DAN GUNN
BRITISH COLUMBIA – A group of BC’s technology ecosystem builders have announced they are establishing an alliance of not-for-profit innovation hubs, known as BC’s Technology Ecosystems Network (BCTEN).
The goal of this alliance is to leverage their diverse regional networks and resources to support transformative company building across British Columbia. Following years of collaboration on best practices, strengthening industry intelligence and deep domain expertise, the alliance will showcase how BC born companies start, scale and grow their businesses by accessing fundamental resources provided by BCTEN.
The launch of this new alliance will build upon the BC Accelerator Network’s (BCAN) performance record which has resulted in the creation of over $1.2 billion of economic activity, added 4500 new tech sector jobs, and supported 1500+ companies. The organizations will leverage their years of experience in developing and delivering tailored initiatives and advocating for entrepreneurship.
The alliance includes the following organizations:
- Accelerate Okanagan
- entrepreneurship@UBC
- Foresight Canada
- Hubspace
- Innovation Island
- Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST)
- New Ventures BC
- SFU VentureLabs
- VIATEC
“The founding members of BCTEN recognize that fostering a truly vibrant innovation ecosystem demands a comprehensive approach,” states Dan Gunn, CEO VIATEC and BCTEN Chair. “From nurturing nascent ideas to empowering scale-ups, and supporting not-for-profit hubs, we believe that an inclusive strategy encompassing skills development, connections, access to capital, community engagement, best practice sharing, joint initiatives and beyond are pivotal to achieving long-lasting success.”
Central to the work of this not-for-profit group is ensuring that the diversity of people and solutions are unencumbered by systemic barriers, paving their way to becoming attractive and investable ventures that anchor in BC.
“Over the last 10 years, BC has established an incredible network of organizations committed to ensuring innovation and sustainable economic development thrive in this Province. The impact of these accelerators and ecosystem builders goes beyond just the number of jobs created, dollars of new revenue generated, and dollars of investment attracted,” notes Jeanette Jackson, CEO Foresight Canada. “Through the BCAN Network this group has provided safe, unconditional support for thousands of companies across all regions and sectors. We are excited to see what is possible over the next 10 years with existing and new partners in the BCTEN alliance.”
Over the next 90 days BCTEN will begin sharing collective impact stories and purpose-driven initiatives that demonstrate both a decade’s track record of success, as well as new opportunities aimed at catalyzing awareness and growth of the next generation of BC company leaders.
Business Examiner Staff & Submitted