In 1988 Calgary hosted the Olympic Winter Games. For sixteen days in February, the rest of the world was introduced to a small prairie city that would continue punching above its weight for years to come. We still hold the remnants of those Olympic Games, but today we have new reasons to capture the eyes of the world.
Calgary is a highly connected global city that has enjoyed outsized influence thanks to the success of our homegrown energy industry. Our path has led to a city that boasts a concentration of really smart people, deep pools of local capital, complemented by an entrepreneurial and risk-seeking spirit. This city is also on the forefront of some of the world’s most interesting and lucrative challenges including energy transition, food security, and supply chain certainty. Solving these problems is a multi-trillion dollar opportunity.
As the global economy evolves, Calgary is evolving with it. Our journey starts with celebrating where we have come from and being aspirational about where we want to be. Deliberate actions have already been taken to accelerate an economic transformation that will establish Calgary as a global economic driver for decades to come.
Calgary has natural advantages that appeal to every innovator. For decades, Calgary has boasted one of the most business friendly environments in all of North America. As an innovation ecosystem, no one is more collaborative. Platform Calgary itself works with more than 110 partners to support founders through the various stages of their entrepreneurial journey.
Calgary-based innovators benefit from strong political leadership as well. In 2018, Calgary City Council unanimously approved an economic strategy for Calgary titled “Calgary in the New Economy”. This strategy, updated in 2022, sets an ambitious vision for the city that creates long-term prosperity and opportunities for all. Also in 2018, Calgary City Council voted to establish the $100 million Opportunities Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF). This catalytic fund was designed to attract investment, drive innovation, and spur transformative economic development. And in 2022 Calgary saw the opening of the Platform Innovation Centre — a 50,000 square foot purpose built facility that encapsulates the place, the programs, and the partners needed to dramatically grow Calgary’s innovation footprint.
And here’s the best part — it’s working.
According to Startup Genome’s 2023 Global Startup Ecosystem Report, Calgary is rapidly climbing the ranks as an innovation leader. After being completely off the radar five years ago, today Calgary ranks in the top 60 of emerging markets globally. This puts us in a peer group with major international cities like Mexico City, Vienna, and Buenos Aires.
At a time when many other markets saw contractions in tech investment, Calgary had another year of incredible growth with more than $647 million of venture capital investment. Calgary’s success has not been by accident, rather it is the result of the deliberate collaboration of a whole community that is focused on accelerating Calgary’s economic transformation.
Bet on Calgary.
Dr. Terry Rock, President and CEO – Platform Calgary Terry is a passionate promoter of Calgary’s potential as one of the world’s most dynamic cities, and has been a part of numerous community building initiatives. He is inspired every day by the innovators that are putting Calgary tech on the global map.
