Platform Calgary

Happening now! 🎉 Celebrating Blackline Safety's 20th anniversary, a true Calgary success story! From its roots right here in our city, Blackline has grown to $128M in revenue, with 400+ employees in Calgary and a presence in over 75 countries. 🌍 Congratulations to the Blackline Safety team! As Calgary continues to thrive as a tech hub, it’s inspiring to see local companies like Blackline Safety continue to shape our Blue Sky City innovation story. #CalgaryTechStory #Innovation #yycTech #startups

"The impossible just takes longer." This powerful insight from Imad Jebara, CEO of Boast, really struck a chord with startup founders and CEOs in the room. Imad shared Boast’s journey from its humble beginnings in Calgary to scaling into a global powerhouse, emphasizing that scaling a company takes time, persistence, and—most importantly—the right team and systems. Missed our Community Connect event today? Catch up on the highlights! At the event, Imad highlighted the key strategies that helped Boast scale, including building a strong leadership team and focusing on systems before attempting to scale. His message was clear: with the right foundation, the seemingly impossible can become achievable. Special thank you to Imad Jebara Golnaz Raoufi, MBA Kyla Mireault from Boast for their invaluable partnership and and steadfast support of the Calgary tech ecosystem. Your contributions are not only helping drive growth and innovation within our community but also providing crucial insights for other local startups. Thank you to all who joined us today. We'll see you at the next Community Connect in March. Karam-Ali Talakshi Jennifer Lussier Terry Rock Nora Rudenko Kim Aban Erinne Clarke Meagan Shultz Gill Co Taylor Clapp Ian Macdonald Bilal Rasool Madeline Kendrew #CommunityConnect #BoastAI #CalgaryTech #yycTech #StartupGrowth #Leadership #ScalingSuccess

Meet Justin Kudding, Platform Incubator alum and CEO of Plunge Audio! Plunge Audio is redefining how musicians and music lovers experience sound—capturing the quality of custom in-ear monitors in a universal fit format. For Justin, the Platform Incubator was more than just a program, it was a space to build meaningful connections, gain valuable coaching, and navigate the challenges of growing a startup with a strong support system. The ability to share struggles, get real feedback, and stay in the right mindset made all the difference in his journey. Entrepreneurship isn’t meant to be done alone. If you’re seeking to grow alongside a community, apply to the Platform Incubator. Applications for the April cohort close tomorrow! Learn more and take the next step today—https://lnkd.in/g7yw9beQ #TechStartups #FounderJourney #PlatformIncubator #Entrepreneurship #yycTech

Final Call for Applications! Applications for Platform Incubator close February 23rd (just 2 days away)! ⏳ Building a successful business is a journey filled with challenges - it requires specific skills, support, and strategies. Through the Platform Incubator Program, you'll get: ✅ Personalized support from experienced Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EiRs) who have firsthand experience in launching and scaling businesses ✅ A collaborative environment with peer learning, where you can connect with like-minded founders and share insights ✅ Direct access to industry professionals and resources to help you refine your strategy and make informed decisions Platform Incubator is designed to empower founders to build sustainable businesses through continuous learning, strong networks, and tailored support—ensuring long-term success for startups in Calgary and beyond. Apply by February 23rd for spring cohort. #entrepreneurship #startups #businessgrowth #startupincubator #founders #yycTech #startupcommunity

What’s Changing in the SR&ED Program?  The Government of Canada announced key reforms to modernize SR&ED, aiming to streamline compliance, enhance transparency, and better support innovation. ✅ Stronger CRA oversight ✅ Refined eligibility criteria ✅ New industry priorities ✅ Potential tax credit adjustments What does this mean for Calgary’s tech & innovation ecosystem? In a partner blog takeover, Golnaz Raoufi, MBA at Boast shares in depth what exactly is changing, what actions startups can take with these changes, and how they secure the funding they deserve. 👀 Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/gpVavr7K #yycTech #startup #raisingcapital #taxincentive

Meet Amit Bhargava, M.Sc., P. Eng., Co-Founder and CEO of EnviroApps and a proud Platform Incubator alum! Amit and his team are simplifying dangerous goods shipping compliance, cutting emergency response times from 30+ minutes to under 3 minutes. In this video, Amit shares what inspired EnviroApps and the impact of mentorship, peer support, and connections have had on the company, and what’s next for his team. Is your startup ready to take the next step? Applications for April’s cohort close February 23rd! Visit our website to learn more: https://lnkd.in/g7yw9beQ #TechStartups #yycTech #FounderJourney #PlatformIncubator #Entrepreneurship

