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🗳️ Question of the Week

Calgary’s $28 billion innovation strategy

At its 2025 Report to the Community last week, Calgary Economic Development presented an innovation strategy that the organization says identifies a roadmap for Calgary to become the innovation capital of Canada.

Successful implementation of the strategy is projected to add up to 187,000 jobs within the next 10 years and contribute over $28 billion in economic activity by 2034.

The strategy outlines four goals:

• Establish sector-specific innovation nodes across the city — this is one of the strategy’s founding principles

• Launch an innovation roadmap

• Enhance the impact of Calgary’s innovation ecosystem

• Tell Calgary’s story

Calgary Economic Development says that much of the work to build innovation nodes has already begun with the creation of the Life Sciences Innovation Hub, the Energy Transition Centre and the Aerospace Innovation Hub.

"While we're facing unprecedented levels of economic uncertainty due to tariffs and the ongoing trade dispute with the U.S., we need to focus on what's within our control. Now is the time to double down on innovation and continue building a resilient economy for Calgary," said Brad Parry, President and CEO of Calgary Economic Development and CEO, Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund. "With implementation of the innovation strategy, Calgary has the potential to be a globally recognized city of innovation, and the innovation capital of Canada."

Development of the innovation strategy was facilitated by Calgary Economic Development in close collaboration with key players in the city's innovation ecosystem. Platform Calgary will remain a central on-ramp that provides programming and connects entrepreneurs and new ventures to appropriate resources within the network.

🤝 Funding, Deals, and Partnerships

• Canada puts $8.3M on the table for Alberta’s clean energy future. Anita Anand, minister of innovation, science and industry, announced on March 25 that the Government of Canada will fund 13 clean technology projects in Alberta. Digital Journal

• SAIT partners with global aviation leader Lufthansa Technik to propel aircraft maintenance education. New program development will be specifically focused on training skilled professionals as aircraft maintenance engineers and related roles to support industry growth. SAIT

• Edmonton’s Nanoprecise reveals $38M round to write next chapter of growth. Nanoprecise says it intends to use the latest funding to scale its flagship offering, which provides AI-driven diagnostics for critical industrial machinery. Calgary.Tech

• Calgary invests in quantum future with new accelerator funding. The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) is putting up to $675,000 over three years into QAI Ventures, a Swiss-based firm that’s expanding its accelerator and startup programs into Calgary. Digital Journal

• Alberta’s AdvancedAg secures $2M to boost sustainable farming innovation. The funding will be used to accelerate research and development, build intellectual property, and broaden market access across North America. Calgary.Tech

• Pizza Hut Canada and Startup Canada join forces in three-year partnership to support entrepreneurs with $300,000 in cash grants through Pizza Hut’s equal slice program. Pizza Hut will become the Co-Presenting Partner of The Startup Canada Tour, helping to bring valuable educational resources and networking opportunities to support entrepreneurs nationwide. Pizza Hut Canada

📰 Need To Know

• Plans for an Alberta tax credit for video game developers ends, but industry investment remains. Press Secretary for the Ministry of Technology and Innovation, Jonathan Gauthier, said that the decision to axe the tax credit scheme came after an independent analysis of the Interactive Technologies Incentive Program. Livewire Calgary

• University of Calgary opens Quantum City qHub. New development in Alberta’s quantum-enabling infrastructure brings together experts, industry partners and emerging quantum talent. University of Calgary

• Panel to tackle scaling challenges for Alberta cleantech startups. Panelists will examine the root causes and offer insights on how to overcome barriers to growth. Calgary.Tech

• Future Summit 2025: Calgary to host global gathering on AI and innovation. With a focus on real-world AI adoption, the summit promises disruptive keynotes, executive roundtables, hands-on workshops, and thought-provoking panels across critical industries. Calgary.Tech

• UCalgary engineering students showcase innovation and ingenuity at annual design fair. A total of 138 capstone projects crafted by fourth-year students at the Schulich School of Engineering were on display as part of the signature event aimed at providing practical solutions to everyday problems. CTV News

• Carbon Upcycling welcomes former Holcim Group strategy executive Markus Kritzler as chief revenue officer. With over 20 years of strategy and executive experience, Markus joins Carbon Upcycling at a pivotal time as the company advances toward its flagship commercial-scale project at one of Canada's largest cement plants. Carbon Upcycling Technologies