When it comes to unlocking the next wave of growth in Canada’s major infrastructure, Calgary-based Ultimarii is leading the charge. The startup’s mission is clear: get major infrastructure projects including transmission, power generation and natural resource transport, built faster by radically improving the regulatory process.
Ultimarii is doing just that by applying AI and automation to what is traditionally one of the biggest bottlenecks in infrastructure: regulatory review and approval. Their solutions cut through red tape by transforming how applications are submitted, analyzed, and responded to by regulators. What once took months of back-and-forth can now be addressed in a matter of weeks.
Building solutions in Calgary
“We built Ultimarii for this exact moment in time,” says co-founder Josh Malate, a civil engineer and seasoned entrepreneur with deep Calgary roots. “We saw the challenge coming—critical infrastructure delayed by legacy processes—and we knew Calgary had the expertise and network to build the solution.”
That expertise includes top-tier AI engineers and data scientists— professionals drawn to Ultimarii through the opportunities created in part by the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) Express program, as well as by the entrepreneurial mindset of its customers and their readiness to adopt new solutions.
OCIF Express aids in securing high-value talent
OCIF Express is designed to give fast-growing startups the runway they need to scale quickly. Through its streamlined funding model, OCIF drives job creation, attracts investment, and accelerates innovation via training. For Ultimarii, the support was pivotal.
“The OCIF Express funding allowed us to recruit high-value AI talent into Calgary,” Malate explains. “We’ve been able to take top-tier technical education and pair it with Calgary’s strength in commercialization. It’s a combination that delivers real business results.”
The results speak for themselves: in less than a year, Ultimarii raised $2 million, developed a nationally applicable platform and secured multiple paying customers. Their tech is already speeding up application reviews in highly regulated environments. And now, the team is scaling their model across other sectors and jurisdictions.
Momentum is driving further investment
That momentum just accelerated. On September 9, 2025, Ultimarii announced it had secured and additional $3.2 million in funding, bring their total to $5.2 million, to expand its platform and accelerate major project development. The company’s AI-enabled solution can assess the feasibility of complex projects in minutes, surfacing risks that might otherwise lead to years of regulatory delay. By rapidly analyzing thousands of pages of filings, Ultimarii helps regulators and proponents focus resources where they matter most, improving transparency and speeding decision-making.
Ultimarii was co-founded by the Hon. Doug Schweitzer—former Alberta Minister of Justice and Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation—and Malate. Their combined expertise in law, government, and technology underscores the company’s mission to make regulatory systems more effective for industry, regulators, and the public alike.
What sets Ultimarii apart isn’t just the tech—it’s the vision of Calgary as a headquarters city for the next generation of Canadian enterprise. “There’s a reason we built this company in Calgary,” says Malate. “This city is home to the companies, regulators, and service providers that know infrastructure inside and out. It’s the perfect environment to solve this problem.”
Creating economic impact for Calgary
That vision aligns directly with OCIF’s mandate: to support innovation, attract investment, and grow Calgary as a hub for head offices and anchor companies. Ultimarii exemplifies what OCIF aims to foster; companies that generate high-value jobs, attract top talent, and drive economic impact across sectors.
For other tech companies on the rise, Malate offers this advice: “Do the work. There are no shortcuts. Programs like OCIF Express are catalysts—but you have to be ready to move fast, hire smart, and solve real problems.”