The People: The Builders Behind Calgary’s Tech Momentum

At the centre of every thriving innovation ecosystem is a network of people. Founders who take risks. Operators who scale teams. Investors who back ambition. Community leaders who create space for meaningful connection, collaboration, and partnership.

Platform Calgary believes that no founder should have to build alone. In 2025, the community grew larger, more diverse, and more interconnected than ever before, reflecting Calgary’s position as one of the most dynamic tech communities in the world.

A Growing and Diversifying Founder Community

Platform Calgary’s membership growth tells a powerful story:

• 88 new companies were incorporated in 2025
• 403 new companies have now been formed with support from Platform support since 2022
• Membership grew 39.5% from 2024 (623 to 850+ companies)
  
  

These companies span every stage of growth—from pre-startup individuals exploring their first idea to anchor tenants employing hundreds of people.  Together, they represent a significant portion of the city’s tech landscape.

Founder Story: Mary Llaneta, Hoodo

Mary Llaneta, CEO and Co-Founder of Hoodo, embodies the entrepreneurial spirit shaping Calgary’s tech ecosystem. With a background in nursing and healthcare operations, Mary identified inefficiencies in automotive dealership processes and saw an opportunity to apply a healthcare-inspired approach to customer experience.

Her insight—“Cars are cool, but buying them sucks”—became the foundation for Hoodo.

Through Platform Calgary’s programming, Mary accessed mentorship, community, and investor connections that helped her navigate the transition from idea to execution. She met her first investor through Platform programming and recently completed the Platform Incubator Program, positioning Hoodo for national and U.S. expansion.

Her advice to new founders?

“Action creates action. Being brave is so important. A business can’t grow in a comfort zone.”

Why People Matter Most

A healthy ecosystem requires a constant “top-of-funnel” of new ideas and more risk takers who are brave enough to start something. By providing a community that makes the entrepreneurial journey less daunting, Platform Calgary ensures founders don’t walk the path alone—connecting them to the resources, relationships, and support needed to succeed while strengthening the collaborative network powering Calgary’s next economy.

As Calgary’s tech ecosystem continues to mature, the strength of its people remains its greatest competitive advantage.

Learn more about how you can tap into Platform Membership and become part of this growing community.

👉 Download the full 2025 Platform Calgary Impact Report to explore the insights, impact, and stories behind Calgary’s growing tech ecosystem.

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