Issue Overview

The rural mindset is often an innovative one.   As we learned in our 2023-2024 Thought Exchange series rural innovation was highlighted as a major theme across many of our discussions.   Finding solutions to problems that are unique to the rural context has its challenges but can be a key strength of rural communities and becomes a crucial skill set to overcome challenges and take hold of new opportunities.   In our upcoming Thought Exchange,  we hope to learn from innovators in the field and answer some of the following questions:

  1. What examples do you have of innovation in rural?  Is it the same or different than in an urban centre?
  2. What are the barriers to innovation in rural Canada?
  3. Do we need to redefine innovation in a way that works for rural Canada?
  4. How can rural innovation be leveraged?
  5. How do social connections influence how innovation is developed in rural communities?

​Resources 

Innovation processes in rural areas.

Towards a better conceptual framework for innovation processes in agriculture and rural development: from linear models to systemic approaches.

Shedding light on rural innovation: Introducing and applying a comprehensive indicator system.

A predictive model of innovation in rural entrepreneurship.

Let's Explore the Idea of Innovation

Our discussion leaders give a sneak peak into some of their big ideas on innovation, what it means and how to put it into action.

Our Discussion Leaders

Yuliia Marcinkowski

Yuliia Marcinkoski is a Strategic Growth Executive with over a decade of experience in international business and economic development. She has successfully led initiatives across sectors such as manufacturing, energy, life sciences, defence, aerospace, and agriculture, fostering foreign direct investment for Alberta and market entry strategies. 
 
As a Business Development professional at Invest Alberta, Yuliia was instrumental in attracting high-value, high-impact investments to Alberta. Her role focused on identifying and qualifying potential investors and opportunities aligned with regional growth strategies. As a connector and integrator, Yuliia worked closely with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies and private companies, ensuring seamless collaboration between investors and local communities. Her work in this role contributed to generating new jobs, driving business innovation, and promoting sustainability across sectors.
 
At BioComposites Group, Yuliia drives the company's growth strategy – divisional alignment, sustainability, and values-aligned partnerships. Yuliia collaborates with the research, operations, and sales teams. BCG is positioned to be the market leader in producing automotive components and construction materials. ​
Yuliia advises a spacetech fund TYPE5VC and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise on Canadian expansion, product development, partnerships and ESG strategies. With a vast network across North America and Europe, Yuliia excels in relationship development, investment strategies, and sustainable business growth.  Born and raised in Ukraine, Yuliia continues her passion for sustainable development, youth mentorship and civic engagement. She mentors tech-enabled innovative startups and is a board member of multiple non-profits.  ​

Jesse Cole

Jesse Cole was born on a farm near Clive, Alberta in 1983. Washing a manure spreader out one day in the winter of 2003, a piece of manure made its way into his mouth and changed his path. He filled out application forms for the U of A that night and ended up with a BSc. In Agricultural Business and an MSc. in Agricultural Economics. That led to a stint in the private sector in herbicide research and eventually to the public sector as the Production Crops Economist at Alberta Agriculture.

​He started with AFSC (Agriculture Financial Services Corporation) designing crop insurance products in 2011 and has not looked back. He now leads a team of some of the brightest individuals in the industry who look at where AFSC insurance products and delivery should be in the next ten years as the Manager of Insurance Products and Product Innovation. The current role allows him to exercise creativity, a passion for changing organizational structures and to contribute to the sustainability of the age old industry of Agriculture.

Linking Entrepreneurship and Innovation

This model from Elena et al, (2015) highlights the link between rural entrepreneurship and rural innovation.  The factors that affect each part of the innovation process are factors that individuals, organizations and policy makers can impact in rural communities.

What do you think?

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