Opening ceremony of TusStar (Edmonton) incubator

TusStar, an incubator brand of TusHoldings which is affiliated to Tsinghua Holdings, opened a new incubator in Edmonton, Alberta Canada on June 11, 2018, Canadian local time.

As TusStar's first incubator in Canada, it will focus on Chinese and Canadian innovation projects as well as early-stage investment in Canadian start-up projects.

The AI-focused incubator will work closely with Canadian partners on the local competitive innovative industries of AI, life and health and ice technology to facilitate growth of both Chinese and Canadian startups and their expansion on the international market.  

An opening ceremony of TEC Edmonton-TusStar Accelerator Exchange was held the same day. The TEC Edmonton - TusStar Accelerator Exchange, a six-month program with residency in both countries, will educate and guide technology-based companies from Canada and China in best practices for doing business in each country. 

Thomas Dang, member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta province

During the event, Thomas Dang, member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, congratulated the establishment of TusStar (Edmonton) incubator and affirmed the positive role of innovation on Alberta's economic growth.

Don Iveson, mayor of Edmonton

The mayor of Edmonton Don Iveson said the TusStar Shanghai AI accelerator impressed him a lot during his visit to Shanghai in May this year. The TusStar's Alberta branch in Edmonton will bring new ideas to the city's innovation development.

Matthias Ruth, vice-president (research) of the University of Alberta

Dr. Matthias Ruth, vice-president (research) of the University of Alberta, shared with attendees the history of cooperation between the University of Alberta and Tsinghua University, and expressed his interest in the results of technical exchange. 

Han Wei, vice-general manager of TusStar

Han Wei, vice general manager of TusStar, said that the incubator will play a key role in TusStar's global network, especially in North America, as it is expected to connect the technologies, start-ups and entrepreneurs between Canada and China. "The TEC Edmonton - TusStar Accelerator Exchange will help more start-ups go global," added Han.

TEC－Edmonton CEO Chris Lumb

TEC－Edmonton CEO Chris Lumb noted that Alberta has to go global for business expansion and the incubator will enable Canadian companies to better know and enter the Chinese market.

The ceremonies were followed by a panel on AI ecology which brought together a number of AI-related government officials, investors and start-up representatives to share their insights on international technology cooperation, project settlement and promotion of the AI industry. 

Panel on artificial intelligence ecology

Group photo

Global News, an influential Canadian publication, reports on the opening of TusStar (Edmonton) incubator.