Calgary Economic Development

Brad Parry, President and CEO of Calgary Economic Development (CED) and CEO of the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF), Joe Lougheed, CED Board Chair and Dan Balaban, OCIF Board Chair, extend their heartfelt gratitude to Calgary City Councillor Richard Pootmans as he steps away from public office. Richard's enduring dedication to Calgary is unparalleled, reflected in his three terms as Ward 6 Councillor, his leadership as a board member of CED and OCIF and his impactful contributions as a former CED staff member. His collaborative approach bridged private and public sectors, ensuring sustainable growth for our city.? Richard, we thank you for your steadfast service, leadership and commitment to our community and we wish you all the best. Your legacy will inspire Calgary's bright future for years to come. City of Calgary

Women make up 51 percent of the population but receive less than a quarter of venture capital. Movement51 is changing that narrative. Read more ??https://lnkd.in/gRNY6-7h Through programs like the Financial Feminism Investing Lab (FFIL), Movement51 equips women and gender-diverse individuals with the skills and confidence to step into the investment and entrepreneurial space. Supported by a $333,000 investment from the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF), Movement51 has empowered over 200 graduates—70 percent from Calgary—to activate their capital and build a more inclusive financial ecosystem. As Shelley Kuipers of The51 aptly put it: “The51 is thrilled OCIF has chosen to invest in Movement51 to diversify the investment and entrepreneurial ecosystem, ensuring the 51 per cent are fully participating in building the financial feminist economy.” Calgary’s emergence as a tech and innovation hub offers immense opportunities. The partnership between OCIF and Movement51 is a pivotal step toward ensuring women lead in shaping the city’s economic future. Let’s celebrate the steps we’re taking toward a more inclusive financial future and the leaders who are driving this transformation. Learn more about OCIF ??https://lnkd.in/gsbUBiw2 Brad Parry | Dan Balaban | Lisa Oldridge | Deana Haley | Angie Petretta | Derek Armstrong | Arielle Land | Judy Fairburn | Alice Reimer | Megan Evans, BPR #LimitlessTogether #WomenInFinance #OCIF

Calgary continues to be a hot spot for venture capital investment. The latest report from Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CVCA) shows the city isn’t just keeping up, we’re charging ahead — with $423 million in investment across 46 deals through the first three quarters of 2024. Read more from the Calgary Herald here ? https://lnkd.in/gciTNKXr. ? “We continue to see really good startups come up, but now we are starting to see these companies start to mature and be able to attract larger-scale investments,” said Calgary Economic Development CEO Brad Parry. “We’re actually able to build companies that can start to catch the eye of major investors at a scale level.” Calgary’s seeing not only larger deals but a solid trajectory that positions the Blue Sky City as a major player in the Canadian venture capital landscape. With a strong quarter expected to close out this year — thanks partly to local unicorn Neo Financial’s recent $360-million funding round — Calgary is on pace for another record-setting year of venture capital growth. Supporting local businesses in scaling to compete on the global stage is a key priority of Calgary’s economic action plan, Uplook. Learn more about the strategy shaping Calgary’s economic future ? https://lnkd.in/e2YMiyxE. Calgary Economic Development | Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CVCA) | Brad Parry | Neo Financial | Platform Calgary Chris Varcoe | Postmedia Network Inc. ? #BlueSkyCity #LimitlessTogether

