Calgary’s drive to lead Canada’s energy transition is getting a major boost with more than $10 million invested into the ETC Foundation to expand its facilities and programming.
The investment is backed by the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) alongside PrairiesCan, Alberta Innovates, CIBC, Avatar Innovations, and Pathways Alliance, reinforcing Calgary’s reputation as both the energy capital of Canada and a hub for energy innovation.
At the heart of the expansion is a new 17,000-square-foot flexible workspace in downtown Calgary, designed to foster collaboration among low-emission energy startups, ecosystem partners, and investors. The ETC Foundation will also scale its programming with structured educational courses, industry workshops, and hands-on training tailored for graduate students, PhDs, and professionals seeking to upskill.
OCIF’s investment is expected to train up to 60 individuals, support 30 local companies, and incubate 10 new ventures for commercialization over the next four years.
“Avatar was proud to help lead the creation of the ETC Foundation and continues to support it as a delivery partner through our world-class programming that equips entrepreneurs and industry professionals with the tools and funding to build the future of energy,” said Kevin Krausert, CEO & Co-founder of Avatar Innovations.
“As the tides of global energy investment are changing, Calgary is uniquely poised to lead this transformation — with the ETC Foundation at the heart of connecting innovators, investors, and industry to ensure Canada remains a global energy leader.”
The investment builds on OCIF’s original 2022 funding commitment that launched the ETC through Avatar Innovations. Over that three-year initiative, the ETC supported more than 60 startups, which collectively raised over $500 million in venture capital.
The Alberta Energy Transition Study found that a low-carbon economy could generate nearly 170,000 jobs and contribute $61 billion to provincial GDP by 2050 — a signal of the stakes involved in accelerating innovation.
“Our energy sector in our community was, and continues to be, built by innovators and doers, driven by an entrepreneurial spirit that is second to none,” said Brad Parry, CEO of OCIF and President and CEO of Calgary Economic Development. “This investment by OCIF will help fuel local startups to find technological solutions that will power a low-carbon economy and secure economic prosperity for generations to come.”
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