Alberta Innovates is investing $348,750 in a new initiative aimed at establishing Alberta as a leader in wearable health technology. The funding will support a one-year program led by the Canadian Sport Institute Alberta (CSIAB) through its Sport Product Testing (SPT) platform, creating a centralized hub to help local startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) validate, analyze, and commercialize wearable devices.
The initiative, designed with a phased approach, will offer scientific validation, advanced machine learning analytics, and commercialization support. Additional wraparound services will include mentorship, training, and access to academic expertise from the University of Calgary and University of Alberta. This project builds on Alberta’s strengths in digital health and sport science, positioning the province as a hub for industry, research, and high-performance sport collaboration.
“The technology coming out of Alberta is impressive—but innovators often hit a wall when it comes to testing and market readiness,” said Raja Mita, Vice President of Health Innovation at Alberta Innovates. “This project fills that gap by connecting Alberta companies with the expertise they need to move their products from prototype to practical use.”
While the SPT program has traditionally supported Olympic and Paralympic athletes, it is now expanding its scope to include everyday health applications. “Wearables aren’t just about elite sport anymore—they’re a gateway to better health for everyone,” said Pro Stergiou, Business Development Manager at CSIAB. “This investment allows us to help Alberta companies create tools that are reliable, evidence-based, and ready to make a difference in people’s lives.”
