Boosting Alberta’s Defence: What It Means for Calgary
Calgarians are set to see a significant boost in the local tech scene, thanks to a fresh federal investment aimed at supercharging Alberta’s defence industry. Announced on October 23, 2025, this strategic move injects $2 million into ConvergX Global Solutions Foundation (ConvergX). The goal? To help small and medium-sized businesses fast-track the commercialization of homegrown defence technologies.
This funding will launch the ConvergX Xpand Commercialization Zone (Xpand), providing crucial services like technology testing, validation, and export readiness training. This is a game-changer for local innovators looking to bring their defence-related products to market. What’s exciting is that many of these defence technologies often have "dual-use" applications, meaning they can also benefit sectors like energy, agriculture, and artificial intelligence, expanding their impact across the economy.
The investment aligns perfectly with Calgary’s undeniable momentum as a tech and innovation powerhouse. Our city has topped North America in tech job growth for two years running, with the tech workforce expanding by over 61% between 2021 and 2024, adding 24,500 jobs. The tech sector now accounts for 7.9% of Calgary's economy, well above the continental average. Our vibrant startup ecosystem continues to attract significant venture capital, topping $600 million for four straight years in Alberta.
This federal support is poised to solidify Calgary’s position as a leading player in high-tech industries, fostering job creation and advanced technological development. It reinforces our city's spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation, ensuring local startups and established companies can thrive and contribute to a more diverse and resilient economy.
This one comes to us from the Government of Canada. Get more info at the source: https://www.canada.ca/en/prairies-economic-development/news/2025/10/government-of-canada-making-strategic-investments-to-grow-albertas-defence-industry.html