Announcements
FUELING CALGARY’S SMES TO BRIDGE TALENT GAPS AND FOSTER WORKFORCE GROWTH THROUGH OCIF EXPRESS
October 17, 2024
Innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Calgary are an economic driver of the city’s economy, but they often face significant challenges staying competitive in today’s rapidly evolving market.
OCIF INVESTS IN SAIT TO BUILD INNOVATION IN CALGARY’S CONSTRUCTION AND MANUFACTURING SECTORS
July 25, 2024
The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) will invest $996,000 over three years into Southern Alberta Institute of Technology’s (SAIT) Alternative Construction Technologies (ACT) Hub to accelerate the development of new construction and manufacturing materials and processes.
OCIF INVESTS IN THE KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY TO DEVELOP THE WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE
March 6, 2024
The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) will provide up to $256,000 to The Knowledge Society (TKS) in the form of scholarships for 80 Calgary high school students to complete a 10-month skills accelerator program.
CALGARY’S AEROSPACE INNOVATION HUB PROPELS FORWARD WITH $3.9 MILLION INVESTMENT FROM OCIF
March 11, 2024
Calgary’s aerospace innovators will gain access to funding, business support and the ability to validate their technologies in real-world settings at the Aerospace Innovation Hub (AIH).
CED AND OCIF WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS
May 31, 2024
Calgary Economic Development (CED) and the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) have announced new additions to their Board of Directors.
OCIF INVESTS IN PLATFORM CALGARY’S NATIONAL BANK INVESTOR HUB TO UNLOCK CAPITAL
June 20, 2024
The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (“OCIF”) will provide up to $400,000 over 28 months to Platform Calgary for the National Bank Investor Hub to unlock capital for underrepresented Calgary-based founders.
OCIF INVESTS IN THE CALGARY ENTERTAINMENT ARTS PRODUCTION HUB AT BOW VALLEY COLLEGE
November 16, 2023
The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund is positioning Calgary to seize new opportunities in digital media and entertainment arts by investing up to $5.5 million into the Calgary Entertainment Arts Production Hub at Bow Valley College.
OCIF SELECTS COMBINE VENTURE BUILDERS TO ACCELERATE GROWTH OF EARLY-STAGE CALGARY COMPANIES
December 20, 2022
The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) announces it will provide up to almost $1.9 million to Combine Venture Builders over two years to support the rapid scaling of innovative early-stage Calgary companies.
OCIF SELECTS MPHASIS TO EXPAND TALENT PIPELINE FOR CALGARY’S MATURING TECH INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM
December 15, 2022
The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) will provide Mphasis with up to $7 million over four years to accelerate the attraction of intermediate and senior- level tech talent to Calgary.
OCIF SUPPORTS AVATAR INNOVATIONS TO CREATE NEW ENERGY TRANSITION COMPANIES
July 21, 2022
The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) will provide up to $500,000 to support Avatar Innovations’ venture studio, Avatar Accelerator, in the creation, development and growth of local companies driving energy transition.
OCIF SUPPORTS NEW IBM WESTERN CANADA CLIENT INNOVATION CENTRE IN CALGARY
June 29, 2022
The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) will provide up to $5 million to support the opening and scaling of IBM’s Western Canada Client Innovation Centre (CIC) in Calgary focused on sustainability.
OCIF SUPPORTS THIN AIR LABS FUND I
June 8, 2022
OCIF will invest $4 million in the Thin Air Labs Fund I Limited Partnership as part of an initial raise of nearly $20 million to support early-stage companies and help accelerate the growth of the local technology and innovation sector.
OCIF DIRECTOR CANNON NAMED TO ALBERTA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME
June 1, 2022
Dr. M. Elizabeth Cannon, a member of the Board of Directors of the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) is one of five people to be inducted into the 2022 Alberta Business Hall of Fame’s southern Alberta class.
OCIF SUPPORTS CALGARY’S CDL-ROCKIES AND MOVEMENT51
December 15, 2021
In a joint virtual media event, OCIF announced it will fund Calgary-based CDL-Rockies and Movement51 to accelerate the creation and growth of tech companies and inspire the economic empowerment of women in Calgary.
OCIF SUPPORTS EARLY-STAGE COMPANIES WITH ACCELERATE FUND III
November 15, 2021
The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund will contribute $6 million to Accelerate Fund III LP, which will match dollars from OCIF under terms of the agreement to support early-stage companies and help accelerate the growth of the local tech and innovation sector.
CALGARY WELCOMES BUSINESS ACCELERATOR PLUG AND PLAY
November 9, 2021
The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund will support local entrepreneurs and startups through the establishment of Plug and Play Alberta by global business accelerator Plug and Play LLC with its headquarters in Calgary.
OCIF ALUM NPOWER SETS COMPANIES, YOUNG CALGARIANS UP FOR SUCCESS
September 8, 2021
As the world continues to move to a digital economy, companies are increasingly aware it is people who drive the advances in tech and there is a constant search for tech talent to keep up with the shift in how companies do business.
SUPPORTING CANADIAN AGRICULTURAL STARTUPS
June 30, 2021
SVG Ventures | THRIVE's platform strengthens local agrifood ecosystem with Calgary HQ.
NEW BOARD MEMBERS ANNOUNCED
June 15, 2021
Calgary Economic Development and the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund held their Annual General Meetings before Calgary City Council on Tuesday and announced new additions to their Boards of Directors.
OCIF EVOLVES TO CREATE MORE COMPANIES AND AN ENVIRONMENT FOR SUCCESS
March 31, 2021
The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund issued two requests for proposals (RFPs) to support the evolution of OCIF to accelerate the creation and scaling of more local companies and to strengthen the tech-innovation ecosystem in Calgary.
ENDEAVOR CANADA SELECTS CALGARY FOR NATIONAL OFFICE
March 30, 2021
The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund, Western Economic Diversification Canada, and a founding Board comprised of successful entrepreneurs and private-sector leaders from across Canada will support the launch of Endeavor Canada, with the head office in Calgary.
OCIF INVESTMENT TO SUPPORT UP TO 300 NEW TECH JOBS IN CALGARY
December 16, 2020
The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) will provide up to $3 million to LodgeLink Inc., an investment that will support an expected 300 new tech jobs over five years in Calgary.
OCIF INVESTS IN SAIT DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION (DX) TALENT HUB
September 9, 2020
The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) is addressing Calgary’s tech talent shortage with an $8.2 million investment in the new SAIT Digital Transformation (DX) Talent Hub.
OCIF SUPPORTS GROWTH OF TWO INNOVATIVE ALBERTA TECH COMPANIES
July 22, 2020
Two Alberta-based companies, AltaML and Harvest Builders, are getting backing from the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund to help upskill local talent, create high-skill jobs and build, grow and scale new technology and tech companies in the city.
MARK BLACKWELL APPOINTED BOARD CHAIR FOR OPPORTUNITY CALGARY INVESTMENT FUND
June 23, 2020
Mark Blackwell, a partner at Builders VC in Calgary, was appointed Board Chair for the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) June 23, among several changes to the Board of Directors following the Annual General Meetings for OCIF and Calgary Economic Development.
INTERGEN DRIVES KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER TO NEXT GENERATION OF ENTREPRENEURS
December 12, 2019
To better leverage the vast business acumen in Calgary, InterGen Canada has been approved to receive up to $100,000 from the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) to launch its InterGen Connect platform to match retired or transitioning local business executives with later-stage startups.
LIGHTHOUSE LABS RECEIVES OCIF SUPPORT TO TRAIN TECH WORKERS IN CALGARY
October 10, 2019
Tech talent is vital for Calgary to take advantage of opportunities in the new economy, and Lighthouse Labs will use support from the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) to expand tech training for Calgarians looking to pivot their careers.
OCIF SUPPORTS LAUNCH OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ACCELERATOR HATCH-YYC
October 9, 2019
The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) recently announced that it will support the launch of the health technology accelerator HATCH-YYC in Calgary to provide companies a platform to accelerate market access and improve patient care.
