Students from across Canada came together this month for the launch of MindFuel’s Tech Futures Challenge 2026.
The MindFuel Foundation, formerly the Science Alberta Foundation, is a registered charitable organization dedicated to fostering youth innovation talent.
MindFuel aims to create “engaging, high-quality programs that inspire a passion for science and technology-driven futures among youth.”
Since 1990, MindFuel has invested over $130 million into this mission.
An illustrative example is the Tech Futures Challenge, an annual affair that began in 2023 to draw young talent toward emerging technologies through hands-approaches.
“Our end-to-end innovation system delivers measurable economic and social outcomes,” says Dan Semmens, board chair of MindFuel. “It’s programs like this that will bring meaningful innovation growth and economic diversification to our nation.”
The 2026 edition of the national program begins with a cohort of 31 projects spanning seven provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick.
“MindFuel is delighted to welcome youth from across Canada to our TFC 2026,” stated Cassy Weber, chief executive officer of MindFuel. “Seeing all those faces from across the country is truly inspiring.”
The 2026 cohort includes several local teams—from multiple Alberta high schools as well as from the University of Lethbridge, University of Calgary, and Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.
Supported by MindFuel’s Connect2Innovate platform, teams gain access to programming, funding, and mentors.
Throughout the program, students work with technologies such as 3D design and printing, app and web development, coding, artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, synthetic biology, bioengineering, and biotechnology to develop prototype solutions which are evaluated by expert judges.
“Our research continues to show the powerful role programs like Tech Futures Challenge play in not only shaping young people’s futures, but also, critically, in contributing to building Canada’s innovation capacity,” Weber commented.
Since launching, the TFC has empowered more than 5,000 youth to solve real-world problems, and has even inspired patents and venture capital funding.
In 10-year study, Weber notes “87% of youth reported an increased interest in innovation and entrepreneurship as a result of their participation, and 95% said our programming positively influenced their post-secondary and career choices in STEM-related fields.”
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