{"id":6400,"date":"2026-03-19T04:40:23","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T10:40:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/?p=6400"},"modified":"2026-03-23T05:17:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T11:17:06","slug":"the-history-of-calgarys-it-sector-the-oldest-companies-and-pioneers-of-the-digital-revolution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/eternal-6400-the-history-of-calgarys-it-sector-the-oldest-companies-and-pioneers-of-the-digital-revolution","title":{"rendered":"The History of Calgary\u2019s IT Sector: The Oldest Companies and Pioneers of the Digital Revolution"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Calgary is often called the energy heart of Canada. But while oil rigs were shaping the city&#8217;s skyline, a different kind of power\u2014digital\u2014was quietly taking root in modest offices and garages. <a href=\"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/it-sphere\">Calgary\u2019s tech sector<\/a> is booming, yet this success didn\u2019t happen overnight. Its foundation was laid back in the &#8217;70s and &#8217;80s. That is why it\u2019s so fascinating to look back at the pioneers: the oldest IT companies in Calgary. Who are they, and what legacy did they leave for today\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/eternal-calgarys-startups-using-artificial-intelligence\">AI-driven startups<\/a>? <a href=\"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/\">Calgary-future<\/a> takes a closer look at the roots of our digital evolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2717cb672b7\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2717cb672b7\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/eternal-6400-the-history-of-calgarys-it-sector-the-oldest-companies-and-pioneers-of-the-digital-revolution\/#A_Legacy_of_Digital_Leadership\" title=\"A Legacy of Digital Leadership\">A Legacy of Digital Leadership<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/eternal-6400-the-history-of-calgarys-it-sector-the-oldest-companies-and-pioneers-of-the-digital-revolution\/#Spartan_Controls\" title=\"Spartan Controls\">Spartan Controls<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/eternal-6400-the-history-of-calgarys-it-sector-the-oldest-companies-and-pioneers-of-the-digital-revolution\/#Headquarters_Contact_Info\" title=\"Headquarters &amp; Contact Info\">Headquarters &amp; Contact Info<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/eternal-6400-the-history-of-calgarys-it-sector-the-oldest-companies-and-pioneers-of-the-digital-revolution\/#NovAtel\" title=\"NovAtel\">NovAtel<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/eternal-6400-the-history-of-calgarys-it-sector-the-oldest-companies-and-pioneers-of-the-digital-revolution\/#Hexagon_Calgary_Campus_Info\" title=\"Hexagon Calgary Campus Info\">Hexagon Calgary Campus Info<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/eternal-6400-the-history-of-calgarys-it-sector-the-oldest-companies-and-pioneers-of-the-digital-revolution\/#SMART_Technologies\" title=\"SMART Technologies\">SMART Technologies<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/eternal-6400-the-history-of-calgarys-it-sector-the-oldest-companies-and-pioneers-of-the-digital-revolution\/#SMART_Technologies_Headquarters\" title=\"SMART Technologies Headquarters\">SMART Technologies Headquarters<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/eternal-6400-the-history-of-calgarys-it-sector-the-oldest-companies-and-pioneers-of-the-digital-revolution\/#How_Pioneers_Shape_Todays_Tech_Hub\" title=\"How Pioneers Shape Today\u2019s Tech Hub\">How Pioneers Shape Today\u2019s Tech Hub<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Legacy_of_Digital_Leadership\"><\/span>A Legacy of Digital Leadership<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before diving into the specific stories, let\u2019s look at the &#8220;Big Three&#8221; that defined Alberta\u2019s IT landscape. These enterprises transformed into global leaders, each dominating a unique niche. Their evolution from local innovators to international powerhouses is captured in the table below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Top Historic IT Companies in Calgary<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Company<\/td>\n<td>Founded<\/td>\n<td>Industry Niche<\/td>\n<td>Key Innovation<\/td>\n<td>Global Impact Today<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Spartan Controls<\/td>\n<td>1963<\/td>\n<td>Industrial IIoT &amp; Automation<\/td>\n<td>Intelligent control systems for the energy sector.<\/td>\n<td>Over $1.5B in value created; 5,000+ professionals trained annually.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>NovAtel (Hexagon)<\/td>\n<td>1978<\/td>\n<td>Geomatics &amp; Autonomy<\/td>\n<td>High-precision GNSS positioning and anti-spoofing tech.<\/td>\n<td>The gold standard for global precision agriculture and defense.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>SMART Technologies<\/td>\n<td>1987<\/td>\n<td>EdTech &amp; Collaboration<\/td>\n<td>Inventor of the original SMART Board\u2122.<\/td>\n<td>60+ million users in classrooms and boardrooms worldwide.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"624\" height=\"443\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/osn2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6373\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/osn2.png 624w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/osn2-300x213.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Spartan_Controls\"><\/span>Spartan Controls<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For over six decades, Spartan Controls has been the face of Calgary\u2019s industrial sector, evolving from a hardware supplier to a strategic leader in automation. The company\u2019s name, inspired by the discipline of ancient Spartans, reflects their rigorous approach to efficiency. As the exclusive partner of global giant Emerson, Spartan blends local expertise with world-class technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What truly sets them apart is their employee-ownership model; every worker is a shareholder, fostering a genuine entrepreneurial spirit. For the region\u2019s tech ecosystem, Spartan is a critical link connecting the physical world of heavy industry with a digital future\u2014ranging from cloud solutions to energy sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Spartan Controls by the numbers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>15+ strategic customer service locations;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>800,000 square feet of innovation and manufacturing space;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>5,000+ customers supported annually;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>$140M in inventory to ensure operational power;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>$13.5M invested in education and workforce development;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>55 certifications for specialized maintenance and installation;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>0.3 TRIF safety rating, representing the highest standards of workplace protection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/spartan-controls-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6376\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/spartan-controls-2.