Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) is launching an innovation hub in Calgary in September, focused on creating jobs for high-demand sectors of Calgary’s tech ecosystem.

The Hub will create 300 tech jobs for Calgarians over the next three years in data engineering, machine learning, artificial intelligence and other fields. The hires will reach 1,500 RBC employees in the city and 4,000 in the province.

“RBC’s decision to open an innovation center in Calgary is a testament to our city’s technological innovation ecosystem.

The province has taken significant steps to become an attractive option for the tech sector. For
As companies seeking to operate in Alberta, Calgary represents an economy that looks to innovation rather than strictly energy.

“RBC’s decision to open an innovation hub in Calgary is a testament to our city’s technological innovation ecosystem. Calgary is, and always has been, a city for innovators looking to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges, ”said Brad Parry, Interim President and CEO of Calgary Economic Development.

The creation of the Hub comes amid the city’s attempts to bring businesses back to Calgary to revive the economy, which has been slowing since 2019. With more and more open space in the city’s downtown core, Calgarians have asked companies to look towards the tech sector. After a rocky start to 2018 between the Conservative government and Alberta’s tech sector, Alberta Premier Jason Kenne announced the “Technology and Innovation Strategy” in Budget 2021, making technology and innovation a key component of the government’s economic stimulus goals.

Premier Kenney has campaigned for the return of businesses to the province and the city of Calgary since the downturn began. “Diversifying our economy through technology and innovation is a key part of Alberta’s recovery plan. I am delighted to see RBC expanding its presence in Alberta with this investment in our growing technology sector, ”said the Premier.

Over the past year, Calgary has become the home of companies such as mCloud, Infosys and Mphasis. Local businesses such as Symend and Benevity have also received international attention.

The Hub will allow 300 new employees to join RBC’s global technology and operations team. The announcement comes just days after RBC announced its financial partnership with Kanata North Business Association for the Hub350 Technology Park.

RBC Senior Vice President of Technology and Operations Jules Andrew called Calgary an “attractive location” due to its financial services industry, developed infrastructure and proximity to post-secondary institutions. .

“RBC’s Innovation Center is a strategic investment in Alberta’s economy that will strengthen its emerging technology ecosystem and help its technology sector grow,” said Andrew.