on. And it’s where innovation takes shape.

Earlier… At the mic at the Tech Futures Challenge 2026 Innovation Showcase…

Corey Hogan, Member of Parliament for Calgary Confederation, is bringing greetings from the Government of Canada, speaking to something we’re seeing firsthand today: When young people are given the tools to build, create, and experiment, the impact doesn’t stay in the classroom —it carries into our economy.

With experience spanning public service, academia, and government, Corey brings a clear view of how innovation —and the people driving it— shape Canada’s competitiveness and long-term prosperity.

Live from the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary…

Jeromy Farkas, Mayor of the City of Calgary – Your Local Government, is bringing greetings from the city —speaking to the importance of innovation and the incredible potential of youth to shape Calgary’s future.

From his earliest roots here in Calgary to his leadership today, Mayor Farkas continues to champion a city where ideas, energy, and opportunity come together to build something bigger.

He’ll introduce Corey Hogan, Member of Parliament for Calgary Confederation —keeping the momentum going as we connect local innovation with national impact.