Calgary is at the heart of digital transformation in Alberta and home to a diverse and growing tech ecosystem with a new generation of companies emerging to help solve global challenges.
To support growth in the sector Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) announced it will offer $22.3 million in interest-free repayable funding to support the scale-up of 13 leading-edge Calgary tech companies.
The funding is available through PrairiesCan’s Business Scale-up and Productivity program that helps high-growth companies expand and produce innovative goods, services and technologies to meet global demand.
“Calgary is a city of innovators and the support from PrairiesCan and Platform Calgary will help more of our ground-breaking companies scale their solutions to global challenges,” said Brad Parry, President and Chief Executive Officer, Calgary Economic Development. “It is critical promising local companies have the ability to reach global markets and this investment is an example of why Calgary is a top tech city to launch and expand transformative technology.”
A 2021 study for Calgary Economic Development projected Calgary companies will lead the $20 billion spend on digital transformation in Alberta from 2021 to 2024 as investment in tech rises.
The companies receiving support play crucial roles in strategic sectors identified in the economic strategy Calgary in the New Economy, including agriculture, cleantech and digital technologies. PrairiesCan said the funding will help create1,000 high-value local jobs.
The companies include:
- BlackSquare Inc.
- Canadian UAVs Inc.
- Exergy Solutions Inc.
- Genoptic LED Inc.
- IWR Technologies Ltd.
- MRF Geosystems Corp.
- MyHEAT Inc.
- Nanalysis Corp.
- Natural Distributions Ltd.
- Organics Express Inc.
- SumoQuote Inc.
- Tangent Design Engineering Ltd
- Westgen Technologies Inc.
“These local companies in Calgary are leading the way in innovation and reaching new markets. Our government’s major investment in these 13 leading-edge companies across Calgary, combined with our support for the Platform Innovation Centre in the downtown core, will help ensure the continued growth of Alberta’s thriving technology sector and create quality jobs that help drive our economy forward,” said Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada.
PrairiesCan announced an investment of $2 million to help complete the Platform Innovation Centre in downtown Calgary.
The Platform Innovation Centre is a hub dedicated to supporting startups and entrepreneurs at all stages of the business life cycle. It provides a space for tech companies and local innovators to access resources, support, programs and networking to launch and grow their businesses.
“Behind every great innovator is a great community. The Platform Innovation Centre is the front door to this community—a single point of access for start-up founders as they navigate Calgary’s innovation ecosystem,” said Terry Rock, CEO, Platform Calgary. “The funding from Prairies Economic Development Canada has helped us build a landmark public space where founders, investors and business leaders can connect and collaborate. The Innovation Centre will support a collective effort to triple the economic impact of tech in Calgary and make this city a global hub for start-ups and innovation by 2031.”
Are you interested in learning more about Calgary’s tech scene? Head to our Live Tech Love Life webpage for stories about forward-thinking tech companies, career opportunities and resources.