Small Business Week is a celebration of the people and companies shaping Calgary’s economy from the ground up. Across every sector and ward in the city — Calgary small businesses are driving innovation, creating jobs, and solving some of the world’s most challenging issues.
Small businesses are the backbone of Calgary’s economy. In fact, Calgary’s small businesses contributed $129B to the economy, the highest GDP per capita in Canada.
Calgary is doubling down on small businesses through programs like the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) Express. Calgary Economic Development and the City of Calgary are helping local companies access the talent and leadership they need to scale — faster and smarter.
From advanced manufacturing to clean technology and AI, check out these Calgary businesses who are seizing opportunities and turning bold ideas into big impact:
Hiring for specialized roles can be a challenge for small manufacturers. MRO Electronics, a family-run Calgary company, used support from OCIF Express to reimagine its recruitment strategy and bring in leadership to drive growth in new sectors like aerospace and high-tech manufacturing.
Read more here.
Carbon Upcycling: Building the next generation of clean tech leadership
As one of Calgary’s leading clean technology innovators, Carbon Upcycling Technologies is scaling up — and investing in people to get there. Through OCIF Express, the company accessed funding to help build a leadership team ready to take its carbon utilization technology to global markets.
Read the Carbon Upcycling's full story, here.
Virtuo: Digitizing the homeownership experience
Calgary’s Virtuo is modernizing the home-buying process from start to finish. Backed by OCIF support, the company is expanding its platform and team to simplify how Canadians manage one of life’s biggest milestones; owning a home.
Read the article, here.
Ultimarii: Calgary startup uses AI to fast-track major infrastructure
When it comes to building the future, speed matters. Ultimarii, a Calgary startup, is using artificial intelligence to streamline how major infrastructure projects are planned and approved. With support from OCIF Express, the company added key people to drive AI initiatives to accelerate growth and expand its impact across Canada.
Read about how Ultimarii is using AI, here.
Calgary’s entrepreneurial spirit continues to fuel innovation, resilience, and economic growth. With the OCIF and the Government of Alberta, through the OCIF Express program, investing up to $3.5 million into local companies, the city is strengthening its position as a hub for bold ideas and big impact. From small business owners to emerging tech leaders, Calgary’s innovators are driving change and shaping a future where opportunity and innovation grow hand in hand.