Be
curious
innovative.
bold
creative
At Mount Royal, innovation is about being bold, curious and creative. Here, we nurture future-focused mindsets, celebrate creative change and transform “what ifs” into impactful realities.
The next great idea could be yours.
For more than a century, Mount Royal University students have been shaping the society we live in. From a fintech app focused on empowered investing to inclusive storytelling that builds community, Mount Royal University graduates across all disciplines are learning to develop innovative mindsets to propel them into their future careers.
Read our innovators’ stories and discover the human impact of innovation at MRU.
Taran Singh Kainth
With boots on the ground within Calgary’s tech transformation, alumnus Taran Singh Kainth and Flahmingo are becoming a major player in the fintech world.
Innovative spaces
The tools and the foundation for innovative minds to grow
- CN Supply Chain Analytics Lab
Technology allows students access to the inner-workings of companies in real time - Centre for Psychological Innovation
The “Psych Lab” collides psychology and technology to discover the human condition - Trico Changemakers Studio
A social innovation, collaboration and learning space converging campus and community - Community Podcast Initiative
This podcasting studio uses advanced audio storytelling techniques to amplify underrepresented voices - Child Development Lab
A vibrant space for conversation, observation, practice, reflection, growth and development
- Institute for Community Prosperity
Cultivating new ideas and approaches to foster generations of social impact leaders allowing human potential to flourish - Institute for Environmental Sustainability
Acting as a facilitator and catalyst promoting collaborative multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary work in environmental sustainability - Miistakis Research Institute
Specializing in evaluating complex environmental problems, providing functional resources and supporting community-based science - Centre for Community Disaster Research
A trans-disciplinary centre for research and outreach to plan and prepare for natural, social, technological and economic disasters
Dale Swampy
Bachelor of Computer Information Systems student Dale Swampy’s star blanket company, Osaw Kihew, honours the past while helping facilitate healing.
Innovative programs
Innovation drives learning everywhere at MRU
- Growth Catalyst
A program designed to help Alberta businesses scale up, including a speaker series that focuses on how to build resiliency and catalyze growth - Bounceback YYC
A hackathon on accelerating the restart, recovery and return of the experience economy - The Innovation Sprint
MRU students work with an industry mentor to practice tackling complex problems and bringing new ideas to life - CityXLab
Combines applied research and community learning in an effort to understand Calgary as a place and as an experience. Includes programs ActiveCITY, CreativeCITY and LearningCITY.
- LaunchPad Lab
An 8-week entrepreneurial incubator meant for students who want to create a business, but aren't quite sure where to start. - JMH LaunchPad
Mount Royal’s ultimate Dragons’ Den-style pitch competition launches ideas into real businesses - Map the System
Analyzing social, economic or environmental problems to understand the many contributing factors - Catamount Fellowship
A cohort-based learning experience committed to building a more just and sustainable future
- connectFirst Social Entrepreneurs
A work-integrated learning experience that applies changemaking to tackle 21st century challenges - Alberta Inclusive Innovation Initiative
This series of no-cost workshops provides nuts and bolts training for new entrepreneurs - Changemaking — Ashoka U
As an Ashoka U Changemaker Campus MRU inspires and empowers meaningful change
CFI Grants
Three major awards followed by matching grants have increased momentum in the study of foot and ankle joint control, the causes of wildfires and how podcasting can elevate marginalized voices.
Innovative learning
Practical education led by professors who have been there
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship minor or concentration
Offering courses that jump start students’ creativity towards developing entrepreneurial skills and an innovative mindset - Social Innovation concentration or minor
Providing students with a clear practice to lead, design and execute high-impact transformative change in our communities - International education
Fostering learning without borders to develop culturally knowledgeable and internationally sensitive global citizens - Vivacity
A civic innovation course exploring problems facing Calgary and creating experiments/prototypes as potential solutions
- Research opportunities
Student research is foundational, with numerous research assistant roles available and showcase opportunities during Research and Scholarship Days - Capstone projects
Experiential learning applying the culmination of students’ education into a resumé-worthy final project for a strong transition into their profession - Humanly
Information design students use systems thinking, changemaking and human-centred design principles to address real-world problems
Innovative business growth programs to create impact
More than $3.3 million in funding will trigger the formation of hundreds of new jobs and deliver millions in economic impact to Alberta over the next few years.