 Meet Platform Incubator Alumn, Bukky Wonda, founder and CEO of Shirah! Shirah provides a personalized solution for individuals seeking to study, work, or establish permanent residency in Canada. Through the Platform Incubator, Bukky developed valuable connections that supported her business growth and guided her through the startup ecosystem. The Platform Incubator helps high-potential startups scale with 12 months of structured guidance, coaching, and industry connections to accelerate their growth. Applications for the April cohort close February 23rd! Learn more and apply today: https://lnkd.in/g7yw9beQ #TechStartups #FounderJourney #PlatformIncubator #Entrepreneurship #ImmigrationTech #yycTech

🚀 Are you looking to upskill to accelerate your tech career? Join us for Tech Talent Tuesdays: Education Opportunities on February 18th. 📢 Featuring: 🔹 Dan Olesen – Apprenticeship Program Lead, Bow Valley College Dan is an educator, community builder, and career mentor passionate about hands-on learning. He helps students access apprenticeship opportunities and guides professionals in navigating career transitions within Calgary’s tech ecosystem. 🔹 Renee Matsalla – Cofounder & CEO, Tacit Edge Renee transitioned from marketing to product management, notably at Benevity, before co-founding Tacit Edge to empower future product leaders in AI and tech. A recognized leader in Calgary’s business community, she was named one of the city’s Top 40 Under 40. 🔹 Guy Levesque – Executive Director, Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking - UCalgary With experience in academia, entrepreneurship, and corporate leadership, Guy drives innovation at the Hunter Hub. He leads programs that equip professionals with the skills to launch ventures, from community initiatives to billion-dollar companies. Dan, Renee and Guy, will share stories of unconventional paths into tech. They'll also share opportunities to connect with their programming, helping you upskill and advance in your career. Expect actionable insights, Q&A, networking, and snacks! 📅 Save your spot! RSVP now. https://lnkd.in/gBTEgysr #TechTalentTuesdays #yycTech #Networking #CareerGrowth #TechCommunity

For many startups, choosing the right workplace model—remote, hybrid, or in-office—can be a game-changer for innovation, culture, and growth. Understanding the impact of these decisions is more important than ever for founders looking to scale. In a partner blog takeover, Déborah Vancrunkelsven, Senior Associate at TEEMA , explores why many global tech leaders are leaning into hybrid work—and how Calgary startups can apply these insights to build stronger teams. 💡 Key takeaways: ✅ Hybrid work fosters collaboration, trust, and innovation. ✅ In-person interactions strengthen mentorship and problem-solving. ✅ A thoughtful workplace strategy can help attract and retain top talent. 📖 Read the full blog: https://loom.ly/JUsiGGg How is your team approaching the hybrid vs. remote debate? Join the conversation in the comments! 👇 #YYCTech #StartupSuccess #HybridWork #TalentStrategy #Calgary

Another Tech Talent Tuesday in the books! 🎉 Yesterday, we heard from three speakers, well known for their community-building initiatives, who shared their unique paths into tech, proving there’s no single route to success in this industry. What were the key takeaways? 📌 Curiosity Drives Growth - Benjamin Reeves , SVP in Data Science, transitioned from Materials Engineering to tech by following his passion for software development. His journey highlighted the value of continuous learning and leaning into the sometimes discomfort of meeting new people when it comes to networking and engaging with the community. Make sure to check out #YYCDataCon2025 in February. 📌 Reskilling Opens Doors – Dave Murray , Outreach Coordinator at ICTC-CTIC , made the jump from oil & gas to tech, leveraging reskilling programs to build a new career. His story underscores the importance of accessible training programs that help bridge talent gaps—a key insight for startups looking to hire from non-traditional backgrounds. 📌 Community Matters – Luis Berumen , Lead Designer at Enbridge, shared his experience immigrating to Canada and advancing in UX design. His work with Calgary UX shows how strong professional communities can support career growth and help startups connect with top local talent. Don’t miss UX Camp in March for more opportunities to engage! 💡 Tips for Startups? ✔️ Tap into diverse talent pools – Great hires can come from unconventional backgrounds. ✔️ Support career transitions – Reskilling programs help build a robust tech workforce. ✔️ Engage with local communities – Networking and industry events strengthen hiring pipelines. A huge thank you to Ben, Dave, and Luis for sharing their journeys and insights! If you missed this session, join us and host Zachary Novak next week for the 3rd edition of Tech Talent Tuesdays on Feb 18. What career lessons or hiring insights stood out to you? Drop your thoughts in the comments! ⬇️ #TechTalentTuesdays #YYCTech #CareerGrowth #techtalent #CommunityConnections