The Place: How the Platform Innovation Centre Powers Calgary’s Tech Ecosystem

The Platform Innovation Centre is the “front door” to Calgary’s tech ecosystem—a 55,000 square foot hub where partners, founders, investors, and community leaders collide to build Calgary’s future.

More than a building, the Centre serves as essential infrastructure for a growing innovation economy. It is a neutral ground where startups engage with established industries, investors connect directly with founders, and community organizations gather to move ideas forward.

In 2025, the Centre hit its stride as a vital nexus for connection and collaboration.

A Magnet for Community

Since opening in 2022, the Platform Innovation Centre has become a high-energy gathering point for Calgary’s innovation ecosystem:

• 376,000+ total visitors since opening
• 172,502 visitors in 2025 alone (a 762.5% increase since 2022)
• 3,596 space bookings in 2025 (a 106.7% increase since 2022)

The Centre is home to flagship initiatives like Calgary Innovation Week, Community Connect, and the Tech Stampede Social, creating high-energy connection points for the entire city.

People Power: Community as Infrastructure

Community scale is made possible by people.

In 2025, 400+ volunteers supported events at the Platform Innovation Centre. These volunteers—including many newcomers and students with technical skills—also supported partner-hosted events across the ecosystem.

Through volunteering, participants build their networks, develop their skills, contribute to their resumes, and demonstrate their passion for Calgary’s innovation community.

Capital Access: Reducing the Distance Between Founders and Investors

Access to capital is one of the most critical levers for ecosystem growth.

The National Bank Investor Hub, located within the Innovation Centre, serves as a centralized access point for investors to engage directly with Calgary’s tech community.

Since 2022, Platform Calgary has engaged over 350 investors and 400 founders through targeted programming and networking.

In 2025, investor development efforts focused on two things: educating new investors and preparing founders to be capital-ready. By streamlining deal flow and improving funding literacy, the Hub is not just creating meetings — it is strengthening Calgary’s venture infrastructure.

Industry Collaboration: Where Corporates and Startups Meet

One of the Innovation Centre’s most strategic roles is acting as a neutral ground where established enterprises can engage with emerging tech.

In 2025, this was evident through initiatives like the PropTech Showcase and the Trimac Innovation Summit.

The Trimac Innovation Summit is a clear example of what intentional collaboration looks like. Eleven Platform member companies pitched real-world solutions to Trimac’s executive leadership, partners, and customers — tackling operational challenges like predictive maintenance, billing accuracy, and process automation.

The outcomes were tangible:

• 50% of pitching companies were invited for immediate deep-dive discussions
• One customer moved forward with trials

This isn’t just networking. It’s implementation.

When corporates and startups meet on structured, neutral ground, digital transformation becomes practical rather than theoretical. The Centre makes those collisions possible — and productive.

Ecosystem Enablement: Lowering Barriers So Others Can Build

Strong ecosystems are not just built through headline events — they are sustained through consistent, behind-the-scenes support.

Platform Calgary plays a critical curatorial role by providing essential infrastructure for community groups and non-profits to gather, ideate, and grow. The Innovation Centre acts as a stable, welcoming home base for organizations that strengthen Calgary’s tech landscape.

In 2025:

• 75+ non-profit partners relied on the Centre for convening
• That represents a 400% increase since 2022
• Since 2023, over $2,072,223 in donated rental space value has been provided
  
  

This investment is intentional. By lowering barriers to entry, Platform Calgary ensures innovation remains accessible and community-driven — not limited by access to space or resources.

A powerful example is the Calgary Game Developers Association (CGDA). For an organization that prioritizes free or low-cost participation, access to a stable venue is transformative. Through the Platform Innovation Centre, CGDA found not just space, but a platform to scale its impact — supporting a growing network of gaming studios ranging from emerging creators to established companies.

As Brett Miller, Vice-President of CGDA, shared:

“This is about building an international gaming hub right here in Calgary, creating thousands of jobs and driving millions of dollars of economic impact. Together with partners like Platform Calgary, we’re making that a reality.”

More Than a Building

The Platform Innovation Centre is more than a physical address. It is ecosystem infrastructure. It is neutral ground. It is where founders take first steps and where scaling companies find strategic partners.

It is where:

• Newcomers build networks
• Students meet employers
• Corporates solve industry challenges
• Investors discover the next breakout company
  
  

As Calgary’s tech ecosystem continues to grow, the strength of “The Place” remains foundational to the strength of the ecosystem itself.

Learn more about how to book space at the Platform Innovation Centre and access the front door to Calgary’s tech ecosystem. 

👉 Discover the full impact of the Platform Innovation Centre in the 2025 Platform Calgary Impact Report.

‍