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/spartan-controls-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/spartan-controls-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/spartan-controls-2-696x522.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Headquarters_Contact_Info\"><\/span>Headquarters &amp; Contact Info<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For those exploring the city\u2019s tech infrastructure or seeking partnerships, Spartan Controls&#8217; main office is located <a href=\"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/eternal-6291-calgarys-iconic-landmark-the-history-of-the-calgary-tower\">near the heart of Calgary\u2019s industrial district<\/a>, not far from the city&#8217;s famous landmarks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Address: 305 &#8211; 27 Street SE, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2A 7V2.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Phone: 403-207-0700.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Support (Mon-Fri, 08:00\u201317:00): 1-877-278-6404.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Emergency Support (24\/7): 1-877-278-6404 (available after hours for critical requests).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1536\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/spartan-controls-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6379\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/spartan-controls-1.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/spartan-controls-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/spartan-controls-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/spartan-controls-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/spartan-controls-1-696x522.jpg 696w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/spartan-controls-1-1068x801.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"NovAtel\"><\/span>NovAtel<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>NovAtel is a true crown jewel of Calgary\u2019s tech sector. Growing from a local innovator to a key part of the global giant Hexagon, the company has set the gold standard for positioning on land, at sea, and in the air. For NovAtel, coordinates are only &#8220;true&#8221; when they are 100% reliable, not just precise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their GNSS and inertial navigation technologies are the bedrock for autonomous vehicles and smart ecosystems in the world\u2019s most demanding environments. The company places a heavy emphasis on navigation cybersecurity\u2014protecting against jamming and spoofing\u2014making their algorithms essential for the modern world. Thanks to NovAtel, Calgary has officially become a global geomatics hub where the most complex engineering challenges are solved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NovAtel&#8217;s scale and influence:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u20ac5.2B in annual net sales for the Hexagon corporation;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>24,000 skilled employees within the combined global structure;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>100% target for data integrity and reliability;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A massive Hexagon campus in Calgary that serves as a primary innovation center;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>4 key domains: solutions spanning land, sea, air, and space.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1321\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/novatel-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6382\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/novatel-2.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/novatel-2-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/novatel-2-768x528.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/novatel-2-1536x1057.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/novatel-2-696x479.jpg 696w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/novatel-2-1068x735.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hexagon_Calgary_Campus_Info\"><\/span>Hexagon Calgary Campus Info<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For market researchers and potential partners, NovAtel (Hexagon) remains one of the largest tech employers in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Address: 10921 14th Street NE, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T3K 2L5.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Main Phone: 403-295-4500.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Toll-Free (USA &amp; Canada): 1-800-NovAtel (1-800-668-2835).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Global Reach: The company maintains direct support lines in China, Europe, SE Asia, and Australia.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"955\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/novatel-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6385\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/novatel-1.png 955w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/novatel-1-300x201.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/novatel-1-768x515.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/novatel-1-696x467.png 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 955px) 100vw, 955px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"SMART_Technologies\"><\/span>SMART Technologies<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While Spartan automated industry and NovAtel mastered navigation, SMART Technologies forever changed how the world learns and works. Headquartered in Calgary, this Canadian company gave the world the legendary SMART Board\u2122. They proved that an innovative product born in Alberta can become a global standard from New York to Tokyo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The core philosophy at SMART is &#8220;connections that matter.