Calgary’s tech sector was in the spotlight this week as local companies and entrepreneurs captured seven of 10 honours at the Start Alberta Tech Awards, highlighting a year of major acquisitions, significant investments, and growing innovation.
Held at Studio Bell in Calgary, the awards celebrated technology companies, founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders driving Alberta’s innovation economy.
Among the evening’s biggest winners were CoolIT Systems, recognized for its record-breaking US$4.75-billion acquisition, and PurposeMed, which secured two awards following a major healthcare technology deal of its own.
“These award honourees are building technology that meets real needs for people around the world, and they’re doing it with purpose,” said Tamara Woolgar, Executive Director of A100, a membership-based community of technology founders, executives and investors that operates the Start Alberta platform.
Calgary-based companies and entrepreneurs featured prominently among the winners.
CoolIT Systems Wins Deal of the Year After Record-Breaking Acquisition
Calgary’s CoolIT Systems earned Deal of the Year following its US$4.75-billion acquisition by Ecolab, the largest disclosed exit for an Alberta-headquartered company on record.
Founded in 2001, CoolIT develops advanced liquid cooling technology for AI data centres and other high-performance computing environments.
The transaction also delivered substantial financial rewards to employees. All 650 CoolIT employees participated in the company’s ownership program, receiving payouts ranging from approximately one year to more than eight years of annual pay, depending on tenure.
CoolIT earned national recognition this year, securing a place on The Globe and Mail’s 2026 list of Canada’s Top Growing Companies, which recognizes businesses demonstrating exceptional revenue growth over a three-year period.
“CoolIT is a great example of what’s possible when you bring together Alberta talent, ambition, and the right partners,” said Chief Technology Officer Kamal Mostafavi.
PurposeMed Takes Home Two Awards
PurposeMed was recognized as Anchor of the Year, while its Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Caley Shukalek, received Leader of the Year.
Founded in 2019, PurposeMed has grown into a major virtual healthcare provider, developing specialized services for underserved communities through its Freddie, Frida and Foria platforms.
Shukalek was recently named to Avenue Calgary magazine’s prestigious 2026 Top 40 Under 40 list, recognizing his contributions as a physician, researcher, and healthcare technology leader.
In September, the company announced a US$250-million agreement with Grindr involving its Freddie and Affirming Care Pharmacy businesses, while Frida and Foria are becoming independent entities.
“You can build a real company in Alberta without burning through capital,” said PurposeMed Co-founder and CEO Pete MacLeod. “I’d love to see more founders realize you can do big things and keep talent here.”
Shukalek was recognized for his clinical leadership, which helped expand Freddie’s HIV prevention and care services across Canada and into the U.S.
Helcim Named Scaleup of the Year
Calgary fintech Helcim received Scaleup of the Year following another period of substantial growth.
The payments technology company secured $53 million in Series C financing in August, reaching a valuation of $250 million.
Helcim has surpassed $150 million in annual recurring revenue, serves more than 22,000 active merchants across Canada and the U.S., and continues to expand its workforce and technology platform.
CEO Nic Beique also earned individual recognition this year as a recipient of Business in Calgary magazine’s 2026 Leaders Awards, celebrating outstanding leadership in the city’s business community.
“Alberta is where we started, and Alberta is where we choose to stay,” said Seamus MacIsaac, Chief Operating Officer. “The talent is world class, and the community is generous.”
EnerNode AI Founder Recognized for Early Success
Cheng (Jack) Su, Co-founder of Calgary-based EnerNode AI, received the Most Promising Founder award.
Launched in February 2026, EnerNode AI is developing AI-powered technology to help small and mid-sized oil and gas producers manage wells, land, finances, and day-to-day operations.
The startup has already attracted Western Canadian operators and secured places in the Plug and Play Canada and NVIDIA Inception programs.
“We come from the operating side of the business, and we live through those pain points ourselves,” said Su. “Those are hard problems to solve, and hard problems are rewarding to solve.”
FLORA Fertility Co-Founder Wins Woman in Tech
Dr. Christy Lane, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Calgary-based FLORA Fertility, received the Woman in Tech award.
FLORA offers individually owned fertility insurance designed to provide women with greater financial flexibility when planning for motherhood.
The company raised US$5 million in seed financing in April and is expanding into Canada following its U.S. launch in 2025.
“This is the third technology business that I’ve built in Alberta,” said Lane. “If you’re going to build a business, there’s no better place to do it than here.”
Jade Alberts Honoured for Supporting Calgary Entrepreneurs
Calgary entrepreneur Jade Alberts received the VCAA Rod Charko Service Award for his longstanding contributions to Alberta’s technology ecosystem.
Alberts founded Peer Guidance in 2016 to provide entrepreneurs with experienced business support and mentorship. He also hosts the weekly Founders Coffee gathering, advises startups through Innovate Calgary, and has made more than 30 angel investments.
“I hope that this inspires them to help others, and to give back and pay it forward, because that’s what this award is all about,” said Alberts.
Calgary’s Growing Technology Momentum
Other provincial winners included Graphite Ventures, which maintains teams in Calgary and Edmonton, named Investor of the Year; Edmonton-based NiaHealth, recognized as A100 One to Watch; and Kristina Milke of Sprout Fund, who received Ecosystem Supporter of the Year.
From record-breaking acquisitions and fast-growing fintech companies to emerging AI ventures and healthcare innovation, this year’s winners highlight Calgary’s expanding role in Alberta’s tech economy.
Leave a Reply