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CIC Membership

Now is your chance to define your role in the ecosystem!

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The CIC is only as strong as the clarity of its parts. As we move into this new era, we invite you to select the membership group that most accurately reflects your organization’s current focus and how your organization works within the Calgary region ecosystem. 
 

Founder: Select this group if you are a Local (Calgary and area), early stage technology and knowledge based businesses driving daily innovation, and engaging directly with the communities we serve.
 

  • Key focus: An entrepreneur building a business in the innovation space.
     

Member: Select this group if you are an active practitioner on the front lines. Members are the engines of the CIC, delivering direct services, implementing innovative programs, and engaging with the community daily to solve immediate challenges. (Non-profits, Post-Secondary Institutions, Economic Development agencies.)

 

  • Key focus: Execution, community engagement, and direct impact.


Partner: Select this group if your role is primarily strategic or collaborative. Partners are the connectors who bring specialized expertise, cross-sector resources, or external funding to the table to help the ecosystem build foundation and grow. (Examples: Consultants, Investors, and For-profit Organizations.)
 

  • Key focus: Foundational building blocks, specialized knowledge, and cross-industry bridges.

Founder: Select this group if you are a Local (Calgary and area), early stage technology and knowledge based businesses driving daily innovation, and engaging directly with the communities we serve.

Key focus: An entrepreneur building a business in the innovation space.

Member: Select this group if you are an active practitioner on the front lines. Members are the engines of the CIC, delivering direct services, implementing innovative programs, and engaging with the community daily to solve immediate challenges. (Non-profits, Post-Secondary Institutions, Economic Development agencies.)
Key focus: Execution, community engagement, and direct impact.

Partner: Select this group if your role is primarily strategic or collaborative. Partners are the connectors who bring specialized expertise, cross-sector resources, or external funding to the table to help the ecosystem build foundation and grow. (Examples: Consultants, Investors, and For-profit Organizations.)
Key focus: Foundational building blocks, specialized knowledge, and cross-industry bridges.

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Membership Options

CIC membership is designed to reflect the different roles organizations play within the innovation ecosystem.

How to Apply 

Please submit a resume and cover letter to our CEO,  Melissa Wemyss: melissa@wardlegal.ca 

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While we appreciate all applications, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 

Lawyers:

Please include transcripts from both law school and undergraduate studies 

Articling students:

Highlight academic achievements, relevant experience, and why you want to article at Wards Lawyers 

Law clerks: 

Provide a resume outlining your relevant experience, skills, and why you're passionate about supporting legal teams in delivering exceptional client service

  • Who it’s for:

    Local, early-stage technology and knowledge-based businesses

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    Designed for:

    Founders actively building and navigating the innovation ecosystem

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    Perks include:

    • Access to CIC Community Directory

    • Networking opportunities

    • Participation in Founder Action Tables

    • Referral pathways to ecosystem support

  • Who it’s for:

    Organizations providing programming, strategy, and direct support to founders

    (e.g., non-profits, post-secondary institutions, economic development organizations)

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    Designed for:

    Organizations shaping the ecosystem and supporting founders at scale

     

    Perks include:

    • Networking & ecosystem convenings

    • Participation in Founder Action Tables

    • Access to CIC Hub (TBA)

    • Reduced/free meeting & event space

    • Training opportunities (including grant writing)

    • Partner perks (Platform Calgary, Innovate Calgary)

    • Event promotion through CIC channels

    • Access to CIC Community Fund

    • Inclusion in Community Directory

    • Opportunities to contribute to ecosystem thought leadership and trends

  • Who it’s for:

    For-profit organizations and industry partners supporting the ecosystem

    (e.g., consultants, investors, service providers)

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    Designed for:

    Organizations contributing expertise, services, and industry insight

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    Perks include:

    • Community Directory listing

    • Networking opportunities

    • Participation in Founder Action Tables

    • Event promotion

    • Opportunities to contribute to ecosystem thought leadership and trends

Building Alberta’s Most Connected Innovation Ecosystem

Innovation does not happen in isolation.
 

It happens when founders, institutions, and organizations move together — with clarity, coordination, and shared purpose.
 

Calgary has world-class talent and a growing network of support. Yet many founders still experience the ecosystem as fragmented — unsure where to start or how to navigate it.

CIC exists to change that.
 

By connecting organizations, aligning efforts, and amplifying our collective impact, we are building an ecosystem that is:
 

More connected. More collaborative. More visible. More impactful.

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The Impact We’re Driving Together

Through CIC membership, we are building an ecosystem that is:

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  • Easier for founders to navigate

  • More connected across organizations

  • Better engagement around shared ecosystem priorities

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Together, we strengthen Calgary’s ability to support innovation-driven growth.

Become a Member (there’s no fee) 

Join a network of organizations committed to strengthening Calgary’s innovation ecosystem.

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What is CIC Network?

CIC Network is a structured framework for ecosystem collaboration — designed to align organizations around shared priorities while recognizing the unique role each plays in supporting innovation.

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Rather than duplicating services, CIC connects the system.

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We bring together:

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  • Founders

  • Post-secondary institutions

  • Economic development organizations

  • Investors and industry partners

  • Founder-support organizations
     

Together, we create a more connected, coordinated, and effective ecosystem.

 

Still unsure where you fit?

In a healthy ecosystem, many organizations do a little bit of everything. However, for this redesign, we ask that you select the role that represents your primary contribution that defines your work 80% of the time.

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