Innovating and thriving with technology

Whether it’s feeding, fueling, healing, or moving, Calgary is solving the world’s greatest challenges through the creation and adoption of transformative technologies. From software to hardware and services, digital transformation (DX) is quickly becoming the largest driver of new solutions and technology investments among Calgary businesses. Calgary companies will lead the $20 billion spend on digital DX in Alberta from 2021 to 2024. Given its concentration of headquarters and industrial sector base, Calgary is at the heart of the industrial digital transformation and home to many made-in-Calgary success stories. 

Digital Transformation

Calgary is a city primed and ready to take on global challenges - we’re already doing it. A city with budding entrepreneurs and future-thinking problem solvers. A city that’s leading the $20 billion spend on digital transformation in Alberta through 2024Digitalization is a fundamental driver in Canada’s economic transformation, and it is Calgary businesses that are breaking down traditional boundaries and shaping our future with new ways of creating, interacting, and working.

5G and connectivity

See why Calgary’s established leadership in 5G preparedness, overall connectivity and efficient regulatory environment, position the city to be a centre for 5G development and application.

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Calgary is an opportunity-rich city.

Our interactive investment map highlights the foreign direct investment (FDI) that has taken place in the Calgary area over the past 6 years.

Explore Investment in Calgary

Creating the next generation

Calgary’s post-secondary schools and other leaders in the community are creating the tech-savvy talent for the future.

Alberta Innovates

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The Alberta Government is supporting quantum technologies research and development through strategic research project grants, which support priority-driven research and innovation at Campus Alberta post-secondary institutions. Alberta Innovates currently has four quantum projects underway (approx. value of $3.6 million).

AltalML

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AI/ML Center of Excellence is an applied data science internship created to accelerate Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI/ML) skills development through hands-on, paid, mentored work experience for up to 240 individuals with STEM qualifications. Over three years it is anticipated to generate 240 graduates and 240 in-market hires. This scalable program has room to grow with support through its partnerships, which include Suncor, TransAlta, ATB Financial, and Spartan Controls.

Bow Valley College Creative Technologies, Data Management and Analytics

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Two new, innovative programs announced by Bow Valley College this year reflect the current and future demand in creative technology. The Digital Design Diploma focuses on the digital aspects of design and production, and the Data Management and Analytics Post-Baccalaureate Certificate prepares graduates for data requirements, life cycle, modeling, gathering and interpreting results.

EvolveU pivots towards jobs in tech

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Rainforest Alberta, Calgary Economic Development and the Hunter Family Foundation launched EvolveU in 2019 for people looking to pivot their careers. Offering opportunities to learn in-demand skills across data, design, business and technology, the program combines a practical curriculum with onsite mentoring, peer-to-peer learning experiences and personalized career coaching.
Lighthouse Labs Bootcamps

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Impressing the importance of code in the classroom, Lighthouse Labs created the Code Create Teach courses for K-12 educators across Canada. In Calgary, their full-time Web Development Bootcamp programs and part-time Intro to Web Development Courses development classes are open for applicants.

Mount Royal University Chemistry Major

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The four-year Bachelor of Science – Chemistry major at Mount Royal University was designed to ensure students gain critical knowledge and hands-on experience in a space designed with new technology and smaller-than-average class sizes.

Quantum Alberta

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A consortium from the Universities of Alberta, Calgary and Lethbridge and in industry of 33 faculty members, 28 postdoctoral researchers and 135 graduate students undertaking quantum research and development.
SAIT Cyber Security for Control Systems

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Focusing on cyber security training to protect systems that run critical infrastructure in networked environments, this newly announced program runs for 26 weeks in the winter and fall of 2019.
SAIT Digital Transformation (DX) Talent Hub

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The DX Talent Hub will offer highly integrated training programs in digital transformation in a continuing education environment for individuals and corporate workforces. Within five years, the DX Talent Hub is expected to graduate more than 1,500 individuals from its Digital Adoption training program, including graduating at least three dozen corporate workforce cohorts.

University of Calgary’s Institute for Quantum Science and Technology

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A multidisciplinary group of researchers in the areas of Computer Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics. In 2018 the institute received $5.8 Million in research funding.
University of Calgary Masters of Software Engineering

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This September, the first cohort of 40 students will complete the highly focused, fast-track master’s degree in software engineering. Students can complete this hands-on, course-based program in as little as eight months.

Calgary is a living lab

Calgary’s Living Lab offers businesses and researchers access to public spaces, transportation corridors, dark fibre / LoRaWAN networks and other City-owned assets to test, validate and showcase their technological innovation in a real-life environment. Unmanned and autonomous systems, augmented reality and virtual reality are just a few examples of some successful labs that have been implemented. The Living Lab is helping Calgary become a Smart City by using innovation, data and connected technology to improve the quality of life of Calgarians.

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Related links

Start Alberta database
Start Alberta is the digital platform and gathering space for Alberta’s tech community. Companies, founders, investors, students and anyone interested in our digital economy can explore our community and ecosystem through Start Alberta.

