Get inspired by innovators & founders on PEI!
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For the next few weeks, we’ll be featuring the stories of founders on our social media!
From inspiring stories to insightful advice, tune in every Friday to our LinkedIn page, and learn about the founders in the PEI IT Alliance who are making an impact through their work in the local ecosystem!
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For our first Founder Spotlight, we’ve featured Cody Kupferschmidt from
Erode AI. Click here to see his story on LinkedIn!
Stay Tuned! We’ll be sharing more stories on LinkedIn and Instagram.
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Are you operating a start-up based in PEI?
Apply for The Foundry’s Residency Program!
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If you’re part of a PEI-based, export-focused startup, The Foundry’s Residency Program is made for you! Join a 90-day program that offers tailored support, expert coaching, and a collaborative workspace to help take your startup to the next level!
👉 Click here to learn more and apply now
Questions? Reach out to hello@peiitalliance.com
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📢 Opportunities you won't want to miss!
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Looking to grow your career in the local tech space? Here are some exciting opportunities that you can explore!
💡Please note: Application dates and criteria for each job posting will differ. Kindly refer to the respective websites for more details!
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Apply For Stay Golden’s Next Generation's Entrepreneur Bursary!
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Application deadline is May 1, 2026 | Click here to learn more and apply
If you’re a young business owner or entrepreneur graduating from Colonel Gray High School, apply for the Stay Golden Entrepreneur Bursary, a $1000 award created by alumni-led companies Stay Golden Custom and MVRK Inc.
Stay Golden’s Next Generation's Entrepreneur Bursary was created to support graduating students who are motivated to plant and grow their business in their community, for the doers, the go-getters, and the builders.
This bursary is open to students in the Junior Achievement company program and those who are building something unique on their own.
The recipients will receive the $1,000 prize and a three-month summer membership at The Foundry, with access to office space for the summer, mentorship opportunities, and the opportunity to be coached and mentored by experts in the entrepreneurial space.
Eligibility Criteria:
Colonel Gray students graduating in 2026 who have demonstrated entrepreneurial ambition through their actions.
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For Employers 💼
🧑🎓 Looking to Hire Students?
Hire a Co-op student for Summer 2026 and expand your team!
The following is a message from UPEI’s Co-operative Education Department. Kindly contact kturner@upei.ca for any questions and additional information regarding hiring co-op students.
UPEI Co-operative Education students are now seeking work term opportunities for the upcoming summer term (May to September). Students are eager to gain real-world experience and benefit from mentorship within your organization.
They bring enthusiasm, fresh perspectives, and a wide range of skills and interests in areas including (but not limited to):
Computer Science
Software development, QA testing, data analysis, cybersecurity, AI, machine learning, research, game development, software engineering, programming and more
Business
Accounting, finance, banking, marketing, human resources, supply chain, procurement, digital marketing, social media, event planning, administrative support, and more
Analytics and Financial Math
Data analytics, decision-making/support, research
Economics
Policy analysis, research, writing, data analysis
Biology & Chemistry
Laboratory and equipment skills, research
Environmental Biology & Environmental Studies
Environmental science, natural resources, wildlife conservation, research, community planning, program administration, events and engagement activities
Physics
Scientific research, data analysis, computational and experimental procedures, and practical physics applications
To post a job opportunity, you can:
Feel free to reach out or book a meeting if you'd like to discuss potential opportunities, ask questions, or learn about resources available to support student hiring and engagement.
For inspiration, here are some recent co-op student spotlights. ✨
Fleur - Marketing Assistant
Caleb - IT Analyst
Hazel - Project Assistant
Ditthi - Student Developer
Feyisayo - Member Service Representative
Diya - UPEI spotlight story about Diya, a recent Business and Co-op graduate
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Training Opportunities!
FITTskills International Trade Training in International Trade Finance
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Happening on May 6th and 7th, 2026 | Click here to learn more and apply
Looking to level up your skills to take businesses from local to global? Apply for the FITTskills International Trade Training!
Holland College is partnering with the Forum for International Trade Training (FITTskills) to deliver courses through training workshops that will elevate your professional profile.
Participants will work to earn the designation of Certified International Trade Professional (CITP), a title highly recognized by the industry.
Sign up today, and get equipped to engage with a global market!
Courses will be delivered by Dr. Leroy Lowe, a Senior Consultant with FITT and a seasoned expert in international trade education and strategy.
The FITTskills Program is open to professionals looking to expand their business or explorers eager to navigate the international market.
