Even in uncertain times, the people and companies that redefine the global tech industry are forging ahead. For three days in December, seven British Columbia (B.C.) technology companies will come together virtually for the world’s largest tech conference. The annual Web Summit, typically hosted in Portugal, has gone virtual, allowing more than 100,000 attendees and 2,500 start-ups from 150 countries to participate. Seven B.C. companies will join them for trade and investment opportunities, masterclasses, innovative roundtable events, networking with web giants and experts from every industry and lead generation. Conf... continue reading

British Columbia has one of the largest artificial intelligence (AI) hubs in Canada. Our AI companies are continuing to grow, with 40% of them looking to expand outside of North America for a primary market. Established international technology companies like Amazon, Fujitsu and Tableau are also turning to B.C. to grow their AI capacity and they are helping to enhance the province’s reputation as a hub of digital technology and innovation. The Government of British Columbia offers a range of initiatives to support the AI sector, including the $100 million BC Tech Fund, which provides early-stage capital to emerging tech co... continue reading

A robot uprising is unlikely in our near future. Humanity is decades away from the type of artificial intelligence we’ve seen in Hollywood movies. But there are tasks that artificial intelligence, machine learning and automation can do amazingly well. Agritech is one industry that is embracing innovations of that kind and marrying them with existing food production processes.   Agritech is the art and science of producing more with less. Its goal is to produce more nutritious, affordable and abundant food with less space, water, soil, energy, fertilizer, chemicals and waste. The technology is not always new, but the ... continue reading

South Korea is enjoying a blueberry boom. Sun-kissed, plump and juicy, B.C. blueberries’ naturally balanced sweet and tart flavour and intense blue colour make them an appetizing and beautiful addition to any meal. Fresh or frozen, this small-but-mighty berry is jam-packed with nutritional benefits. It’s an irresistible combination, and it has roused Korean consumers’ appetites. The BC Blueberry Council and Korean agri-food distributor Erum Food System have reached an agreement to supply frozen B.C. blueberries to South Korea's Provence Bakery and the major coffee shop franchise, Hollys Coffee. Pr... continue reading

British Columbia offers tremendous potential for the application of new technologies to agriculture and food production to help strengthen the sector.   AquacultureWest Coast Fishculture's fresh steelhead are native to the Pacific Northwest and favoured by seafood lovers and discerning chefs. West Coast Fishculture is developing and testing new, alternative technology that advances humane harvesting, sustainable fish farming practices and proprietary cage technology, including through its AgriMarine Floating Closed Containment System.   Breeding and GeneticsOkanagan Specialty Fruits Inc. (OSF) is a dynamic agr... continue reading

What makes a city a truly great place to live – so great that it tops a list of desirable cities worldwide? It's a hot debate, with everyone measuring and weighing different variables.    If you are an investor or site selector, locating in one of those genuinely exceptional cities can go a long way towards supporting your recruitment and retention of the best, most talented professionals. Canada is proud to be home to three of the Top 10 Most Livable Cities in the World in 2019; Vancouver, British Columbia is the world's sixth most livable city.    The Economist Intelligence Unit (... continue reading

British Columbia is really, really big. The province is bigger than France and Germany combined and about double the size of California. Almost 64% of the province (about 60 million hectares) is forested, yet less than one-third of one percent is harvested annually. And we still manage to export millions of tonnes of wood products each year, because it is such an abundant resource. British Columbia provides a business-friendly environment and a versatile natural resource that lends itself to innovative, sustainable purposes.  The Province is committed to a Mass Timber action plan. Mass timber supports CleanBC goals by lower... continue reading

The Vancouver Island and Coast region is located on the west coast of British Columbia and includes all of Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and some of the coastal regions of the Mainland. This region is known for its temperate climate, unspoiled wilderness and beautiful coastlines. Business advantages include quick and easy access to other tech and tourism hubs like Vancouver and Seattle with a wide range of transportation options. Businesses on the island and coast have access to networks of economic development professionals and close-knit communities, helping create outsized opportunities that can leverage whole sub-region... continue reading

Investors are attracted to British Columbia’s strong economic fundamentals, its proximity to the U.S. market, its highly skilled work force, and abundant resources. With one of North America’s most competitive business climates, British Columbia offers stability and support to startups and new offices. The province is at the commercial crossroads of Asia-Pacific and North America with the shortest sea route between the two for easy global access. The welcoming culture and ability to bring international talent into B.C. contributes to the local staffing pool, while the natural beauty and popular outdoor activities com... continue reading

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all sectors of the economy and aerospace is no exception. In the leadup to the global pandemic, B.C.’s aerospace sector was well positioned for growth. Between 2012 and 2017, B.C. increased its aerospace manufacturing exports by 57% and diversified its exports outside of North America. The onset of COVID-19 dramatically changed a bright outlook for trade and investment and introduced a series of challenges for aerospace companies to navigate. Major aerospace manufacturers are slowing and, in some cases, halting production. There has also been a steep decrease in commercial air travel whic... continue reading