Calgary is building a diversified, future-ready economy — and the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) is one of the most effective tools the city has to make it happen.
Created by the City of Calgary in 2018, OCIF boosts economic resilience by creating jobs and attracting investment, ensuring Calgary remains competitive across Canada and the world. The fund is critical to advancing Calgary’s Innovation Strategy, the city’s roadmap to become Canada’s innovation capital.
From aerospace to agriculture and quantum technology, here’s a look back at the projects OCIF supported in 2025 and how they’re shaping Calgary’s innovation-driven future.
OCIF supports major win in Calgary’s aerospace sector in 2025
Lufthansa Technik (LHT) chose Calgary for its Canadian headquarters and broke ground on its $120 million facility at YYC Calgary International Airport. Supported by a $2.5 million investment from OCIF, the project will create up to 160 highly skilled jobs at Lufthansa Technik Canada by 2030.
LHT joins OCIF’s list of strategic investments, including the Aerospace Innovation Hub and the Aerospace Composite Materials Lab at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology — highlighting the limitless possibilities of Calgary’s aerospace sector.
Calgary at the forefront of quantum technology
Industries worldwide are turning to quantum computing and AI to solve complex problems. With OCIF’s investment in QAI Ventures, a leading Quantum AI ecosystem builder, Calgary is staying globally competitive by accelerating the development of local quantum talent and startups.
Fuelling Canada’s first XPRIZE Hub
OCIF invested $1.5 million to launch Canada’s first XPRIZE Hub in the Blue Sky City, hosted by the University of Calgary. The initiative will foster groundbreaking research, remove commercialization barriers and ensure Calgarians can turn bold ideas into scalable solutions.
OCIF Express helps local SME’s access funds faster
Across every sector and quadrant in Calgary — small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) drive our economy forward. OCIF unlocked capital for these SMEs with a $3.5 million investment in partnership with the Government of Alberta (GoA). The new funding stream, OCIF Express, supports 23 local companies looking to create over 150 jobs and train nearly 90 Calgarians, building a more competitive and future-ready workforce.
Powering Calgary's economy into the future
Calgary’s energy sector saw a boost in 2025 with OCIF’s $1.5 million investment in the ETC Foundation. The ETC Foundation brings together innovators and corporate partners to fast-track technologies essential for a low-carbon economy. The investment is expected to train up to 60 individuals, support 30 local companies and incubate 10 new companies for commercialization over four years.
Calgary as a hub for aviation expertise and innovation
To address a growing shortage of aviation talent, OCIF is supporting an $11 million project to build the Alberta Training Centre of Excellence at YYC Calgary International Airport. This five-year investment strengthens Calgary’s position as a centre for aerospace research, training and innovation.
Building Calgary’s future workforce with The Knowledge Society
OCIF is fostering the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs with a follow-on investment in The Knowledge Society (TKS). With the new funding, TKS will broaden its youth accelerator program in Calgary, which prepares high school students with real-worlds skills to tackle global challenges. This expansion builds on OCIF’s original investment in TKS in 2024, helping deepen its impact across the city and preparing Calgary’s youth for the future economy.
OCIF accelerates Calgary’s dual-use and defence technologies
Calgary companies can more easily scale their dual-use technologies with OCIF’s funding of the Xpand Commercialization Hub by ConvergX. The Xpand hub will unlock economic opportunities, create high-value jobs and attract private investment across sectors.
Advancing agrifood innovation in Canada
As global demand for food and fuel intensifies, OCIF announced a $2.75 million investment to support and establish AgSphere — a national hub advancing agrifood innovation by connecting agriculture, technology and talent. With OCIF funding, AgSphere aims to increase technology adoption, attract investment and address workforce shortages in the agriculture industry.
What’s ahead for OCIF in 2026
This year, the fund remains focused on building a diversified and resilient economy by investing in projects that equip working Calgarians with the skills they need to succeed and strengthen our local economy.
OCIF will continue to be a catalyst for investment and growth — creating the conditions for emerging sectors to thrive and positioning Calgary as a global leader in innovation.