Life After/At/Adjacent to BigCo (LAB) connects professionals designing their careers after BigCo (a.k.a. large corporations or other institutional structures, like government, academia, or media) with those still within BigCo and those also working in adjacent spaces.
Through thoughtfully curated experiences, LAB fosters meaningful conversations and collaboration to tackle the problems worth solving in our communities and country. It also aspires to lift people up, inspire them, and connect them with their purpose, enabling transformation across Canada’s business landscape.
Ultimately LAB makes a resounding impact by creating innovators, changemakers and entrepreneurs. This purpose-driven community will generate employment and economic opportunities across industries and geographies.
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.
… 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.
