Economic Development Week is May 4–8, 2026 — a time to spotlight the work that builds stronger, more resilient communities.
Economic development doesn’t happen by chance. It’s the deliberate work of attracting investment, creating jobs and building a strong local economy by fostering conditions where businesses and people can thrive.
In Calgary, this means building a resilient, opportunity-rich city by supporting local businesses, innovation and talent and advancing strategies that promote long-term prosperity, like the city’s economic action plan, Uplook.
This kind of sustainable economic growth requires foresight and the right tools to turn strategy into action. That’s where the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) comes in—to be Calgary’s purpose-built tool for economic development.
How OCIF works
OCIF was created by the City of Calgary in 2018 to help build a more diverse and resilient economy. The fund has a unique role: to invest in initiatives that grow and diversify our economy, create jobs and training opportunities and attract a wide range of investment to Calgary.
Rather than reacting to economic shifts, OCIF works proactively to foster long-term growth—investing in Calgary’s key sectors, building our talent pipeline and creating the conditions where innovation can flourish.
OCIF finds opportunities with the highest potential benefit for Calgary’s economic future, fuels these opportunities through funding that ensures impact and fosters their success by integrating each investment into a network of support.
This model ensures that each project or company supported by OCIF unlocks more opportunities for Calgarians, from work-integrated learning placements to new jobs and stronger pathways for local businesses to compete and grow.
Calgary as Canada’s leading destination for innovation
OCIF is also a key tool advancing Calgary’s Innovation Strategy, our city’s roadmap to become the innovation capital of Canada.
At the heart of the strategy is a plan to create sector-specific innovation nodes across the city. Nodes are interconnected hubs of companies, academic institutions, investors and talent, where founders and companies can access the supports they need to scale and move ideas from concept to commercialization.
Over the last year, OCIF announced several initiatives across sectors supporting the implementation of the strategy, including the ETC Foundation, Xpand Commercialization Hub by ConvergX, AgSphere and the Alberta Logistics Centre of Excellence.
Strategic investments that pay off at home
By focusing on high-potential sectors and long-term, measurable outcomes, OCIF’s investments create a ripple effect across Calgary’s economy. Every dollar committed by OCIF has delivered a 12X return on investment, spurring a total of more than $1.1 billion in economic activity.
From aerospace, agriculture and energy to emerging sectors like quantum and dual-use technology, the fund’s investments have generated significant economic benefits for Calgary, including:
- 3,999 jobs created or retained
- 1,040 companies created or scaled
- 5,470 training and work-integrated placements completed
- 828,000 sq. ft. of office and commercial space absorbed
Together, these results show how targeted investments can accelerate the growth of local companies, strengthen Calgary’s innovation ecosystem and develop the talent needed for long-term competitiveness.
We’re not leaving Calgary’s economy to chance
As Calgary approaches nearly two million people and navigates trade and global economic uncertainty, OCIF’s strategic investments are helping ensure our economy is inclusive, resilient and future-ready.
OCIF, alongside Calgary Economic Development and government and community partners, is creating a city where Calgarians can scale their businesses and build meaningful careers and lives.
Learn how OCIF is strengthening our economy at opportunitycalgary.com.