Calgary Small Business Week is an annual celebration of the small-and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) that are creating jobs, strengthening our economy and making our city a great place to live.
In 2025, Calgary was home to more than 57,000 SMEs with fewer than 200 employees. These businesses reflect Calgary's entrepreneurial spirit and play a critical role in shaping our economic future.
To help more local SMEs hire and grow faster, the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) Express program was launched — providing quicker access to capital and giving businesses the tools to develop Calgary's future-ready workforce.
As we celebrate Small Business Week, we’re taking a look back at some of the innovative Calgary SMEs supported by OCIF Express funding.
MRO Electronics: Rethinking recruitment for advanced manufacturing
MRO Electronics is a Calgary-based manufacturer providing custom electronic solutions for a range of industries, including defence and aerospace. As the family-owned business expanded into new markets, OCIF Express funding helped MRO strengthen its recruitment strategy and attract top talent to support future growth.
Read more here.
Carbon Upcycling: Advancing clean tech innovation
Carbon Upcycling uses groundbreaking technology to convert carbon emissions and industrial waste byproducts into valuable, local materials for low-carbon cement production. The company accessed OCIF Express funding to help build a leadership team ready to take its carbon utilization technology to global markets.
Read Carbon Upcycling's story here.
Virtuo: Streamlining the homeownership journey
Calgary-based Virtuo is making it easier for people to get into their homes by leveraging smart technology and strategic partnerships. Backed by OCIF support, the company is expanding its platform and team to simplify how Canadians manage one of life’s biggest milestones: owning a home.
Read the full story here.
Ultimarii: Fast-tracking the regulatory process with AI
When it comes to building the future, speed matters. Ultimarii, a Calgary startup, is using artificial intelligence to streamline how major infrastructure projects are planned and approved. With support from OCIF Express, the company added key talent to drive AI initiatives to accelerate growth and expand its impact across Canada.
Learn more about Ultimarii here.
OneVest: Expanding Calgary footprint with OCIF support
Innovative companies continue to see Calgary as a launchpad for growth. Among them is OneVest, a fast-growing fintech company transforming how wealth management firms operate while expanding its Calgary footprint.
Read more here.
H2Safety: Modernizing emergency preparedness with data
For more than 20 years, H2Safety has been helping companies, and now communities, prepare for and manage emergencies. With support from OCIF Express, the company is accelerating its transformation into a data-driven business while creating high-skill jobs in Calgary.
Read more about H2Safety here.
Explore more companies supported through the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund's Express portfolio here.