Speaker announcement! ?? Meet the speakers for our Uplook LIVE?on Nov. 27 below - this free event will feature a presentation from a leading futurist and a powerhouse panel discussing bold initiatives and the strategic steps needed for Calgary to be a global leader across creative sectors. Register here ? https://lnkd.in/g_jKnK4N. Foresight presentation: ?? Rachelle Bugeaud, Foresight Manager with Calgary Economic Development, will kick off the event with a presentation on the global trends and areas where Calgary’s creative industries are set to take centre stage. Meet our panelists: ?? Hasmi Ferguson, Co-founder of Stellar Creative Lab, is a legend in the animation industry. From beloved classics like The Magic School Bus to groundbreaking projects like Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, her leadership continues to redefine animation. ?? Alex Sarian, President & CEO of Arts Commons, is leading the historic $660 million Arts Commons Transformation (ACT) project and a recently-published author. With a global career, Alex's insights into the future of arts and culture are not to be missed. ?? Tasneem Rahim, Vice-President, External at Bow Valley College, is a Calgary Top 40 Under 40 recipient known for her leadership in strategic partnerships and community engagement. She’ll share how education is preparing the next generation for success in Calgary’s creative industries. ?? Moderated by Calgary’s Film Commissioner and CED’s VP of Creative Industries and Operations, Luke Azevedo, this panel will delve into Calgary’s creative future, highlighting growth opportunities and the collaboration ahead for Calgary’s creative economy. Join us to learn, connect and imagine the limitless possibilities of Calgary's creative future! Calgary Economic Development | Brad Parry | Luke Azevedo | Erin O'Connor | Tori Romano | Katherine Koplovich | Harpreet Dhanjal | Rachelle Bugeaud | Stellar Creative Lab | Hasmi Ferguson | Arts Commons | Alex Sarian | Bow Valley College | Tasneem Rahim #BlueSkyCity #UplookLIVE #CreativeEconomy #yycArts

A first-of-its-kind Alberta consortium has come together to push the feds for strategic trade reforms to secure North America’s competitive edge. The group, including the Business Council of Alberta, Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Calgary Economic Development, Canadian Global Affairs Institute and Canada West Foundation, jointly submitted recommendations which emphasize the harmonization of trade regulations across the continent. Read more ? https://lnkd.in/gtGxYU_k. With the 2026 review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) on the horizon, the group responded to the Government of Canada’s call for public feedback. The submission outlines four key priorities focused on energy security and green investment, agricultural trade opportunities, integrated critical minerals supply chain and rules of origin. “Canada’s economy depends on open trade practices across North America. The upcoming CUSMA review is a chance to secure a competitive and stronger economic environment for Western Canada. We are committed to advocating for policies that benefit our businesses and drive long-term prosperity in Calgary and Alberta.” — Brad Parry, President & CEO, Calgary Economic Development and CEO, Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund Calgary, and Canada, rely on strong trade relationships to ensure the success of small and medium-sized businesses, and the economic resiliency of our communities. Learn more about the goal for Calgary to be a top destination for businesses in the city's economic action plan, Uplook ? https://lnkd.in/e2YMiyxE. Business Council of Alberta | Adam Legge | Calgary Chamber of Commerce | Deborah Yedlin | Calgary Economic Development | Brad Parry | Canada West Foundation | Gary Mar | Canadian Global Affairs Institute | David Perry Mike Holden | Ruth Klinkhammer | Samuel Arno Burgess | Brittany Brander | Josh Pentland | Geraldine Anderson | Katherine Koplovich | Lee Todd | Grace Fullerton | Michael Rodriguez | Carlo Dade | Adam Frost #LimitlessTogether #CUSMA?#CUSMA2026

The tech scene is red hot in the Blue Sky City!? Several home-grown tech companies are among the fastest-growing nationwide, according to a new report. Read more from the Calgary Herald ? https://lnkd.in/g2FUMC7y. Two Calgary companies topped Deloitte’s annual Technology Fast 50 rankings, with Neo Financial seeing 154,022 per cent growth over the past year and PurposeMed growing by 16,169 per cent.?Calgary’s ZayZoon and Showpass also ranked in the top 20. From startups to established enterprises — and with the fastest-growing tech workforce in North America — local tech firms are making waves and driving economic growth. Empowering local businesses to expand and compete on the global stage is a key aspect of our economic action plan, Uplook. Learn more ? https://lnkd.in/e2YMiyxE. Calgary Economic Development | Brad Parry | Megan Zimmerman | Chelsea Hallick | Lin Tang | Deloitte | Neo Financial | PurposeMed | ZayZoon | Showpass ? #BlueSkyCity #LimitlessTogether?

