Victoria’s Innovation, Advanced Technology, and Entrepreneurship Council this week unveiled the recipients of its first-ever BOOST program.
The organization supports the regional ecosystem in a number of ways, such as the iconic annual VIATEC Awards.
VIATEC’s new BOOST initiative is designed to help Greater Victoria’s tech companies grow faster and stronger.
Technology is Victoria’s top industry with 20,000 workers across 1,200 companies powering $8B in economic impact.
BOOST focuses on this wheelhouse, supporting local startups and scale-ups that show high potential by connecting them with expert advisors, targeted resources, and customized growth plans.
Qualifying companies are selected through a screening process that assesses growth potential, leadership team, market opportunity, and readiness to scale.
VIATEC is a member of the BC Tech Association.
BC Tech is the largest member-led technology non-profit in British Columbia, and we’re dedicated to turning startups and scaleups into the anchor companies of tomorrow. Our work supports members to grow and diversify their talent pool, acquire new customers, access capital and accelerate their scaleup journey. Technology is a key industry for BC’s future and builds resiliency in every industry. Today, every company is a tech company. Join now.
Those selected receive up to $45K in funding to implement self-designed growth strategies, from hiring and product development to customer acquisition or operational improvements, according to Dan Gunn, who serves VIATEC as chief executive officer.
“We built BOOST to meet companies where they are,” says Gunn. “Instead of forcing them into a one-size-fits-all program, we give them the freedom and investment to pursue their own growth strategies, with the right support behind them.”
“These are companies that already show strong potential,” noted Gunn, “and BOOST is about helping them scale faster, create more jobs, stay rooted in this region and break through to the next level.”
BOOST is, itself, boosted by the Government of Canada, who is supporting VIATEC’s initiative with a $2.5M investment through Pacific Economic Development Canada’s Business Acceleration Pilot, which funds organizations delivering tailored support for growth-oriented businesses.
“Congratulations to the first recipients of VIATEC’s BOOST initiative,” stated Gregor Robertson, Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada. “Through PacifiCan’s Business Acceleration Pilot, we’re supporting entrepreneurs who are ready to scale their businesses and reach new markets.”
The inaugural BOOST recipients are as follows:
- Appreciation Engine
- Button Inc
- Care2Talk Technologies
- Category 12 Brewing
- CultureFoundry
- Ergo Eco Solutions
- Fast Moving Software
- GECCO Green Edge Computing Corp.
- joni
- Limbic Media
- VoxCell BioInnovation
Applications for the next BOOST round are open until the end of July.
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