The birth of a movement
Celebrating
transition
& creating
Community
The idea for LAB was sparked during a coffee catchup between Chelsea Hallick of Calgary Economic Development and Shawn Mahoney of Spare Parts & Gasoline (SP&G). Chelsea noted that Calgary’s innovation community had been energized by talent from recent BigCo layoffs.
These layoffs brought a wealth of experience and fresh perspectives into the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Many former BigCo employees transitioned to founding or joining startups, leveraging their industry expertise to launch new ventures and accelerate growth. This influx of skilled professionals invigorated Calgary’s startup scene, creating a vibrant landscape of collaboration, investment opportunities, and innovation.
Shawn recognized this as an idea worth celebrating and began sharing it with other leaders, including Mark Little (former Suncor CEO and Jotson Founder) and Platform Calgary CEO Terry Rock. Both leaders embraced the concept, offering their support to help it grow.
Back at SP&G, the idea began to take shape. Life After BigCo (LAB) was born.
The first LAB: Startup Edition event featured a panel discussion designed to inspire by showcasing diverse perpectives on how Calgary's ecosystem fosters entrepreneurial success. Attendees experienced “unexpected collisions” and an energy that sparked new connections. The event left people asking, “What’s next?”
As LAB evolved, it became clear that it wasn’t just about life after BigCo. People still at BigCo and those in adjacent spaces also had important roles to play in sparking change and strengthening the community. With growing demand, LAB expanded its mission: to celebrate and empower the people who drive innovation and purpose in business.
Today, LAB is more than an event series.
It’s a movement.
Join us.
The idea for LAB was sparked during a coffee catchup between Chelsea Hallick of Calgary Economic Development and Shawn Mahoney of Spare Parts & Gasoline (SP&G). Chelsea noted that Calgary’s innovation community had been energized by talent from recent BigCo layoffs.
These layoffs brought a wealth of experience and fresh perspectives into the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Many former BigCo employees transitioned to founding or joining startups, leveraging their industry expertise to launch new ventures and accelerate growth. This influx of skilled professionals invigorated Calgary’s startup scene, creating a vibrant landscape of collaboration, investment opportunities, and innovation.
Shawn recognized this as an idea worth celebrating and began sharing it with other leaders, including Mark Little (former Suncor CEO and Jotson Founder) and Platform Calgary CEO Terry Rock. Both leaders embraced the concept, offering their support to help it grow.
Back at SP&G, the idea began to take shape. Life After BigCo (LAB) was born.
The first LAB: Startup Edition event featured a panel discussion designed to inspire by showcasing diverse perpectives on how Calgary's ecosystem fosters entrepreneurial success. Attendees experienced “unexpected collisions” and an energy that sparked new connections. The event left people asking, “What’s next?”
As LAB evolved, it became clear that it wasn’t just about life after BigCo. People still at BigCo and those in adjacent spaces also had important roles to play in sparking change and strengthening the community. With growing demand, LAB expanded its mission: to celebrate and empower the people who drive innovation and purpose in business.
Today, LAB is more than an event series.
It’s a movement.
Join us.