Learn more about FITTskills
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🤖 Support The Atlantic AI Summit 2026 🌊
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The 2026 Atlantic AI Summit will take place June 3–5, 2026 at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton. Hosted by AI Atlantic and UNB, the Summit brings together leaders from academia, industry, government, and the innovation ecosystem to explore the future of artificial intelligence in Atlantic Canada.
Last year’s event at Saint Mary’s University welcomed more than 450 participants, highlighting applied AI use cases across sectors such as healthcare, oceans, agriculture, and cybersecurity. The Summit also featured strong youth engagement through student showcases and pitch competitions.
The 2026 Summit will continue to focus on responsible AI deployment, sector-specific applications, and talent development, while creating opportunities for collaboration across the region.
Organizations interested in supporting the event can explore sponsorship opportunities, which include brand promotion, speaking and workshop opportunities (depending on tier), and complimentary delegate passes.
For more information or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, please contact:
Aaloak Jaswal Innovation Director Research Institute for Data Science & Artificial Intelligence University of New Brunswick aaloak.jaswal@unb.ca
For more information about the Summit, click here: AI Summit Sponsorship Package.pdf
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🎪 Check Out Some Upcoming Events
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Join the Audience at The Harry W. MacLauchlan
Entrepreneurship Program Panther Pitch!
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Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | 1:00 PM to 8:30 PM | McMillan Hall, W. A. Murphy Student Centre, UPEI, 550 University Ave, Charlottetown
On April 15, 2026, 16 teams will take the stage to present their ventures in the Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program Panther Pitch Final Event. Selected from a competitive pool of more than 50 teams, these finalists represent the very best of student innovation, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit.
This year marks an exciting evolution for the program, as the Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship introduced the new Aspire stream designed specifically to support and empower first- and second-year students.
The event will take place in McMillan Hall and will feature two rounds of pitches in McMillan Hall, W. A. Murphy Student Centre, 550 University Ave., Charlottetown.
Aspire stream finalists will present from 1:00 PM to 2:45 PM, followed by the Accelerate stream finalists from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM. The day will conclude with a reception and awards ceremony from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, celebrating the achievements of all participants.
Everyone from the public is welcome to attend and watch this incredible showcase of UPEI student innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial prowess!
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🪙 Ignition Fund Info Session for Spring 2026
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Wednesday, April 8, 2026 | 12:00 PM | Robertson Library, UPEI, 550 University Ave, Charlottetown | Click here to RSVP
Have you ever wondered how the Ignition Fund can apply to your startup? Then join the latest Ignition Fund Info Session, happening at UPEI!
This competitive fund aims to provide seed capital for business ventures and startups on PEI, offering startups and entrepreneurs the chance to think big about their business ventures.
Sign up and attend the Ignition Fund Information Session to get first-hand knowledge and advice about the application process, eligibility and more.
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Join The Night Shift for April!
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Every Tuesday and Thursday | 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM | The Foundry, Charlottetown, PE | Click here to learn more and register for the next session
The Night Shift is your mid-week moment to become a night owl!
In each session, you'll join members of PEI's tech community with the intention of being productive.
Set a goal, build and work alongside fellow builders in deep focus mode & make progress on your projects, passions and more! 🎧🧑💻
Upcoming dates:
Tuesdays ✅April 14 ✅April 21 ✅April 28
Thursdays ✅April 9 ✅April 16 ✅April 23 ✅April 30
Free entry to all via RSVP! Refreshments are always served so that you can power through the working sessions! 🍕🥤
Questions? Contact us at thenightshift@peiitalliance.com
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Your announcement, event, or news can be featured in the
PEI IT Alliance Newsletter!
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Do you have a cool event or announcement to share with the community?
The PEI IT Alliance now has a submission form, where you can share announcements from your company, startup, or organization!
If you're interested in sharing any exciting updates with the readers of the PEI ITA Newsletter, fill out this form to submit your event/announcement.
This form will close on 11:59 pm on the last Friday of every month. To be featured, please ensure to fill out the details before the deadline.
This will take only a few minutes and will help get your events, your announcements, and your company noticed by our newsletter readers.
If you encounter any issues while submitting your form, please reach out to our Marketing Assistant, Fleur Rodrigues at fleur@peiitalliance.com
Please note that all submissions will be reviewed before the release of a newsletter!
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That’s a Wrap!
Thank you for catching up on this month's news. Stay inspired, stay connected.
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