Kootenay Association for Science and Technology Joins Innovation Alliance

British Columbia’s frontrunners in technology ecosystems announced this month the formation of an alliance of not-for-profit innovation hubs.

Named the BC Technology Ecosystems Network, this unified initiative aims to harness and connect the diverse, vibrant regional ecosystems to better support transformative company building across the province.

Founding members of the alliance include entrepreneurship@UBC, Foresight Canada, Hubspace, Innovation Island, New Ventures BC, SFU VentureLabs, and VIATEC.

Among the network’s Boundary-adjacent members are Accelerate Okanagan and the Kootenay Association for Science and Technology.

For over a decade, these institutions have collectively worked under the umbrella of Innovate BC’s Accelerator Network—whose achievements include the generation of $1.2 billion in economic activity, the creation of 4,500 tech sector jobs, and support to 1,500 companies.

“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,” offered Jeanette Jackson, chief executive officer of Foresight Canada. “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.”

The establishment of BCTEN looks to build on such accomplishments with a more seamless and collaborative network across the province.

“The founding members of BCTEN recognize that fostering a truly vibrant innovation ecosystem demands a comprehensive approach,” stated Dan Gunn, CEO of VIATEC and Chairman of BCTEN. “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.”

BCTEN’s vision includes skills development, facilitating access to capital, and fostering community engagement, according to a statement from the organization.

Over the remainder of the year, BCTEN says it will begin launching purpose-driven initiatives.