Today, Nov. 8 marks National Indigenous Veterans Day, and Nov. 11 is Remembrance Day — both honouring and commemorating the service and sacrifices of the veterans who bravely defended our freedoms. Here are meaningful ways to show your support:? Wear a poppy and donate to the National Poppy Fund ? https://lnkd.in/gYqpEmxw. ?? ?At the stroke of 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, observe two minutes of silence to honour, thank and remember the fallen. ?? Learn about the significant contributions of Indigenous veterans ? https://lnkd.in/gz_9r_HJ. ?? Support your local Legion and participate in acts of remembrance ? https://lnkd.in/ey_9wRDY. ?? Find local events and ceremonies in Calgary ? https://lnkd.in/gFWGJ3mK. ?? Discover more about the history of Remembrance Day ? https://lnkd.in/gPjMVTq. Photo Credit: Christopher Landry, Assistant Editor, Avenue Calgary. ?#LestWeForget #RemembranceDay

Calgary is leading the charge in the global energy transition — and Metlen Energy & Metals is making a major move to cement that status.?The multinational energy company has chosen the Blue Sky City to open its first Canadian headquarters. Learn more ??https://lnkd.in/ge_UTJRQ. Metlen's roster of solar projects across southern Alberta, once operational, will generate?enough renewable energy to power 200,000 homes annually while creating more than 1,500 construction jobs and 115 permanent roles. Establishing an office in Calgary will provide the company with unique opportunities to enhance its operations and develop its solar projects across Alberta. “Calgary is a globally recognized hub for cleantech innovation and a leader in the net-zero energy transition,” said Brad Parry, President and CEO of Calgary Economic Development. “Metlen’s decision to establish its Canadian headquarters in our city signals the strength of our innovative ecosystems, our friendly business environment and skilled talent pool which offer companies opportunities to scale globally directly from Calgary.” Attracting international enterprise to set up shop in Calgary is a key aspect of the city’s economic action plan, Uplook ? https://lnkd.in/e2YMiyxE. #BlueSkyCity #LimitlessTogether Calgary Economic Development | Invest Alberta | Metlen Energy & Metals | Brad Parry | Chris Brown | Matt Jones, CFA | Evangelos Mytilineos

Congratulations to Hanif Joshaghani, Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) Board Member, for being recognized as one of Alberta’s business leaders as the 2024 Young Innovator Award recipient from the Alberta Business Hall of Fame.?Learn more about Hanif and the award ? https://lnkd.in/ghxFtNjq We are happy to see Hanif being recognized as a?business?leader and dedicated community builder. With his latest venture, Symend, redefining how large companies work with customers leveraging data and customer behavior trends, Hanif has created an innovative business that both serves its clients and uplifts its customers. As a valued member of OCIF’s board, his expertise and pragmatic approach has been instrumental in shaping the fund’s community impact ? https://lnkd.in/gsbUBiw2 Brad Parry | Dan Balaban | Deana Haley | Angie Petretta | Derek Armstrong | Megan Evans, BPR #LimitlessTogether #BlueSkyCity

?? Final Call for Applications! ?? Don’t miss out on OCIF Express – a new, streamlined funding opportunity from the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund, designed to help local SMEs grow and innovate. Applications for the first intake close on November 8 at 4:00 p.m. MST. With two funding streams available, OCIF Express supports Calgary businesses in building high-skilled teams and upskilling talent in key areas: ? Job Creation – Funding to support hiring for high-demand roles ? Talent Development – Funding to upskill your workforce in essential skills Apply now to fuel your business's growth and help drive Calgary’s economy forward. Learn more ? https://lnkd.in/gKaMcqVu Brad Parry | Dan Balaban | Deana Haley | Derek Armstrong | Angie Petretta | Megan Zimmerman | Chris Brown | Amy Smith | Pablo Elizondo Bernal, MBA | Megan Evans, BPR | Chelsea Hallick | Aaron Gregory, BBA | Zachary Friesen #LimitlessTogether