Calgary Economic Development

What Calgary Economic Development does

Calgary Economic Development (CED) is a non-profit, quasi-governmental economic development organization founded in 2002 and headquartered at Fifth Avenue Place in downtown Calgary, Alberta. As the designated economic development agency for the City of Calgary—its parent entity—CED works with municipal, provincial, and federal government partners to position Calgary as a destination for business investment, talent attraction, and trade. Its operational mandate spans ten key industries: aerospace, agribusiness, defence, digital and creative, energy and environment, film and television, financial services, health and life sciences, technology, and transportation and logistics.

CED delivers its services free of charge to businesses, funded primarily through City of Calgary allocations supplemented by grants from the Government of Alberta, the Federal Government of Canada, and partners such as Prairies Economic Development Canada. Its core service lines are Real Estate (site selection, broker connections, permits), Talent (workforce data, immigration navigation, post-secondary connections), and Global Trade (trade missions, export planning, market access), supported by the Trade Accelerator Program, Incentive Wayfinding, and Ecosystem Connectivity services. The organization distributes services through direct engagement by sector-specialized business development staff, a multi-tier Team Calgary Partner Network, and post-secondary partnerships with institutions including the University of Calgary, SAIT, Mount Royal University, and Bow Valley College.

The business model is fundamentally public-sector: CED does not charge for its services and generates no commercial revenue. Instead, it monetizes outcomes through government funding tied to measurable ecosystem results—$341M in venture capital across 43 deals in the first three quarters of 2025, 45 international trade deals generating $50M+ in revenue across 21 countries, $800M in expected FDI from federal technology investments, and over 1,000 jobs targeted through technology support initiatives. CED also operates or is affiliated with sub-brands including Team Calgary, the Trade Accelerator Program, the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund, the Calgary Film Commission, and Uplook (Calgary's economic action plan). The organization is governed by a board of business leaders and led by President and CEO Brad Parry with a senior team spanning Communications, Trade, Business Development, People & Culture, and Intelligence functions.

Name

Calgary Economic Development

Legal name

Calgary Economic Development

Website

https://calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Calgary Economic Development is a non-profit, City of Calgary-funded economic development organization that provides free real estate, talent, and trade services to businesses establishing or expanding in Calgary across ten key industries, supported by government grants and the Team Calgary partner network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Administration of General Economic Programs (92611), Administration of Economic Programs (926)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Economic Growth, Trade & Private Sector Development Programs (BPADABAF), Technical Cooperation, Capacity Building & Policy Advisory Programs (BPADABAO)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Business attraction services
• Site selection support
• Trade acceleration programs
• Talent immigration navigation

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Economic Development Services: As a quasi-governmental economic development organization, Calgary Economic Development operates as a free public service funded by municipal and provincial government allocations. They do not charge businesses for their services including site selection, talent connections, trade support, and real estate assistance. Their revenue comes from government funding rather than commercial revenue streams.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Calgary Economic Development is a non-profit, quasi-governmental economic development organization that provides free services to businesses seeking to establish, expand, or relocate operations in Calgary. Core services include real estate site selection, talent connections and immigration navigation, global trade support including trade missions, and the four-phase Trade Accelerator Program. The organization serves as a central hub connecting businesses to Calgary's broader ecosystem including post-secondary institutions, accelerators, government programs, and industry partners.

Product overview

Calgary Economic Development (CED) operates as an economic development organization providing a unified suite of business support services rather than a traditional product platform. The core services include Real Estate Services (site selection, permits, and broker connections), Talent Services (workforce connections and immigration navigation), Global Trade Services (export assistance and trade missions), and the Trade Accelerator Program. Supporting services include Incentive Wayfinding and Ecosystem Connectivity, which connect businesses to funding organizations, partners, post-secondary institutions, and government programs. Together, these services help businesses at every stage of growth to scale with confidence in the Calgary region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Team Calgary: Corporate partnership program connecting businesses with Calgary's economic development initiatives
• Trade Accelerator Program
• Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund
• Calgary Film Commission
• Uplook

Products and services

• Real Estate Services Site selection, real estate data and insights, connection to local brokers, and assistance with permits and licenses for businesses establishing or expanding in Calgary.
• Talent Services Workforce data and insights, immigration navigation, and connections to Calgary's deep talent pool through its innovation ecosystem and post-secondary institutions.
• Global Trade Services Export assistance including trade missions, export-focused learning opportunities, market access support, and connections to international buyers and partners.
• Trade Accelerator Program A four-phase initiative designed to accelerate strategic development of businesses and prepare them for expansion into international markets, offering coaching, expert connections, and market-specific export planning.
• Incentive Wayfinding Introduction to funding organizations and keeping businesses informed about available grants and incentives for growth.
• Ecosystem Connectivity Connections to Team Calgary partners, post-secondary institutions, government programs, industry associations, and accelerators.
• Immigration Support Immigration wayfinding, referrals to legal partners, Global Talent Stream and Dedicated Service Channel connections, and talent attraction missions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 61% tech job growth since 2021, ranked #1 in North America
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, champion, visionary, influencer, connector and supporter.