&#8221; Here, technology is simply a tool to help people interact more effectively. The company doesn&#8217;t just sell hardware; it creates a &#8220;connected learning&#8221; ecosystem. Their displays allow multiple users to collaborate simultaneously, completely shifting the dynamic in classrooms and boardrooms. Today, the brand remains a prestigious symbol of Calgary, leading the EdTech industry from its <a href=\"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/eternal-6195-calgary-becoming-a-smarter-city\">state-of-the-art innovation office<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SMART Technologies\u2019 global reach:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>60M+ teachers, students, and business leaders worldwide trust their solutions daily;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Number one in the world as the inventor of interactive whiteboard technology;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Decades of consistent leadership and R&amp;D investment based in Calgary;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hundreds of thousands of resources in their online library for educators;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A global partner network ensuring service reliability that outperforms international competitors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1440\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/smart-technologies-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6388\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/smart-technologies-1.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/smart-technologies-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/smart-technologies-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/smart-technologies-1-696x696.jpg 696w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/smart-technologies-1-1068x1068.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"SMART_Technologies_Headquarters\"><\/span>SMART Technologies Headquarters<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A hub for educators, business reps, and IT professionals interested in cutting-edge display solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Address: 3636 Research Road NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2L 1Y1.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Phone: +1-206-718-7115.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Legacy: Inventor of the SMART Board\u2122 and world leader in interactive solutions.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/smart-technologies-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6391\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/smart-technologies-2.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/smart-technologies-2-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/03\/smart-technologies-2-696x928.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Pioneers_Shape_Todays_Tech_Hub\"><\/span>How Pioneers Shape Today\u2019s Tech Hub<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The history of Calgary\u2019s IT companies is a chronicle of resilience and innovation born from the need to solve complex engineering problems. These pioneers didn\u2019t just create jobs; they forged the city&#8217;s unique DNA. Understanding who stood at the beginning is vital\u2014it helps us appreciate the <a href=\"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/eternal-6330-how-to-launch-an-it-startup-in-calgary-a-step-by-step-guide-to-grants-and-accelerators\">scale of our modern progress<\/a>. Calgary is a city where the future has been under construction for decades. And this journey is only just beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>List of Sources Used:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spartancontrols.com\/about-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.spartancontrols.com\/about-us\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SpartanControls\/photos\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SpartanControls\/photos<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/novatel.com\/about-us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/novatel.com\/about-us<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/novatelinc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/novatelinc<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smarttech.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.smarttech.com\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SMARTTechnologies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SMARTTechnologies<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Calgary is often called the energy heart of Canada. But while oil rigs were shaping the city&#8217;s skyline, a different kind of power\u2014digital\u2014was quietly taking root in modest offices and garages. Calgary\u2019s tech sector is booming, yet this success didn\u2019t happen overnight. Its foundation was laid back in the &#8217;70s and &#8217;80s. That is why [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":485,"featured_media":6371,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1115],"tags":[4746,4730,4743,4733,4731,3166,4751,4747,4750,4735,4745,4741,4734,4740,4742,4744,4749,4748,4737,4739,4732,4736,4738],"moimportance":[29,30,33],"motype":[1121],"moformat":[28],"class_list":{"0":"post-6400","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-it-sphere","8":"tag-alberta-it-ecosystem","9":"tag-alberta-tech-sector","10":"tag-business-in-calgary","11":"tag-calgary-edtech","12":"tag-calgary-it-history","13":"tag-calgary-startups","14":"tag-calgarys-tech-future","15":"tag-canadian-tech-hubs","16":"tag-company-success-stories","17":"tag-digital-revolution-in-canada","18":"tag-energy-innovations","19":"tag-first-it-companies","20":"tag-geomatics-canada","21":"tag-gnss-technologies","22":"tag-hexagon-calgary","23":"tag-industrial-digitalization","24":"tag-industrial-internet-of-things","25":"tag-it-development-in-canada","26":"tag-novatel-calgary","27":"tag-smart-board-invention","28":"tag-smart-technologies-history","29":"tag-spartan-controls-automation","30":"tag-technology-pioneers","31":"moimportance-aktualna-bilshe-roku","32":"moimportance-golovna-novyna","33":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory","34":"motype-eternal","35":"moformat-list-short"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6400","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/485"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6400"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6400\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6465,"href":"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6400\/revisions\/6465"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6371"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6400"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6400"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6400"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=6400"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=6400"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calgary-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=6400"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}