Press & facts
Calgary Innovation Week and Launch Party
The key facts in one place, for media, partners and anyone curious. Updated October 2026.
Calgary Innovation Week is a city-wide week of talks, tours, workshops and showcases, November 2 to 5, 2026. Produced by Platform Calgary and presented by the University of Calgary, it brings founders, investors and companies together to show what's built and backed in Calgary. It closes with Launch Party on November 5.
Media: communications@platformcalgary.com · Sponsorship: partnerships@platformcalgary.com
Calgary Innovation Week
A city-wide week of talks, tours, workshops, meetups and showcases that brings Calgary's founders, investors, companies and community organizations together to show what's built and backed here.
- Dates
- November 2 to 5, 2026
- Where
- Venues across Calgary, with many events at Platform Innovation Centre, 407 9 Ave SE
- Produced by
- Platform Calgary, a non-profit and the front door to Calgary's innovation ecosystem
- Presenting sponsor
- University of Calgary
- Cost
- Most events are free
- Register
- Join the free Calgary Innovation Week calendar on Luma, then register for individual events
- Full schedule
- Event Calendar
- Host an event
- Host an Event
2025 by the numbers
Launch Party
Calgary's annual startup party and the closing night of Calgary Innovation Week. Since 2010, founders, alumni and the wider community have come together to recognize new companies early and celebrate the people behind them.
- Date
- Thursday, November 5, 2026, 6 to 9 PM
- Where
- Platform Innovation Centre, 407 9 Ave SE, Calgary
- Presented by
- Float
- Attendance
- 1,000+ founders, investors, operators, tech workers and community members
- Tickets
- $47.76 general admission, rising to $50 on November 2. Food included. Get tickets
- More
- Launch Party page
Launch Party Top 10
Each year, ten early-stage Calgary startups are named to the Launch Party Top 10 through community nominations and review by a selection committee of community leaders, Launch Party alumni and ecosystem partners.
- 2026 presenting sponsor
- Alberta Innovates
- Program partner
- METI Ventures Studio (MVS)
- 2026 finalists
- Agrivanna, Black Owl Systems, Candidly AI, Fledge, Leeg, Made It Legal, Paradigm Inputs, Splice N Connect, Verano.AI and Waypoint Budget
- Top 10 Showcase
- Monday, November 2, 2026, 4 to 7 PM, Platform Innovation Centre. Register
- 2026 awards
- Startup of the Year Award (Amii), Alex Raczenko Pitch Award (Cumberland Private Wealth), Alumni's Choice Award (Blackline Safety), Ecosystem Award (University of Alberta), Sponsor's Choice Award (Global Public Affairs). Winners are announced at the Top 10 Showcase.
- Alumni
- More than 150 startups since 2010, including SkipTheDishes (acquired by Just Eat), GNS3 (acquired by SolarWinds) and NewHomeListingService (acquired by Constellation HomeBuilder Systems)
- More
- Meet the 2026 Top 10 and every Top 10 since 2010
2026 sponsors
- Presenting sponsors
- University of Calgary (Calgary Innovation Week), Float (Launch Party)
- Top 10
- Alberta Innovates (presenting sponsor), METI Ventures Studio (program partner)
- Launch Party
- Google Cloud (VIP reception), Visionary Catering (official food sponsor)
- Top 10 awards
- Amii, Cumberland Private Wealth, Blackline Safety, University of Alberta, Global Public Affairs
- Supporting sponsors
- AccessHR, Alberta Enterprise Corporation, Arcurve, ATB, Bow Valley College, Buzz Worthy, Caravel Law, Inovia Capital, Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at MRU, Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund, SSRIA
- Platform Calgary corporate partners
- Boast, Fasken, KPMG, National Bank, zerotoone Strategic
- Become a sponsor
- Sponsorship opportunities
Questions
Calgary Innovation Week
What is Calgary Innovation Week?
A city-wide week of talks, tours, workshops, meetups and showcases that brings Calgary's innovation community together. It's produced by Platform Calgary and presented by the University of Calgary.
When is Calgary Innovation Week 2026?
Monday, November 2 to Thursday, November 5, 2026.
Where do events happen?
All over Calgary. Many events are at Platform Innovation Centre, 407 9 Ave SE, and partners host others across the city. Each event listing shows its location.
How much does it cost?
Most events are free. Some, like Launch Party on November 5, need a paid ticket.
How do I register for events?
Join the free Calgary Innovation Week calendar on Luma, then register for each event you want to attend.
What are the main events?
The Launch Party Top 10 Showcase on November 2, Built in Calgary and Startup Spotlight during the week, and Launch Party, presented by Float, on November 5.
Can I host an event?
Yes. Community organizations, companies and founders can host events as part of Calgary Innovation Week. Apply on the Host an Event page.
Launch Party
When and where is Launch Party 2026?
Thursday, November 5, 2026, from 6 to 9 PM at Platform Innovation Centre, 407 9 Ave SE, Calgary. It's the closing night of Calgary Innovation Week.
How much are tickets?
General admission is $47.76 and goes up to $50 on November 2. Groups of 10 or more get 10% off. Tickets are non-refundable but transferable. Get tickets.
Is food included?
Yes. Every ticket includes food.
Who goes to Launch Party?
More than 1,000 founders, investors, operators, tech workers and people curious about what's being built in Calgary.
Who presents Launch Party?
Launch Party 2026 is presented by Float and produced by Platform Calgary.
Launch Party Top 10
What is the Launch Party Top 10?
Ten early-stage Calgary startups named each year through community nominations and expert review. More than 150 startups have been named since 2010, including SkipTheDishes, GNS3 and NewHomeListingService, which were later acquired.
How are the Top 10 chosen?
Startups are nominated by the community, then reviewed by a selection committee of community leaders, Launch Party alumni and ecosystem partners. They look for resilient founders whose companies solve real problems for the people and industries that drive Calgary.
Who are the 2026 Top 10?
Agrivanna, Black Owl Systems, Candidly AI, Fledge, Leeg, Made It Legal, Paradigm Inputs, Splice N Connect, Verano.AI and Waypoint Budget. Watch their videos.
What are the 2026 Top 10 awards?
The Startup of the Year Award (presented by Amii), the Alex Raczenko Pitch Award (Cumberland Private Wealth), the Alumni's Choice Award (Blackline Safety), the Ecosystem Award (University of Alberta) and the Sponsor's Choice Award (Global Public Affairs).
When are the awards announced?
At the Launch Party Top 10 Showcase, Monday, November 2, 2026, 4 to 7 PM at Platform Innovation Centre. Register.