New Partner Alert: Intrinsic Innovations

BLG Business Venture Clinic Welcomes New Partnership with Calgary Start-Up Intrinsic Innovations

Starting a business is challenging enough on its own merits. Finding proficient, efficient, and affordable legal assistance is one challenge that the BLG Business Venture Clinic has a solution to. The Clinic is always looking for ways to help support entrepreneurs, start-ups, and growth-businesses with their legal needs. We are excited to announce that we have recently welcomed a new partnership with Intrinsic Innovations – Alberta’s International Start-Up Incubator.
 
Who is Intrinsic Innovations?
Intrinsic Innovations is a not-for-profit international business incubator located in Calgary, Alberta. Intrinsic was Co-Founded in 2021, by Andrew Sanden and Alec Wang, both of whom are extremely accomplished and intelligent businessmen and leaders.[1] Intrinsic Innovations also offers a small venture capital fund titled “Intrinsic VC” which serves to financially aid their incubating businesses as they plant roots in Alberta.
 
Andrew Sanden, the CEO of Intrinsic, offers a wide range of expertise in the start-up space, as well as in the energy and defense communications sectors. Most notably, however, Andrew is passionate about economic immigration, and actively seeks to bring innovative ideas to Alberta.
 
Alec Wang, the former CEO and co-founder of Click Dishes and founder of Nomi, is an integral element of Intrinsic Innovation. His business experience, international presence, and desire to give back to the community is a major factor in the success Intrinsic Innovations has experienced thus far.
 
What does Intrinsic Innovations do?
Intrinsic Innovations offers the opportunity to help Canadian companies get their products into international markets and offers to help foreign companies expand or relocate to Canada.[2] The partnership with the BLG Business Venture Clinic will be uniquely focused on individuals with who wish to move to Canada and start an innovative business here.
 
Intrinsic Innovations seized an opportunity in the market to capitalize on the growing appetite for entrepreneurial talent in Alberta. Being a start-up themselves, Intrinsic had to provide a unique edge to their business model. Focusing on entrepreneurs abroad, with brilliant ideas, and a desire to immigrate is the edge Intrinsic offers. They have a keen focus on technology innovation, and one of their goals is to have Alberta recognized as leader in technology commercialization on the world-stage.[3]
 
Intrinsic has built a strong global network that gives founders access to experts, business connections and global services. Intrinsic Innovation’s programs take on a holistic approach that ensures founders are positioned to achieve success for their business and for their family’s settlement in Calgary. They provide a longer-term relationship-focused program that supports their clients for a period of 18-months to two years. The program is very personalized and prepares founders on business practices and culture, while also helping their families feel supported as they become comfortable in their new environment.
 
Intrinsic VC has worked with 12 companies to date (companies from Canada, China, Bangladesh, Iran, Eastern Europe and South America). Industries include robotics, AgTech, HealthTech, EduTech and FinTech.
 
Furthermore, Intrinsic has developed an online training program to help guide international start-up entrepreneurs in the innovation technology space as they start their businesses here. The training program provides an overview about important business practices and business culture in Canada.
 
Upon successful completion, founders will be equipped with the knowledge they need to establish a company in Canada, effectively navigate the Canadian business environment and successfully grow their business based on intrinsic knowledge on the specifics of business practices and business culture in Canada.

Why is the Partnership with the BVC Important?
The Business Venture Clinic is student-run free legal clinic whose success depends on the community. The relationships the Clinic fosters and maintains with its partners and clients provide workflow and allow the students the opportunity for hands-on experience. It is precisely these types of relationships that has helped the BLG Venture Clinic successfully operate for over a decade. The opportunity to work with Intrinsic Innovations opens a new door for not only this year’s students, but it also opens doors for new members of Calgary’s community. Practical experience as a law-student is invaluable, and what better way to gain it than by providing access to legal information for entrepreneurs!
 
Authored by Claire Standring 
UCalgary Law | JD Candidate 2024

[1] “Intrinsic Innovations”, online: <www.intrinsicinnovations.ca> [Intrinsic Website].
[2] See ibid.
[3] See ibid.