News Summary

The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) has introduced a new Express funding stream, investing $3.5 million to support small- and medium-sized businesses in Calgary. This initiative aims to expedite access to capital, enabling companies to complete urgent projects within two years. Supported by a $1.2-million contribution from the Government of Alberta, the fund focuses on job creation and training across various sectors, including fintech, cleantech, and data science. Among the 23 recipients are fintech startup ZayZoon, cleantech firm Carbon Upcycling, and CoolIT Systems, a data centre liquid cooling company. The funding is expected to create over 150 jobs and train approximately 90 individuals. ZayZoon, for example, received $250,000 to expand its platform and hire additional staff. OCIF’s initiative aims to ensure the continued growth and innovation of Calgary’s business ecosystem.