British Columbia has cultivated an atmosphere in which innovative entrepreneurs can find the support, encouragement and resources they need to see their visions become reality. Organizations like the
BC Innovation Council, the provincial
Startup in Residence program, the
BC Tech Association and
Work BC offer assistance to new businesses. While the entire province of British Columbia is making strides with new businesses, the Okanagan boasts impressive resources and support for start-ups.
One support structure is
Accelerate Okanagan. Their mission is to give new technology-driven businesses the connections they need to thrive. Accelerate Okanagan leads the development and growth of entrepreneurs and helps companies manage growth sustainably so they don’t burn out or overextend their resources. The BC Tech Association recently
posted an article highlighting the thriving culture of start-ups in the Okanagan region and celebrating their participation as the only Canadian region to participate in a community pilot project focused on supporting local entrepreneurs and establishing start-up communities
.
Part of the success achieved in the Okanagan stems from business support structures, educational programs and incentives offered across B.C. that foster a prepared workforce in conjunction with industry growth. In fact, according to a recent
report the province is poised to become a global
supercluster. For more than 20 years,
BC Tech (formerly BCTIA) has been providing opportunities for the tech industry to collaborate, learn and grow together. One outcome from the network of available training, funding and opportunity within B.C. is innovation – entrepreneurs here are able to take greater risks because they are in a community that understands and appreciates the potential rewards. The Vancouver Economic Commission has a
video encouraging local start-ups to break from convention and innovate.
The
BC Innovation Council has also just launched its second
BC Growth Opportunities Tour, covering 6 major cities across the province and inviting large enterprises to interact with start-ups and innovators. This year there are 27 companies participating who will present business challenges to an audience of local innovators who have the opportunity to offer their solutions. The Innovation Council monitors start-ups in the province and reports out on
statistics including investments sources, global rankings and work environments, in which B.C. cities like Vancouver are well regarded.
Whether you are interested in starting a business, growing your business or networking with other professionals, we have resources to assist you. Connect with us on
LinkedIn or
Twitter, or face-to-face at one of the events listed on our
events page.