Calgary could become 'innovation capital' under bold roadmap

Calgarians continue to power innovation and push the envelope on multiple fronts, despite uncertainty with Canada’s largest trading partner. Tariff-induced economic uncertainty has left a window of opportunity for Calgary to showcase itself on the world stage, according to Brad Perry, the president and CEO of Calgary Economic Development. On Wednesday CED unveiled Calgary’s Innovation Strategy, which sets out ambitions for the city to become “the innovation capital of Canada.

” “Now is a great time to bring this to the forefront, to showcase not just to ourselves, but to the rest of Canada and the world ...



that we can be that innovation capital,” Perry told reporters. If the strategy’s roadmap is successfully implemented, it could add up to 187,000 jobs within the next decade and contribute over $28 billion in economic activity by 2034, says CED. The framework will also help build economic diversity and resilience, Perry said.

Hopes are to create an interconnected network of innovation “nodes” or hubs across the city, with sector specific resources at each. The hubs would allow startups, researchers and industry leaders to collaborate and scale new technologies. Other goals Perry noted were removing barriers to entry, improving the impact of Calgary’s innovation “ecosystem” through focused IP (intellectual property) strategies, expansion of regulatory sandboxes and capital way finding.

“We will also want to tell a cohesive story about the innovation that’s happening here in Calgary, and want to tell that story locally, nationally and internationally,” said Perry. Among CED’s partners is Platform Calgary, which Perry called the “epicentre” of the startup ecosystem for the city. Jennifer Lussier, Platform’s chief operating officer, said the city’s tech sector has seen an “incredible string of growth.

” “We operate as a true hub model where entrepreneurs scale-ups, industry talent, investors can collide, connect and create,” said Lussier. Platform Calgary sees over 140,000 people per year, 2,000 entrepreneurs offering educational programs, and has a membership of 850 tech companies. Those companies generated $230 million in revenue and employed almost 10,000 people in the city last year.

Other nodes in Calgary include the Life Sciences Innovation Hub, Quantum Hub, Energy Transition Centre and the Aerospace Innovation Hub..