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De Calgary, the boardroom

When a hand rises and a pitch flies in the city’s meeting rooms, the outcome can be startlingly ordinary. A brief could spark a luminous idea, or it could dissolve quietly.

Mike Procee, creator of the Calgary Innovation Peer Forum, shares a view during a catch‑up with Digital Journal at Inventures 2025:

• “Psychological safety is essential for nurturing radical concepts.”
• “A single hand raised and an idea presented may not progress. A second raise, a second idea, may still falter; the flow of ideas stops abruptly.”
• “Organizations that master this dynamic boast a robust safety culture and stay open to fresh concepts.”

Trust fuels change

Procee argues that trust is the catalyst for genuine transformation inside large corporations. In the absence of trust, concepts stall before they ever reach daylight.

This outlook is gaining traction as Alberta’s largest employers seek routes to evolve while remaining competitive.

The shift underway in Calgary

Calgary’s economy, shaped largely by sizeable energy and resource enterprises, is witnessing a conversation with the peer forum that indicates a move away from chasing the next buzz simply because it is novel.

More leadership figures are asking how to foster conditions in which people can take small risks, speak up, and experiment, even when the results are far from perfect.

b>Mike Procee: Calgary’s Innovation Catalyst

Who is Mike Procee?

Mike Procee is the visionary behind the Calgary Innovation Peer Forum, a network that connects entrepreneurs, designers, and tech enthusiasts across the city.

What Does the Forum Do?

• Facilitates peer‑to‑peer learning, enabling members to share best practices.
• Organizes workshops that spark creative collaboration.
• Builds a community that drives economic growth in Calgary.

Why It Matters

By fostering a culture of open dialogue, Mike Procee’s Forum helps Calgary stay at the forefront of global innovation.

Key Takeaways

• Mike Procee leads a vibrant community of innovators.
• Calgary Innovation Peer Forum nurtures peer learning.
• Its impact fuels both local and national progress.

Innovation starts with a safe space, not just a new tool

Procee’s Coffee‑Chat Revolution

Procee didn’t launch a tech hub by accident. His first move was to invite people whose job titles already bragged about innovation for coffee. He simply observed their daily pain points, which eventually blossomed into regular peer conversations.

Focusing on Trust over Tech

“The forum I cherish doesn’t talk about tech or AI,” says Procee. “We navigate corporate innovation through a cultural lens.”

• Pure technical chatter misses the cultural thread.
• Without culture, no strategy sticks.

Embracing a Messy, Experimental Mindset

Procee highlights companies willing to mix a touch of entrepreneurship into their strategies:

• They experiment with imperfect ideas, even if initial attempts fail.
• They welcome risk without betting the entire organization.
• They accept a minimum viable product (MVP) instead of chasing perfection instantly.

Key takeaway: Relying on culture and a flexible risk appetite drives steady progress.

[Watch the full interview below]

Leadership sets the tone, but ideas need room to grow

Innovation thrives when leaders cultivate a culture of calculated risk‑taking

Procee stresses that progressive organizations must lace the environment with both top‑down guidance and bottom‑up momentum.

Disruptors need a support network for experimentation

• “You’re shaking the core of the organization. That’s a spark that deserves a safety net, so you can experiment without fear.”
• “When the experiment hits a plateau, the solution comes from the very people that are already playing with the technology.”

Early sparks are already embedded in the fabric of the company

A robust innovation team isn’t built on reinventing the wheel; it is a facilitator that clears roadblocks and aligns experiments with strategy. Procee points out that the organization already contains individuals who are exploring AI, VR or emerging platforms.

“Leverage those talents, elevate their ideas, and weave them back into the broader vision.”

Contact Procee for a tailored innovation program

Calgary Innovation Peer Forum

Founder

• Mike Procee

Photo credit: Jennifer Friesen, Digital Journal

The real work is mapping what you already have

Strategic Pause Before New Initiatives

Procee stresses the importance of a deliberate pause. Too often, companies rush into the next big project without first assessing existing efforts or available research.

Why Immediate Action Fails

• Innovators crave creation.
• They generate fresh ideas quickly.
• They neglect a thorough review.

Procee advises leaders to pause. By evaluating current assets and internal dynamics, teams gain a clear snapshot.

Closing Knowledge Gaps

• Leaders discover real operational status.
• They identify missing resources.
• They align future projects with present needs.

Momentum builds from small wins. Trust develops as projects demonstrate measurable progress, paving the way for larger ambitions.

Establishing Foundations

• “Plant the seed,” Procee says.
• Introduce all ideas openly.
• Refine concepts gradually.
• Only then move toward grander visions.

Your next step? Pause, assess, refine, then scale bigger and better.

Watch the interview: