Calgary, the largest city in the province of Alberta, Canada, has been home to many successful coders who have made a significant impact in the industry. In this article, we will share some inspiring stories of successful Calgary-based coders who have made their mark in the tech world.
Michael Litt
Michael Litt is the co-founder and CEO of Vidyard, a video marketing platform. After graduating from the University of Waterloo, Litt moved to Calgary and co-founded Vidyard in 2010. Under his leadership, the company has grown to over 350 employees and has raised over $60 million in funding.
Litt credits his success to his time in Calgary, where he was able to connect with other entrepreneurs and like-minded individuals. He also acknowledges the city's supportive business community, which helped him turn his startup into a successful company.
Aydin Mirzaee
Aydin Mirzaee is the co-founder and CEO of Fellow, a software company that helps teams collaborate more effectively. Mirzaee moved to Calgary after earning his degree in engineering from the University of Toronto. He co-founded his first startup, Fluidware, in Calgary in 2008, which was later acquired by SurveyMonkey.
After the acquisition, Mirzaee co-founded Fellow in 2019. The company has since raised over $18 million in funding and has become a popular tool for remote teams. Mirzaee credits Calgary's supportive startup ecosystem for his success, which provided the resources and mentorship he needed to grow his businesses.
Scott Cressman
Scott Cressman is the co-founder and CTO of Neo Financial, a digital banking platform. Cressman moved to Calgary to study computer science at the University of Calgary, where he co-founded his first startup, BlackSquare, in 2010. BlackSquare was acquired by WineDirect in 2016, and Cressman went on to co-found Neo Financial in 2019.
Under Cressman's leadership, Neo Financial has grown rapidly and has raised over $60 million in funding. Cressman credits Calgary's entrepreneurial spirit for his success, which encouraged him to take risks and pursue his passion for technology.
Irfhan Rawji
Irfhan Rawji is the founder and CEO of MobSquad, a talent management company that helps Canadian startups hire and retain skilled workers. Rawji moved to Calgary to work as a management consultant after earning his MBA from Harvard Business School. He later co-founded the tech company, Sandbox, in Calgary in 2013, which was acquired by PwC in 2015.
Rawji founded MobSquad in 2018, which has since helped many Canadian startups overcome the talent shortage in the tech industry. Rawji credits Calgary's vibrant startup community for his success, which provided the resources and support he needed to grow his businesses.
In conclusion, Calgary has been home to many successful coders who have made a significant impact in the tech industry. These coders have not only contributed to the growth of the industry but also helped create a supportive and collaborative tech community in Calgary. Their success stories serve as inspiration to aspiring coders in the city and beyond.