FINGER FOOD ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY GROUP SELECTS CALGARY FOR FIRST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY CENTRE
September 18, 2019
Finger Food Advanced Technology Group has selected Calgary as the location for its first advanced technology centre to accelerate the incubation of new digital technologies and development of Calgary’s tech and business ecosystems.
PARKLAND CONSOLIDATES NATIONAL OPERATIONS IN CALGARY TO CREATE 270 NEW JOBS
July 9, 2019
Parkland Fuel Corporation will consolidate its national operations in Calgary with support from the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund that will see 270 new fulltime jobs created in the city.
NPOWER CANADA EXPANDS TO CALGARY TO TRAIN YOUTH IN TECH JOBS
May 9, 2019
NPower Canada opened its first location outside Toronto with a location in downtown Calgary that will provide free, short-term training to low income Calgarians ages 18 to 29 interested in careers in the digital economy starting this month.
UCALGARY LIFE SCIENCES INNOVATION HUB WILL TURN RESEARCH INTO COMMERCIAL VENTURES
February 6, 2019
The University of Calgary will receive $8.5 million from the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund for programming that will support turning advanced research into commercial ventures at its new Life Sciences Innovation Hub.
OPPORTUNITY CALGARY INVESTMENT FUND SELECTS ATTABOTICS FOR FUNDING
December 12, 2018
The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund announces Calgary-based ATTAbotics in the robotics intralogistics sector, will receive up to $4.5 million to expand its operations in the city.
MOBSQUAD FIRST COMPANY TO QUALIFY FOR OCIF FUNDING
October 4, 2018
MobSquad is the latest addition to Calgary's tech ecosystem in early October 2018 thanks in part to the City’s new investment attraction initiative.
Recipient stories
OCIF, IBM BUILD SKILLED TALENT IN CALGARY'S TECH SECTOR
October 30, 2024
Calgary is a magnet for skilled workers in the technology sector, some of whom are tackling digital transformation projects at IBM’s Western Canada Client Innovation Centre (CIC).
OCIF AND AFIII: BUILDING ECONOMIC RESILIENCY IN CALGARY
September 4, 2024
The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) has been investing in industry players that position Calgary as the location of choice for companies, capital and talent since 2018. A $100-million visionary initiative, OCIF was launched by the City of Calgary to make strategic investments that diversify and transform the economy.
OCIF, AVATAR INNOVATIONS SUPPORTS CALGARY'S CLEANTECH INNOVATION FROM INSIDE THE ENERGY SECTOR
August 13, 2024
In the race to net zero, Calgary is the place to build our new energy future. Avatar Innovations is a corporate venture studio that’s helping professionals inside the oil and gas sector invent, build and market decarbonization technologies that will help bridge the gap in the energy innovation ecosystem.
OCIF, LIFE SCIENCES INNOVATION HUB STRENGTHEN ECOSYSTEM IN CALGARY
May 29, 2024
Visionaries, scientists and researchers convene in Calgary to discover new solutions at the Life Sciences Innovation Hub (LSIH). To grow the newly emerging life sciences sector for Calgary, the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) committed $8.5 million to the hub at the University of Calgary in 2019.
THRIVE CANADA AND OCIF BUILD AGTECH INNOVATION SCENE IN CALGARY
October 26, 2023
Innovation lives in Calgary. As new ideas pave the way to a resilient future, the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) continues to invest in organizations that scale unique solutions to global challenges.
SWIPE RIGHT ON INNOVATION: OCIF SUPPORTS KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER FOR ENTREPRENEUR DEVELOPMENT
June 7, 2023
Calgary is perfectly positioned to take advantage of accomplished local business talent and the opportunities arising from the increasing prevalence of digitalization. One recent example is Calgary’s InterGen, a not-for-profit company that has developed an online platform to connect experienced business professionals with later-stage Alberta-based startups.