Startup Calgary events
See what events in the startup community could align with your business.

Startup Visa Program
Start-up Visa Program. Find out how to immigrate to Canada by starting a business and creating jobs, or support innovative entrepreneurs.

The A100
A100 members expand networks, connect people and share experiences to help drive lasting diversification for Alberta’s economy. 

Calgary Innovation Coalition 
The Calgary Innovation Coalition (CIC) is a group of organizations in the Calgary region that support innovation-driven entrepreneurs, startups, and enterprises. 

Startup Genome Calgary
Startup Genome is the world-leading innovation policy advisory and research firm, having advised the ecosystem development strategy and action plans for more than 40 governments in the last year.

Alberta Tech Deal Flow Study
The Alberta Tech Deal Flow Study is currently the most comprehensive view of the tech startups in Alberta. This is made possible by the many submissions and support from the tech companies, supporting organizations and investors who are actively involved in Alberta’s tech sector.

Funding resources

Hiring Grants

Canada-Alberta Job Grant: The Canada-Alberta Job Grant is a training program where an employer applies on behalf of their present or future employees for eligible training costs.

MitacsMitacs is a nonprofit national research organization that, in partnerships with Canadian academia, private industry and government, operates research and training programs in fields related to industrial and social innovation.

Venture for Canada: Venture for Canada is a national charity that links interns and recent grads to paid opportunities at Canadian startups and small businesses.

Early Stage Funding

Valhalla Private Capital: Valhalla Private Capital is marking the beginning of two new ventures that will amplify its work in helping companies thrive across Canada and internationally.

Accelerate Fund: Accelerate Fund supports the growth of early-stage Alberta technology companies with a venture capital fund that matches angel investment. We are currently seeking qualified companies for the $15-million Accelerate Fund III.

Sprout Fund: The Sprout Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to funding various programs designed to increase civic engagement in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Sprout-funded murals were named the "Best Public Art" by the Pittsburgh City Paper in 2006.

Harvest Builders: Harvest is a growth platform and venture studio that helps launch and scale startups into globally competitive companies.

Venture Capital Association of Alberta: Alberta's primary industry association for venture capital, private equity, angel investors and others interested in furthering the industry in Alberta.

Alberta Enterprise Corp: Alberta Enterprise was created by the Government of Alberta in 2008, and have since connected Alberta inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs to money, markets and mentors – by fostering a thriving venture capital (VC) industry in our province. They manage a fund which, via their venture capital partners, invests into technology and innovation companies.

Relay Ventures: Relay Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund focused on industries with the potential for growth, fuelled by the rapid adoption of technology.

Panache Ventures: Panache Ventures is Canada's most active seed stage venture capital fund and the only national pre-seed platform. The firm is led by a team of experienced operators, with a strong angel investor track record, years of institutional VC experience and a strong network in Canada, in Silicon Valley and worldwide. The fund has a founders-first philosophy, a commitment to diversity and strategically co-invests with smart angel investors and seed stage funds.

Builders VC: Helping founders modernize antiquated industries.

McRock Capital: Since its inception in 2012, McRock has been widely recognized as the first investment firm focused exclusively on the Industrial IoT.

Yaletown Partners: Yaletown invests in software, data and device technologies disrupting and modernizing traditional industries, services, real estate, and infrastructure. Their goal is to create a true foundation for climate resilient growth while delivering real value today.

Thin Air Labs: Thin Air Labs is an ecosystem studio igniting venture growth for greater human impact. We invest in very early-stage innovation through our venture arm, we help ventures succeed with our impact services team and we help nurture the innovation ecosystem through our involvement and influence with community builders and critical ecosystem partners

Funding Resources

NACO (Canada regional office in Calgary): Over 20 years, the National Angel Capital Organization NACO has emerged as the bedrock of Canada's entrepreneurial and innovation economy.

The51: By uniting Canada’s untapped women’s wealth, The51 is creating a new critical mass of women investors, making Canada the centre for women-powered capital. With 30% of Alberta’s tech start-ups founded or co-founded by women, The51’s home province is well on its way to achieving this goal; however, with women-founded startups only receiving 2.3% of venture capital available world-wide, The51’s vision spans globally. 

AngelBot: AngelBot asks the tough questions and lets you know if you are ready for real thing

Innovation Canada Tool: Find the right programs and services, whether you’re starting out or scaling up.

VCAA: Alberta’s primary industry association for venture capital, private equity, angel investors and others interested in furthering the industry in Alberta.

Thin Air Labs: Thin Air Labs is an ecosystem studio igniting venture growth for greater human impact. We invest in very early-stage innovation through our venture arm, we help ventures succeed with our impact services team and we help nurture the innovation ecosystem through our involvement and influence with community builders and critical ecosystem partners

Want to learn more? Get in touch

Contact
Chelsea Hallick web 2022 500x500
Chelsea Hallick

Business Development Manager, Enterprise Technology

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