UCalgary alumni-founded companies top Deloitte Canada’s 2024 Technology Fast 50

In an impressive testament to the University of Calgary's vibrant innovation ecosystem, two alumni-founded businesses, PurposeMed and Neo Financial, took the top two spots on Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 list. 

This remarkable achievement underscores UCalgary's commitment to fostering entrepreneurial thinking and supporting the growth of innovative ventures that contribute both locally and nationally. 

Ranked second by Deloitte, PurposeMed’s journey began with the initiative and vision of its founders, Dr. Husein Moloo, MD’13, PGME’15, and Pete MacLeod, BSc’12, who leveraged the skills and insights gained during their time at UCalgary to address pressing health-care challenges, later adding Dr. Caley Shukalek, MD’14, PGME’17, PGME’19, a clinical assistant professor in the Cumming School of Medicine, as their chief medical officer.

The growing virtual health company has accessed UCalgary’s innovation ecosystem at multiple parts of their journey, including early stage startup investment from the UCeed Health Fund, and then support through Haskayne ScaleUp, powered by Creative Destruction Lab - Rockies.

By providing accessible and affordable health-care solutions through cutting-edge technology, PurposeMed is creating impact for the community.

The top spot on the Deloitte list was taken by Calgary-based Neo Financial, co-founded by Kris Read, BSc'02, MSc'05.

"Our alumni's accomplishments with Neo Financial and PurposeMed highlight the importance of community involvement and interdisciplinary collaboration," says Dr. William Ghali, vice-president (research). "Their success stories inspire our current students, postdocs and faculty to create something impactful and transformative through their research here at UCalgary."

A top startup creator in Canada, UCalgary’s innovation ecosystem has grown over the last decade to support our community with the tools they need to start something. In the last five years, UCalgary has created 92 startups, more than any other university in Canada. With numerous offerings to advance entrepreneurship and innovation from experiential-learning opportunities, mentorship programs to facilities to accelerate discoveries and early stage investment opportunities, UCalgary is setting the stage to create impact.

PurposeMed and Neo Financial’s achievement is an example of what can be accomplished when passion and innovation intersect at the University of Calgary.