Calgary's top small businesses honoured

Companies producing underwear, and an app assisting pedestrians in their travels were among those honoured by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce Friday.

The Chamber recognized 10 companies and others among the 335 applicants at its 2026 Small Business Awards Gala at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, citing their innovation, creativity and determination.

“This year’s winners and runners-up showcase the changing nature of Calgary’s small business ecosystem, spanning energy, technology, health care, successful social entrepreneurship and so much more,” said Chamber President Deborah Yedlin.

“Small businesses comprise 94 per cent of Calgary’s business community; they fuel our economy by creating jobs, investing in our communities, contributing to the city’s overall vibrancy and economic resiliency.”

Taking the Servus Credit Union Award was Ava Industries Ltd., which simplifies medical records and ensures they’re more intuitive. Their products support 8,500 clinics and health-care professionals in B.C., Ontario and Alberta.

HomeFree Homecare is the recipient of the Doane Grant Thornton Emerging Growth Award. HomeFree teams up dedicated homecare teams with physician oversight to support those with complex needs, enabling them to stay in their own homes.

The RBC Inclusion Award has gone to Pedesting Corp., whose free app helps pedestrians navigate through the city, finding routes, ramps, elevators to enhance accessibility. 

Taking the Air Canada Community Champion honours is Devon & Lang, who fabricate fun and comfortable prints and underwear. With every purchase of its products, the company donates underwear to organizations helping people in vulnerable communities across the country.

AbaData has garnered the AlphaKor Innovation Award for building technology for the energy industry for more than 20 years. Their work connects engineers, field teams, operators and analysts through GIS mapping tools and software. 

Earning the ATB Indigenous Entrepreneurship Award is 49 Native Design. The company founded by J. Nathan Rainy Chief of the Kainai First Nation produces apparel, accessories and other items to bring Indigenous culture together with modern design fundamentals.

The CPA Alberta Social Entrepreneurship Award goes to cSPACE Projects that provides spaces and opportunities for the city’s creative community with a hub featuring studios, partnerships and programs.

Audiology Innovations has captured the TikTok People’s Choice Award for its hearing technology, hearing assessments and personalized audiology care since 2005.

The Avenue Magazine Made in Calgary Award goes to AFTI Watchdog. Their technology developed over more than a decade gives oil and gas companies a virtual view of the wellsites. Their WatchDog platform detects leaks and monitors production remotely.

April Hicke of Toast Consulting takes Rogers Small Business Leader of the Year Award. She’s a leader in furthering women in tech community, technology and recruitment that helps to close gender equity gaps while creating opportunities.

The Chamber’s 43rd awards event is a centrepiece of Small Business Week.