Calgary Innovation Week 2026 runs Monday, November 2 through Thursday, November 5 at venues across Calgary, with the Platform Innovation Centre as headquarters. Organized by Platform Calgary and presented for a third year by the University of Calgary, it is described by organizers as the city's largest gathering for tech and entrepreneurship, under the theme "Built Here. Backed Here."
Why you should go
- See the city's startups up close. The Launch Party Top 10, an early watchlist of emerging high-momentum companies, appears at Monday's showcase and again at the closing night.
- Pick sessions that match your stage. Offerings range from Build a Startup in 60 Minutes to Raising Capital 301 and 6 Pathways to Commercialization, hosted by groups including Alberta Innovates and Amii.
- Meet investors and peers. National Bank of Canada hosts an investor and founder reception on Tuesday, and Wednesday's Career Foundry mixer is aimed at people building careers in tech.
- Learn from larger companies. Google for Startups runs Codelabs sessions on Wednesday morning and afternoon.
- It suits the merely curious too. Organizers say the week is open to community members who just want to see what is being built locally.
What is on the Calgary Innovation Week 2026 schedule?
Host organizations run sessions across the city. Monday includes Systems Thinking for Social Innovation at 9 a.m., Amii's Startup Spotlight at 11:30 a.m., the Official Innovation Week Kickoff at 12:30 p.m. and the Top 10 Showcase from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday adds UCalgary 4 YOU at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday brings a Heptix Breakfast Showcase, Google Codelabs and Jumpstart Your Innovation Culture at 2 p.m. Thursday closes with the Launch Party Presented by Float, from 6 to 9 p.m.
What happens at the closing Launch Party?
The 16th annual Calgary Launch Party takes place November 5 at the Platform Innovation Centre. Organizers expect more than 800 founders, technical staff, investors and others to attend. Launch Party was started by founders in 2010.
What to know before you go
Registration for most sessions goes through the Calgary Innovation Week calendar on Luma. Attendees join the calendar once, free, before individual Register buttons work. The site says Launch Party pricing goes up on November 2. Prices for sessions are not listed in the brief, so confirm with Platform Calgary or the event page.
FAQ
When is Calgary Innovation Week 2026?
It runs Monday, November 2 to Thursday, November 5, 2026, at venues across Calgary, with the Platform Innovation Centre as headquarters.
How do I register?
Join the Calgary Innovation Week calendar on Luma for free, then use the Register button on each session. Check with organizers for ticket prices.
