Calgary can be 'a global innovation hub,' says Terry Rock

Terry Rock has one of Calgary's moreeclectic business resumes.

He's helpedAlberta craft beer take off, taughtbusiness at the University of Calgary and sits on the board of the Sled Island indie music festival. Many know him as the founding CEO of the Calgary Arts Development Authority.

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But the 49-year-old willneed to draw on all that experience and then some as he takes over as bossof Calgary Technologies Inc., an organization devotedto guidingentrepreneurs through some ofthe mostcritical stages oftheir businesses' development.

The job comes withbig expectations.

Alberta wants to stretch its economybeyond its reliance on the energy sector.Organizations like Calgary Technologies Inc., often funded bya combination of government grants and fees for service, arekey players in a broader"innovation ecosystem," a network intended to help entrepreneurs turnbig ideas into successful companies.

Fledgling businesses facemany pitfalls.

We start with an attitude that says we actually can do it here.- Terry Rock

Coaxing investors to inject fundsintoa new technology or innovationis often as difficult as it is vital. Albertans don't necessarily have a great appetite for investment risk outside ofoil and gas.

But Rock feels good about where Calgary is headed and believesit hasmomentum on its side.In fact,he'd like to hear people talking about Calgary as a global centre for innovation in the next three to five years.

"Ultimately, Calgary has an opportunity to be a global innovation hub," Rock said.

CBCNews spoke with Rock about his goals for the organization and innovation in Calgary.

Theinterview has been editedfor length and clarity.

Q:You appeared to be having a lot of success as executive director ofthe Alberta Small Brewers Association. Why take this job with Calgary Technologies Inc. now?

A:For a number of reasons. The first thing is that I think craft beer is on its way in Alberta and it's been amazing to work with these entrepreneursand there's a ton of momentum there. A real, true Alberta success story.

I think in this case there's a bigger, a much bigger, agenda that we'll be able to work on and it's actually going to be a lot more difficult work, I think. It aligns really well with what I've been preparing myself to do over my career.

Q:Let'stalk a little bit about that. Your education is in strategic management, is that right?

A:That's right. I have a PhDin management focused on strategy entrepreneurship and innovation from Texas Tech University.

Q: What skills do you bring to Calgary Technologies Inc.?

A: Part of it is experience with helping to take kind of a fragmented ecosystem that we had in the arts in Calgary and put some attention to it. We set a big goal to be cultural capital of Canada in 2012 and achieved that in a city that I think not a lot of people thought had that in it. And I just really am passionate about supporting entrepreneurs.

That's one of the things working with the small brewers that has been so rewarding is that you're helping people achieve their dreams. They're putting their houses up, mortgaging their homes and working incredible hours to build a business that employs people, drives investment, uses these natural ingredients that Alberta is so well known for.

Being able to take that same attitude and belief in this place is something that I think is going to be really helpful. I'm also used to working across government, non-profit and with entrepreneurs, and sort of pulling all those things together. I really like working in that space and making those connections.

Q: You said the arts ecosystem was fragmented at one point. Do you see a similar challenge right now in terms ofhow the Calgary innovation ecosystem is similarly fragmented?

A: I think there are some challenges, yeah. But you know it's a real opportunity. There's a ton of activity and a lot of attention on how this is going to be part of our long-term solution to diversify and expand our economy.

We're home to a major research university and other universities that are developing the next generation of talent. So the opportunities are huge. And as we were going through transition, there's always work to be done to pull the various pieces together.

Q: How do you judge success for the organization and for you?

A: In the next three to five years, we start to see people commenting on how Calgary has emerged as a centre of innovation, and not just in Canada, but globally. And I don't think that's a stretch.

We are a city that has global connections, that is globally important in a number of industries. So that, to me, would be, at the highest level, you start to see Calgary being recognized as a place that people want to come to work because of the kinds of innovation that we're creating, the new value that we're creating.

Q: When we failed to make the shortlist for Amazon's second headquarters, what was your takeaway and do you think CTI has a role in trying to address those shortcomings?

A: I think part of the overall takeaway is that we do have to work at the ecosystem level. I look at it and say it's about talent, it's about space, it's about level of investment, it's about how you work together. It's four pillars of how we might look at building an ecosystem. And if any one of those is very weak, you're going to have challenges.

If anything, it's helped us to understand the gaps that we have at the highest level. And now what's required is that we're all on the same page about filling those gaps. We've got good early signs.

Q: We spoke to a number of entrepreneurs after Amazon's decision. They said one of the big challenges companies face is when they try to take them to the next level. Sometimes those companies end up going to the U.S. to findinvestors willing to take more risks. How do you overcome that?

A: I think what's important is that we start with an attitude that says we actually can do it here. Let's not start by saying, 'Well, we're never going to be able to get that kind of investment or be able to change the mindset.' I think where I start from is let's start with the right mindset, that we have things worth investing in, that we're a city that can support the lifestyle of people that work in these industries want to have.

Then let's make sure that the opportunities that people are being asked to invest in have got the best chance of succeeding. Where an organization like CTI can come in, we can work on the mindset side of it. We can also work on making sure that the companies that are there seeking investment are as prepared as possible to get that.

Q: You've always been quite a public figure in the roles you've held over the years. Will that to continue to be the case?

A: Partof the job here is mindset and I love being a cheerleader for the city and its potential. I fully believe that Calgary has the chance to be a global city when it comes to innovation. We've got all of the raw materials here.

There are a number of really amazing initiatives underway in Calgary and I am going to do what I can to make sure they get the attention and the resources they need.

Q: Will this be your most challenging job?

A: I don't know if I'd use that word challenging. I think it's definitely the most interesting job.

In this case, I think we've got so much momentum and raw material to work with, hopefully it's going to be more like surfing than it is pushing a rock up a hill. I think Calgary is ready for it and is excited about the potential.

Calgary: The Road Aheadis CBC Calgary's special focus on our city as it passes through the crucible of the downturn: the challenges we face, and the possible solutions as we explore what kind of Calgary we want to create. Have an idea? Email us at calgarytheroadahead@cbc.ca

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