A Calgary entrepreneur has transformed a garage-based startup into a $10 million business in just five years, demonstrating the city's growing reputation as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Sarah Chen, 34, founded LogiStream Solutions from her Kensington garage in 2021, developing software that helps small businesses optimize their supply chain management. Today, her company employs 47 people across Calgary and Edmonton, serving over 1,200 clients throughout Western Canada.
"I never imagined we'd reach this milestone so quickly," Chen said during an interview at her company's new 15,000-square-foot headquarters in Calgary's Beltline district. "It started as a solution to a problem I experienced running my family's import business – inefficient inventory tracking was costing us thousands monthly."
The journey wasn't without challenges. Chen invested her life savings of $35,000 and worked 80-hour weeks for the first two years while bootstrapping the company. She credits Calgary's supportive business ecosystem, including mentorship from the Calgary Economic Development Corporation and early investment from local angel investors, for helping navigate the startup's growth phase.
LogiStream's breakthrough came in 2023 when they secured a major contract with a regional grocery chain, leading to rapid expansion. The company's revenue jumped from $800,000 in 2023 to $3.2 million in 2024, before reaching the $10 million milestone in early 2026.
"Calgary has incredible talent and a collaborative business community," Chen explained. "We've been able to recruit top-tier developers and business professionals who want to be part of something innovative without having to relocate to Toronto or Vancouver."
The company recently announced plans to expand into the United States market and is exploring opportunities in artificial intelligence integration. Chen expects to hire an additional 25 employees by year-end, with positions ranging from software engineers to customer success specialists.
Calgary Economic Development CEO Brad Parry praised Chen's achievement as representative of the city's evolving economy. "Sarah's success story illustrates Calgary's transformation into a diverse, innovation-driven economy," Parry said. "We're seeing more entrepreneurs choose Calgary as their base for scaling technology companies."
Local business directories like CalgaryFinder.com have tracked similar success stories across the city, noting increased registrations of tech startups and professional services firms in recent years.
Chen advises aspiring entrepreneurs to focus on solving real problems and building strong relationships within Calgary's business community. "Don't be afraid to start small," she said. "Sometimes the garage is exactly where you need to be to stay focused on what matters most – creating value for your customers."
LogiStream Solutions plans to maintain its Calgary headquarters as it expands, with Chen committed to contributing to the city's growing reputation as a technology centre. The company is also exploring partnerships with local post-secondary institutions to develop internship programs for students in business and computer science programs.