Calgary Economic Development (CED) and the Government of Alberta have launched a new trade capacity-building program called Level Up, aimed at helping Alberta businesses expand into international markets and reduce reliance on any single trading partner.
The free, province-wide program is designed for businesses across all sectors and comes as companies contend with ongoing trade disruptions and broader uncertainty in the global economy. Level Up combines on-demand online learning, expert-led workshops and one-on-one mentorship to give companies market intelligence and support as they pursue growth abroad.
The program is funded by the Government of Alberta and delivered by Calgary Economic Development. It builds on the existing Trade Accelerator Program (TAP), which helps businesses assess whether they are ready to export and develop an export plan. Level Up is positioned as the next step, offering more detailed market-specific knowledge and sector expertise for companies entering more complex international markets. It also consolidates access to resources from various government and industry partners in Alberta’s trade ecosystem into a single platform.
Diversification Push Amid Trade Volatility
Organizers say the launch comes at a critical time, as recent volatility in global trade has underscored the value of building customer relationships in multiple markets rather than depending heavily on one. According to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Calgary posted the largest increase in exports to non-U.S. markets among major Canadian cities between 2024 and 2025.
CED said businesses it supported through its trade services secured 45 trade deals in 2025, generating $60 million in trade revenue across 21 countries on six continents. The organization noted this represented the lowest share of trade deals concentrated in the U.S. on record for CED.
Backing From Government and Industry Partners
Brad Parry, President and CEO of Calgary Economic Development, said the program is intended to give Alberta companies a clearer path to accelerate international expansion, which he said also strengthens the local economy through new investment, revenue and jobs.
Joseph Schow, Alberta’s Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration, said the province is investing in programs to help Alberta businesses reach new markets and grow exports, describing entrepreneurs as job creators central to the province’s economy.
Level Up is supported by a group of partners including the Business Development Bank of Canada, Jori Logistics, Alberta Chambers of Commerce, Make More Creative and Top Draw. Daryn Edgar, CEO of Edmonton Global, said the program reflects a commitment to delivering consistent trade support across Alberta through sector-specific programming and training. Shauna Feth, President and CEO of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce, said the partnership aims to strengthen pathways for businesses to expand beyond provincial borders and develop new partnerships.
Companies Point to Past Program Success
Executives from companies that previously used the Trade Accelerator Program credited it with helping them establish an international customer base. Matthew Lowe, CEO and founder of Calgary-based indoor location technology company ZeroKey, said TAP helped the company reach customers in Europe and Asia faster than it could have on its own, with its technology now used in factories in more than 40 countries. Stephanie Gross, founder and CEO of Bumby Wool, said her company has served customers across six continents, crediting growth in part to programs like TAP and Level Up for providing access to education, networking and support.
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