The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) will provide up to $3 million to LodgeLink Inc., an investment that will support an expected 300 new tech jobs over five years in Calgary.
Along with the 300 tech jobs associated with OCIF support, which will include roles in software development and systems/data analytics, LodgeLink expects to hire for another 300 non-tech positions in Calgary. The company expects another 160 workers will be hired in a variety of locations as it focuses on technology to expand its domestic and international business.
The company forecasts it will require almost 50,000 square feet of office space in downtown Calgary to accommodate the 600 additional staff. It is also working with local post-secondary institutions to support the innovation ecosystem and grow the tech talent pool in the city.
“LodgeLink is applying innovative technology to transform workforce travel,” said Trevor Haynes, CEO, LodgeLink and Chairman & CEO, Black Diamond Group. “In partnership with OCIF, we’re recruiting and relocating strong tech-based talent, while also developing local expertise in Calgary to further develop and build the capabilities of the LodgeLink platform, which is a key aspect for our rapid growth and continued success.”
“The support of LodgeLink by OCIF is an investment in expanding and broadening our tech ecosystem and working with an established industry player to apply technology in solving an industrywide challenge. We have been extremely impressed with Trevor and the entire team at LodgeLink and are excited to support our collective vision of helping to digitize and transform industries in Calgary,” said Mark Blackwell, Chair of the OCIF Board of Directors and Partner at Builders VC.
LodgeLink was incubated inside Black Diamond Group (BDI. TSX) of Calgary, a leading space rental and workplace accommodation company. It offers customers a suite of tools to improve visibility, mid-office efficiency and lower pricing and is constantly developing its platform to include mobile apps, GPS mapping, automated reporting and predictive analytics, integration of key supplier software and services such as duty of care, air and ground transportation.
“It’s been obvious for a while now that the professional skills already abundant in Calgary could be put to use in innovating cross-sector. LodgeLink is the latest example of that, and the creation of these 600 jobs is just the beginning,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi, a member of the OCIF Board of Directors.
The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund was launched by The City of Calgary in April 2018 to support investments that spur growth and create jobs in strategic sectors identified in the economic strategy, Calgary in the New Economy. LodgeLink is the 14th organization to be approved for funding.
