Calgary Economic Development Launches New Trade Program to Boost Local Businesses

Calgary Economic Development (CED) and the Government of Alberta have launched a new initiative called Level Up, aimed at aiding Alberta businesses in growing their trade activity in new markets. The program is funded by the Government of Alberta and delivered by CED, offering on-demand online learning, expert workshops, and one-on-one mentoring. CED's president and CEO, Brad Parry, emphasized that Level Up aims to give Alberta companies a clearer path forward to accelerate their international expansion, which also strengthens the local economy.

Matthew Lowe, CEO and Founder of ZeroKey, highlighted the success of the Trade Accelerator Program (TAP), which helped the company reach international customers faster than expected. Level Up, he believes, will continue to push the local economy forward by enabling more Alberta companies to bring local innovation to the global stage.

The Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration stated that Alberta businesses play a crucial role in the province's ability to compete on a global stage, and the government is investing in programs to help these businesses reach new markets and grow their exports.

The program is available to businesses across all sectors in Alberta, with CED reporting that in 2025, they helped local businesses secure 45 trade deals generating $60 million in trade revenue across 21 countries on six continents.