OCIF: TURNING TECH SOLUTIONS INTO STARTUPS WITH CDL-ROCKIES
March 9, 2023
The trend of companies turning to tech is evident in Calgary. With support from a thriving innovation ecosystem, and initiatives like the Opportunity Calgary investment Fund (OCIF) and Creative Destruction Lab – Rockies (CDL-Rockies), companies are transforming traditional industries and turning tech solutions into startups.
ATTABOTICS’ HOME-GROWN CALGARY SUCCESS HELPS SOLVE GLOBAL LOGISTICS CHALLENGES
November 18, 2022
Inspired by the efficiency and structure of ant colonies, Attabotics co-founder and CEO Scott Gravelle set out to reinvent the supply chain with support from the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF).
ALTAML ONE OF THE TOP GROWING COMPANIES IN CANADA
September 23, 2022
Digital transformation is quickly becoming the largest driver of new solutions and technology investments among Calgary businesses. AltaML, an applied artificial intelligence firm, placed in the Globe and Mail's list of Top Growing Companies for 2022.
LODGELINK: CALGARY TECH STREAMLINES WORKFORCE TRAVEL
July 19, 2022
Calgary-based LodgeLink is disrupting the crew-travel logistics sector in North America with its digital B2B workforce travel platform. With roots in energy, the local company has expanded across sectors and regions, providing businesses with digital workforce travel management tools that save time and money.
OCIF HELPS NEO FINANCIAL BECOME CALGARY’S LATEST UNICORN
May 6, 2022
Neo Financial’s fast-tracked journey to unicorn status in fintech was helped by Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) two years ago through support from business accelerator Harvest Builders.
PUTTING CALGARY ON THE GLOBAL LIFE SCIENCES MAP
April 19, 2022
Calgary is home to many ground-breaking business incubators and accelerators that advance companies at all stages of growth. This is especially true of the Life Sciences Innovation Hub (LSI Hub), located in the University Innovation Quarter on the University of Calgary campus.
UNITY LAUNCHES CALGARY INNOVATION CENTRE
March 30, 2022
Calgary’s growing tech sector is a driver of economic diversification and employment with global companies like gaming and 3D content platform leader Unity Technologies expanding its footprint in the city. Unity unveiled its 25,000 sq. ft. Innovation Centre located in Brookfield Place – a space for creative collisions and industry collaboration.
CALGARY EMERGES AS FINTECH INNOVATION HUB
October 6, 2021
Calgary’s innovation ecosystem is turning out tech startups across diverse sectors. The city’s leadership in tech innovation in industries like energy and agriculture is well known, but what is gaining attention lately is the city’s new-found strength in emerging sectors like fintech.
OCIF ALUM NPOWER SETS COMPANIES, YOUNG CALGARIANS UP FOR SUCCESS
September 8, 2021
One organization that has carved out a niche for itself helping traditionally underserved youth in Calgary to get started in careers in technology is the 2019 Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) funding recipient NPower Canada.
OCIF-FUNDED ALTAML MAKES A CRUCIAL DIFFERENCE FOR CALGARY COMPANIES
April 13, 2021
To help navigate the digital journey, TransAlta is working with AltaML through its Applied AI Lab, a work integrated learning program aimed at closing the gap between technical and applied skills for AI and ML.
SECOND COHORT OF CALGARIANS CELEBRATE NPOWER GRADUATION
January 23, 2020
A group of 32 Calgarians walked the stage, celebrating their successful completion of NPower Canada’s upskilling program. It’s the second cohort to graduate since NPower expanded to Calgary in May 2019, with the support of the City of Calgary and the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund.
NPOWER CANADA GRADUATES FIRST COHORT IN CALGARY
August 29, 2019
Emphatic expressions of new-found optimism about career prospects in the digital economy resonated throughout the graduation ceremony for the first cohort from NPower Canada’s tech training program in Calgary.
Project portfolio
The portfolio of projects supported by OCIF includes investments that support the goals of the economic strategy, Calgary in the New Economy, to embrace innovation and technology to help solve global challenges.
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