Platform Calgary is strengthening and growing the city’s innovation sector, and focused on making Calgary THE place entrepreneurs want to launch and grow their startups. This starts with supporting and encouraging young aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue a career in tech and innovation and to build homegrown talent here in Calgary.

In spring 2022, Platform Calgary opened the doors to Calgary’s first purpose-built home for innovators – the Platform Innovation Centre. The tech and innovation community has been instrumental in envisioning and establishing the Platform Innovation Centre; at the heart of it, is the 10X Circle – a group of passionate Calgarians and community leaders who see a future for Calgary rooted in the growth of a vibrant tech sector.

As a gratitude for their support and contributions, Platform Calgary is paying it forward with the 10X Future Founders Scholarship to inspire the next generation of innovators in our city.

The 10X Future Founders Scholarship

Platform Calgary is awarding 10 scholarships to grade 12 students across Calgary who are passionate about pursuing tech, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Successful students will each receive a $1,000 cash scholarship, and be invited to engage with Calgary’s tech community through various events and opportunities throughout their grade 12 year, which includes meeting with local tech leaders, tickets to events like Launch Party and Platform’s Annual Founders & Funders dinner, and a tour of the Platform Innovation Centre.

To be nominated for the 10X Future Founders Scholarship, the student must meet one of the following criteria at the time of nomination:

• Enrolled in Grade 12 at a high school in Calgary or surrounding areas during the 2023/2024 school year.
• Shows interest and initiative in tech, innovation and/or entrepreneurship as demonstrated by one of the following:
  • Active involvement in school or community programs/activities that help them build their skills and drive their passion for tech, innovation and entrepreneurship.
  • Participation or enrolled in a tech education program (e.g. web development, coding education, robotics club, accelerator program, apprenticeship, etc.)
  • Has started or has plans to start a company

Nominations must be completed and submitted by a student's mentor, principal and/or teacher, and students must submit a written response to be considered. Applications will be reviewed by a committee of entrepreneurs and leaders in the tech community. Nominations must be submitted by Friday, July 7, 2023.

If you’re a student and want to be nominated, please share this opportunity with a teacher or mentor to nominate you and submit your written response to [email protected].

Selection Criteria

The Scholarship Selection Committee – comprised of influential teach leaders in Calgary – will use a set of selection criteria to identify ten deserving students who display values in line with the Rainforest Social Contract and who will be positively impacted by receiving the scholarship. You can find more details, including the selection criteria here.

For more information on the 10X Future Founders Scholarship and how to apply, please visit here.