BlockchainSA, a jointly held corporation between Economic Development Lethbridge and InBridge, was established in 2019 and is operating as Emerging Technology Solutions for Business (ETSB). It is located at Tecconnect, 3582 – 30 Street North. This location provides access to training workshop space and is co-located with InBridge corporate headquarters.
The main goal of ESTB is to provide companies, that are looking for a sustainable and profitable future through emerging technologies, a trusted information and resource portal that will assist in the development of a working knowledge that facilitate informed choices of implementable emerging technologies. ESTB strives to encourage companies to develop an environment that advances innovation through emerging technologies to enhance productivity, profits and global competitiveness.
Emerging technologies include Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Internet-of-Things (IoT). Blockchain forms the foundation from which applications of AI, ML and IoT converge. In the next decade, a blockchain ecosystem with smart asset management, financial systems and supply chain solutions will emerge. It is predicted that technological transformation will come not only from individual emerging technologies, but rather their interplay.
To Learn More contact Renae Barlow, VP Entrepreneurship & Innovation
renae@chooselethbridge.ca
403-332-6021
Emerging Tech Solutions for Business Team
CEO, Economic Development Lethbridge
Trevor Lewington
Together with a 31-member volunteer Board of Directors, Trevor is proud to work with a talented team that develops and delivers on initiatives to promote Lethbridge as an excellent place to live, work, visit, invest and do business. With 15+ years of executive leadership experience in the food processing industry, in addition to many years living the trials and tribulations of a small business owner combined with additional roles in the public sector, Trevor strives to provide a broad-based perspective and collaborative approach which will enhance initiatives that drive continued economic growth in southern Alberta. Trevor holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Human Resource Management, completed a Change Leadership Certificate with Cornell University and is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR). He also holds a Senior Certified Professional credential from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP). Trevor is also a Certified Logistics Professional (CCLP) through the Canadian Institute of Traffic and Transportation. Trevor is engaged and involved in his community and serves as the Mayor in the Village of Stirling where he resides. Trevor is on the Advisory Board of the Dhillon School of Business at the University of Lethbridge. Trevor is also an active member of the Board of Directors for the Plant Protein Alliance of Alberta, Economic Developers Alberta, and Economic Developers Association of Canada.
VP Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Economic Development Lethbridge
Renae Barlow
As a current senior staff member of EDL in the role of VP of Entrepreneurship & Innovation and past member of the EDL Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, Renae brings over 30 years of senior management expertise in small business and non-profit management to her role. She has experience launching national new initiatives, project management, strategic planning, organizational development, and motivational team management. Renae is a proven leader in creating business and community partnerships, business development, program development and project management. Renae also has entrepreneurial experience having launched three companies providing a variety of consulting services including business coaching, organizational development and diversity training. Renae was recently awarded 2018 YWCA Woman of Distinction for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Renae is also a founding member of the Regional Innovation Network of Southern Alberta (RINSA) connecting her to other service providers who support entrepreneurial expansion and commercialization. She works with these regional partners and others to further develop Lethbridge as an anchor location for innovation and technology. As part of RINSA, Renae also oversees Tecconnect+ED and Women-in-STEM programs that provides innovative technology entrepreneurs with training, workshops and business advise from ideation to commercialization. Through the incubator, Renae works with high-growth early stage companies to help them connect to funding, business coaching services and government programs, to successfully launch and rapidly commercialize their products and services. Her goal is to support entrepreneurs to achieve successful commercialization in domestic and international markets in the shortest time possible with the maximum impact.
Holds a PhD degree in mathematics and statistics from the University of Calgary and was formerly a Vanier, Killam and Alberta Innovates scholar and an assistant professor at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of Lethbridge. Muhammad has more than 25 research publications in discrete optimization, network analysis and graph theory, blockchain technology, software engineering and machine learning.
As a Certified Blockchain Expert and researcher, Jefferson is lauded as 'one of the biggest names in blockchain and AI' by international educational non-profit, Cryptochicks, and presented and their conference in Toronto with Ben Goertzel (Singularity Net) and Vitalik Buterin (Ethereum). He has worked in ten industries and seven countries, consulting with foreign governments and large corporations in the areas of operations, strategy, marketing, automation, concept development and technology. Jeffersons focus has now turned to how advanced converging technologies will shape our future.