Calgary: A global tech hub and third most livable city in the world

July 12, 2022
Life in Calgary Innovation New Economy Technology
CHA photo

Photo credit: Travel Alberta/ Sean Thonson
This article first appeared online on June 30 in London Tech Week news. 

To cultivate innovation, cities need to attract and retain bright minds with big ideas. With a skilled tech talent pool, vibrant culture and inclusive community, Calgary, Alberta, Canada is a place of opportunity for tech startups and global scaleups. 

Ranked the third most livable city in the world by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Calgary is recognized as the best major city to build a life in North America. Tied with Zurich at third place on the list, Calgary received top marks for Culture, Environment and Education, which aligns with the city’s focus on talent and livability in the economic strategy, Calgary in the New Economy. 

With more than 4,300 open tech career opportunities, Calgary’s lifestyle advantages make it a top choice for in-demand talent looking to build a career and a life. 

Calgary is the sunniest city in Canada and has the longest multi-use urban pathway and bikeway system in North America. Just an hour’s drive west is the Canadian Rocky Mountains with picturesque mountain towns enjoyed year-round by locals and international visitors. 

The city has one the youngest and third most diverse population in Canada, with more than 120 languages spoken. Add to this Calgary’s affordable cost of living and vibrant culinary, arts and culture scene, it’s no wonder why the city continues to attract innovators from around the world.  

A study from LinkedIn Talent Insights in spring 2022 found the city is experiencing the fastest growth in tech talent in North America. This stream of talent is welcome in Calgary, home to the highest concentration of high-tech workers of Canadian cities.  

With a collaborative innovation ecosystem and investment support from all orders of government, tech is embraced as both a leading industry and a driver of growth for companies in all sectors of the digital economy in Calgary.  

Startup Genome ranked Calgary as one of the Top 30 clean tech ecosystems globally for 2021 and placed Calgary among the Top 10 North American Ecosystems for Affordable Talent in its 2022 Global Startup Ecosystem Report. 

Leading multinational players including IBM, Mphasis, AWS, Infosys and Unity have large and growing operations in the city, which has the highest head office concentration per capita in Canada. 

With record venture capital investment, local tech startups are drawn to the momentum and Calgary’s signature ambitious entrepreneurial spirit. An Innovation District in the downtown core at Platform Calgary is a hub of access to resources and funding through a growing number of business accelerators and incubators, including global players Plug and Play, SVG | Thrive and Endeavor 

With a vibrant innovation ecosystem and affordable cost of living, bright minds with big ideas can truly Live Tech and Love Life in Calgary.  

 

Download the full white paper for more on The State of Calgary’s Innovation Ecosystem

For more on life in Calgary, watch ➤ Calgary: Home to everyone. 

 

 

 

Subscribe to Our Mailing List