Calgary's Economic Transformation: Building a Diverse Foundation for Growth
As Calgary prepares to welcome its two millionth resident in the coming years, the city is undergoing a significant economic transformation. While the energy sector continues to anchor the local economy, innovative new industries are emerging to support this burgeoning population. Companies in aviation, logistics, and technology are now playing crucial roles in diversifying Calgary's economic landscape.
The Streaming Success Story: From Children's Content to Major League Sports
One standout example of this diversification is A Parent Media Co. (APMC), a Calgary-headquartered company that has evolved dramatically since its inception. Founded in 2012 by Neil Gruninger and Mike Lowe during Calgary's oil boom, APMC launched its Kidoodle.TV streaming platform two years later. What began with children's programming like My Little Pony and Sonic the Hedgehog has expanded into a global enterprise with remarkable reach.
Today, Kidoodle.TV is available in more than 160 countries and boasts 18 million monthly active users. The platform provides families with access to popular children's programs including Gabby's Dollhouse, Sesame Street, and Paw Patrol. Since 2023, APMC's annual revenues have surged by approximately 350 percent, demonstrating the company's impressive growth trajectory.
Expanding into Sports Streaming and Beyond
Since 2024, APMC has been rapidly developing its sports media and technology division through its Victory+ subsidiary. This direct-to-consumer streaming service now offers live regional games for major league teams including the NHL's Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks, baseball's Texas Rangers, along with Western Hockey League and National Women's Soccer League matches.
"We're the little engine that could," says CEO Neil Gruninger, a Lethbridge native. "We just kept chugging away and now all of our experiences have created this one."
Calgary's Evolving Business Ecosystem
More than a decade ago, Calgary was not widely recognized as a hub for rapidly scaling tech startups. Gruninger acknowledges the early challenges of bootstrapping the business but emphasizes that APMC was able to secure local investors after Kidoodle began operations. The company's success has been recognized with awards including being named best streaming service at the Webby Awards last year.
"Ultimately, if we didn't live in Calgary, we probably wouldn't have had the opportunity and the foundation of investors to align with our mission of keeping kids safe," Gruninger explains. "That was really core to the early days of us being able to raise capital. And if it wasn't for the oil boom, I don't think we could have had that opportunity, quite frankly."
Workforce and Geographic Expansion
APMC now employs approximately 50 people in its Calgary office, with about 215 employees total across Canada and the United States. The company has established an office in Dallas, where Gruninger, a University of Lethbridge graduate, is currently based. This geographic expansion reflects the company's growing reach beyond its Alberta roots.
As Calgary continues to attract new residents and businesses, this economic diversification represents a strategic shift toward a more balanced and resilient economy. The success of companies like APMC demonstrates how Calgary is leveraging its traditional strengths while cultivating innovative industries that can thrive in the global marketplace.
