More than 100 years of impact
For more than a century, University of Alberta alumni have had an impact in Alberta, Canada and the world. The university has produced a former prime minister and a chief justice of the supreme court, has been part of groundbreaking research, and has launched businesses — and even industries — that contribute to the economic and cultural growth of their communities.
According to a 2023 survey by Ernst & Young, U of A alumni have founded more than 75,000 companies that contribute $250 billion to the global economy and employ 922,000 people worldwide. The survey also shows remarkable numbers in startup investment, volunteer hours and contributions to industries ranging from health care to education to arts and entertainment.
“Alumni represent the best of the U of A across every corner of the globe. Now we can quantify just how large a footprint they contribute to the economic, intellectual and cultural arenas here in Alberta and around the world.”
— Bill Flanagan, president of the University of Alberta
Highlights
U of A grads have led breakthroughs in every sector, built industries, created communities and enriched the social and cultural lives of communities.
$250B
annual revenue generated by alumni-founded companies
75,000
profit and non-profit companies founded by alumni
$8.7B
total alumni investment in startup companies
$12.1B
investment in established businesses
922,000
jobs supported annually by alumni-founded companies
71%
grads working for organizations located within Alberta
86%
alumni who have volunteered over the past 12 months
Economic Driver
The survey shows that University of Alberta alumni-founded companies add $250 billion to the global economy every year. That’s roughly the equivalent of the GDP of New Zealand.
This alumni impact report follows the U of A economic impact report released in April 2023, which demonstrated that the University of Alberta itself generates $19.4 billion a year for the province’s economy, contributing more than five per cent of Alberta’s GDP. This means that in Alberta alone, every year the institution and its grads combined add up to $155.8 billion dollars to the provincial economy.
$250B
annual revenue generated by alumni-founded companies
Of that total, $136.4 billion is contributed annually to Alberta’s economy, which is equal to the GDP percentage of the province’s top three industries: oil and gas, real estate and manufacturing. The economic contribution to the rest of Canada is $64.6 billion and $48.8 billion across the rest of the world.
922,000
jobs supported annually by alumni-founded companies
Of those, 560,000 people are in Alberta and make up more than 22 per cent of the province’s total workforce. Grads employ 220,000 in the rest of Canada and 141,000 across the rest of the globe.
71%
of grads work for organizations within Alberta
The impact on Alberta is further amplified because U of A grads overwhelmingly stay, create and invest in the province. The top industries in which grads have founded companies are well-aligned Alberta’s priority growth sectors: professional, scientific and technical services (25 per cent); and health care and social assistance (11 per cent). Overall, the results of this survey highlight how U of A grads are both Alberta’s job creators and Alberta’s workforce.
We have always known that U of A grads enrich the communities where they work and live. Now we have the numbers demonstrating that U of A alumni are a vital economic driver in Canada and Alberta — especially in Alberta’s priority growth sectors. And as we grow our student body to 60,000 students by 2030, the future impact of U of A alumni will only multiply.
Bill Flanagan, president of the University of Alberta
Industries and Investments
The top three industries in which grads have founded companies are:
-
25%professional, scientific and technical services
-
11%arts, entertainment and recreation
-
11%health care and social assistance
-
Grads help build new companies -
$8.7Btotal alumni investment across 59,000 startup companies
-
$12.1Btotal alumni investment across 122,000 established businesses
Social and Cultural Impact
U of A grads are also highly invested in making an impact in social and cultural arenas.
- 5.4% of alumni have founded businesses with a focus on contributing to cultural, environmental or social goals, particularly energy sustainability
- 86% of alumni have volunteered over the past 12 months
- 50% of grads are actively engaged in mentoring activities
- $979M in charitable donations made by grads over the past 12 months
- 65% of grads are committed to careers that make substantial contributions to the social and economic welfare of the wider public, including grads who improve health, well-being and safety (26%); promote social and cultural inclusion (15%); advance equality and opportunity (15%)
When I trace what I’ve done personally and professionally, there’s always this alumni link. I hope that everyone can capture that same value from their degree.
The Next Generation of Impact
There are currently over 300,000 U of A grads around the world, each making an impact in their community. And every year around 9,000 students receive their degrees and make the transition to the alumni community. Each one ready to make a tangible difference in the world — improving the quality of life for all.
As the U of A prepares to grow its student population from 40,000 to 60,000 over the next decade, the potential for future alumni impact is unlimited.