Regional Economic Development & Startup Ecosystems
Branding a Rural Innovation Engine from Scratch
industry
Economic Development and Technology Incubation
contributions
Brand Strategy
Visual Identity
Marketing & Communications
the challenge
Okotech needed more than a visual identity.
It needed a movement.
The region has entrepreneurial potential, but lacked a clear signal that innovation could and should thrive outside Calgary. With limited municipal budgets and the need for strong cross-organizational alignment, Okotech required a brand that could:
Stand shoulder-to-shoulder with major innovation players
Feel both local and future-ready
Build trust without relying on big-city funding structures
Scale as the incubator grows through 2027 and beyond
our approach
We launched a Phase 01 brand build that established Okotech as the region’s flagship innovation hub.
A Brand Built to Attract Founders, Funders, and Strategic Partners
Brand Strategy & Positioning
Visual Identity System
Marketing & Communications Plan
Brand Strategy & Positioning
Positioning Okotech as the Region’s Innovation Leader
We built the strategic foundation for Okotech by mapping founder and investor mindsets, analyzing competitive incubator programs, and creating messaging architecture. This included value propositions and narrative frameworks that position Okotech as a credible, future-ready hub for innovation in southern Alberta.
Visual Identity System
Designing a Brand That Signals Innovation
A clean, modern brandmark and flexible secondary icon
A bold but human typographic and colour system
A 10-page brand guide built for multi-partner consistency
Marketing and Communications Plan
A MarComm System Designed to Scale
We developed a marketing and communications plan that supports Okotech’s mission and vision. The strategy is built around inclusivity, economic resilience, and future readiness.
We created branded collateral to bring the identity to life, including mural and banner designs used across community touchpoints.
We also provided advisory on partner messaging alignment, ensuring consistent communication with Platform Calgary, Alberta Innovates, RINSA, and other ecosystem collaborators.
We did not just design a brand, we launched a regional movement.
The new identity acts as a beacon for tech in Okotoks, attracting early-stage founders and aligning key partners behind a shared vision. Municipal teams now have clarity and a messaging system that connects innovation with real community value.
As Okotech moves into Phase 2, the brand will continue to drive growth across southern Alberta. Freshly Pressed remains on standby as a strategic partner, ensuring the brand scales with intention, not just speed.
Freshly Pressed is proud to have helped position Okotech as a credible regional innovation hub.
reference
Josh Welz, Town of Okotoks