A new Calgary-based startup is helping coffee lovers discover and support local cafés while saving money on their daily cup. Perked has launched a daily subscription service — called the “Sipscription” — that gives subscribers access to one cup of artisan drip coffee per day from participating independent coffee shops across the city.
The concept is simple: customers pay a flat monthly fee, typically less than the average downtown coffee budget, and enjoy a fresh cup of locally roasted coffee every day from local cafés featured on the platform. Behind the scenes, the company has built a system to manage payments, split revenue between multiple vendors, and ensure a smooth customer experience — all with a team of just one, powered by AI.
What makes Perked stand out in Calgary’s independent coffee scene is how it was built. Instead of relying on a team of developers, designers, and marketers, the founder used artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT and low-code platforms to design the business model, develop the website, and manage operations. Tasks that typically require large budgets and vendor support were completed internally, saving the company in early start-up costs and countless personnel hours.
The company also used AI to simplify what is usually a complicated process — tracking customer usage, managing payments, and distributing revenue across multiple café partners. The result is a lightweight, scalable platform that benefits both subscribers and small businesses. For local coffee shops, it provides increased visibility and a steady stream of new customers. For users, it offers convenience, savings, and the chance to explore new cafés across the city.
But beyond the convenience, what sets Perked apart is its focus on connection. The platform was designed not just to help people find great coffee, but to spark real-life interactions and build community. Each subscriber receives a daily token, with up to four being stored at a time. These tokens can be used for the subscriber’s daily coffee, be used to treat a friend, pay it forward to a stranger, or surprise someone in their coffee club. It’s a simple gesture, but one that adds a layer of humanity to the coffee ritual and to transform a daily habit into a shared moment.
This focus on meaningful experience runs through every decision. One of the startup’s biggest insights was the importance of staying focused on the daily routine of a single user. By building around how people actually live and connect, Perked created a product that feels both personal and scalable — helping Calgarians enjoy their coffee while also strengthening local bonds.
As more small businesses explore how AI can support lean growth and customer engagement, Perked shows how technology can be used not just to optimize, but to build something thoughtful from the ground up — one cup, and one connection, at a time.
This article is part of Innovation+ in the Plus 15, a special editorial series from the Calgary Innovation Peer Forum and Digital Journal that explores how Calgary-based companies are innovating.