• AgSphere (Olds College Partnership)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2025Calgary Economic Development partnered with Olds College to create AgSphere, an agricultural hub at the Stampede grounds in Calgary. The hub connects investors and entrepreneurs with technologies including AI, sensors, drones, and gene editing, offering testing and training services. Supported by Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund with planned investment of up to $2.75 million over five years.
• Calgary-Olds Agri-Food CorridorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between Calgary Economic Development and Olds College of Agriculture & Technology that leverages Calgary's global corporate presence and distribution hub with the college's Smart Farm applied research and integrated learning facility. Companies and entrepreneurs have access to a world-class agribusiness environment supporting development and scaling of new technologies.
• TELUSchampionStrategic or Co-development PartnerTELUS is a Champion-level Team Calgary partner for 15+ years. As a global leader in telecommunications and technology solutions, TELUS empowers businesses to thrive in a digital world and supports economic development initiatives.
• WestJetvisionaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerWestJet is a Visionary-level Team Calgary partner for 10 years. Founded in 1996 in Calgary, WestJet is intent on being one of the five most successful international airlines, providing friendly caring experiences that change air travel.
• ATB FinancialinfluencerStrategic or Co-development PartnerATB Financial is an Influencer-level Team Calgary partner for 15 years. They support the success of Alberta entrepreneurs with dedicated experts, innovative solutions, and understanding of Alberta business.
• University of CalgaryconnectorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Calgary is a Connector-level Team Calgary partner. As a major research institution, they provide talent pipeline, research capabilities, and innovation ecosystem support for Calgary businesses.
• SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology)connectorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAIT is a Connector-level Team Calgary partner providing workforce development, applied research, and technical training for Calgary businesses across sectors.
• Platform CalgarysupporterStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatform Calgary is a Supporter-level Team Calgary partner. A non-profit that brings together resources of Calgary's tech ecosystem to help startups launch and grow.
• Innovate CalgarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovate Calgary operates the Aerospace Innovation Hub and provides startups access to accelerator programs, lab space, industry partnerships, and commercialization support.
• Calgary Airport AuthorityconnectorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalgary Airport Authority is a Connector-level partner operating YYC Calgary International Airport, one of Canada's largest air cargo gateways handling 75% of Alberta's air cargo.
• Bow Valley CollegeconnectorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBow Valley College is a Connector-level Team Calgary partner providing upskilling, career-focused certificates, and supply chain management programs.
• Mount Royal UniversityconnectorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMount Royal University is a Connector-level Team Calgary partner offering bachelor's degrees in data science, computer science, aviation management, and supply chain management.
• Government of AlbertacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment of Alberta invested $2.8 million to expand Calgary Economic Development's Trade Accelerator Program and provides ongoing funding for economic development initiatives.
• Federal Government of CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal government announced over $6.1 million in investments to support Calgary's small and medium-sized technology firms, establishing a Technology Integration Centre and boosting international investment activities.
• City of CalgarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Calgary works with Calgary Economic Development on economic strategy, downtown development ($325M investment), and business-friendly initiatives.
• Calgary Chamber of CommercesupporterStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalgary Chamber of Commerce is a Supporter-level Team Calgary partner representing and supporting the Calgary business community.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Choose Chicago: Chicago's destination and economic development organization promoting tourism, meetings, and business investment. Comparable in mid-sized city EDO role and corporate partnership model, though more weighted to tourism.
• Greater Houston Partnership: Houston's regional economic development organization promoting business investment and growth across the Houston region. Strongly comparable given both cities' energy-sector anchors, free service model, and corporate partnership network.
• Montréal International: Montreal's economic development agency supporting foreign direct investment, talent attraction, and international organizations. Highly comparable as a Canadian city-level EDO with similar service portfolio (investment attraction, talent, trade missions).
• Toronto Global: Toronto's regional economic development agency offering site selection, talent, and trade/investment attraction services for the Toronto Region. Directly comparable as a Canadian municipal/regional EDO providing free business advisory and FDI attraction.
• Metro Atlanta Chamber: Regional chamber and economic development organization driving business recruitment, talent, and policy advocacy in metro Atlanta. Comparable in member/partnership-driven EDO model and corporate stakeholder engagement.
• Vancouver Economic Commission: City of Vancouver's economic development agency focusing on investment attraction, talent, and sector development (cleantech, digital, creative). Directly comparable in mandate, service mix, and city-level scope.
• Invest Atlanta: City of Atlanta's economic development authority supporting business attraction, expansion, and small business growth. Directly comparable as a city-mandated EDO with incentives, real estate, and talent functions.

Broad incumbents

• Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB): Singapore's lead government agency for investment promotion and industrial development. Comparable in mission (FDI attraction, sector development, trade) but operates as a national agency with much larger resources and policy levers than a city-level EDO like CED.
• NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC): Large-scale municipal economic development corporation driving investment, jobs, and real estate across New York City. Comparable as a city-level EDO, but operates at materially greater scale with direct real-estate development capabilities CED does not have.
• London & Partners: London's growth and destination agency attracting investment, visitors, and students. Directly comparable in mandate and partnership-driven model, but serves a much larger global brand and budget.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/calgaryeconomic
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/calgaryeconomicdev
• Facebookfacebook.com/calgaryeconomic
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/51493
• Instagraminstagram.com/lifeincalgary

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Calgary Economic Development