In Saskatchewan, innovation is everywhere. From groundbreaking research to emerging technology solutions, Saskatchewan is where transformational ideas come to life. And now, for the first time, you’re invited inside.

As part of Innovation Week in Saskatchewan, an annual celebration of the people and ideas shaping the province’s future, organizations across the province are opening their doors to spaces rarely seen by the public. Running May 26 to May 30, the inaugural Inside Innovation tours will feature more than 15 organizations across a dozen sectors and provide an exclusive opportunity to explore some of the most dynamic spaces in the province.

To give you a glimpse of what’s to come, we’re highlighting three companies that are hosting Inside Innovation tours: Canadian Light Source, Southeast TechHub and STARS Air Ambulance. Keep reading to learn more about how they’re driving innovation in Saskatchewan and what you can expect on their tours.

Canadian Light Source | Saskatoon

Hosted at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), the Canadian Light Source (CLS) is a leader in scientific discovery. Whether advancing cancer research, developing climate-resistant crops or elevating environmental sustainability, CLS empowers researchers to push the boundaries of scientific discovery.

“The innovation landscape in Saskatchewan is incredibly diverse, with leading experts in health, agriculture, environment and advanced materials,” said Ingrid Pickering, Chief Science Officer at CLS. “Being embedded within the research-rich environment of USask and the Innovation Place research and technology parks gives our researchers a unique opportunity to work across sectors, ensuring research has both local relevance and global impact.”

Tour Highlight:

Get a closer look at Canada's only synchrotron! This unique facility speeds up electrons to produce intensely bright light, enabling scientists to study materials at a molecular level. As one of the largest investments in Canadian science, the CLS attracts over 1,000 researchers from around the world annually, helping push the limits of research and innovation.

Don’t miss your chance to see the future of scientific discovery! Sign up for the CLS Inside Innovation tours to see how they have and continue to accelerate research.

Southeast TechHub | Estevan

From cities to rural communities, innovation exists across the province. And in Estevan, Southeast TechHub (SETH) has created a space where innovators and industry leaders can come together to connect, collaborate and turn ideas into action.

Since opening its doors in 2022, SETH has become a hub for innovation, hosting events like Southeast Saskatchewan’s first Innovation Pitch Competition, along with specialized conferences and presentations focused on sustainable energy, innovative technology and entrepreneurship. SETH also partners with local schools to provide students with hands-on opportunities to explore and develop their skills through computer science, drone racing and robot building clubs.

“Innovation has always lived in rural Saskatchewan,” said SETH’s Executive Director, Gord More. “At SETH, we’re showing the world that rural communities not only know how to build, fix and reinvent – but that we can also lead in energy, innovation and entrepreneurship.”

Tour Highlight:  

Stop by SETH’s open house anytime on Friday, May 30 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to meet Poppy, the humanoid robot! Currently being built by young innovators, Poppy provides rural youth with hands-on experience in tech, thanks to SETH’s community driven robotics and AI initiatives. Once completed, she’ll serve as a teaching tool for classrooms and coding workshops.

Step into a hub of innovation! Sign up for the Southeast TechHub Inside Innovation tour and get a firsthand look at the dynamic energy driving new ideas in rural Saskatchewan.

STARS Air Ambulance | Regina & Saskatoon 

When a red STARS Air Ambulance helicopter is in the air, you’re seeing more than just a mode of transportation – it’s a flying intensive care unit, equipped with life-saving tools like CPR machines, heart monitors and mobile ultrasound devices. But delivering emergency care in the air requires more than just equipment; it demands constant medical and technological innovation.

“STARS has a strong history of innovation across all our teams. It’s embedded in our approach to solving problems and pushes us to build systems that can deliver the best care to patients and perform reliably under the intense pressure of a mission,” says Mark Boots, Chief Information Officer at STARS.

This innovative mindset has led STARS to create programs and technologies that have set new standards in emergency care. For example, their Blood on Board program ensures blood units are available on every flight – a practice that started in Regina and is now a nationwide standard. STARS has also developed its own electronic patient charting that tracks vital signs and medical interventions in real time. This data not only aids in immediate medical decisions but also contributes to ongoing quality assurance and care improvements.

Tour Highlight:

How do you prepare for a rescue mission when every second counts? At the Regina and Saskatoon bases, you’ll see their high-fidelity patient simulators. These lifelike mannequins mimic real-life medical emergencies, from cardiac arrest to trauma, giving medical staff the chance to sharpen their decision-making and practice their life-saving skills in real-time.

Discover the cutting-edge equipment used in critical care! Sign up for the STARS Inside Innovation tours in Regina and Saskatoon to see the tools and technology powering STARS rescue missions.

Photos: Canadian Light Source, Poppy Project, STARS Air Ambulance