Innovation Island brings Venture Acceleration Program to entrepreneurs in Mid and North Vancouver Island

Last month, BCIC welcomed the Innovation Island Technology Association (IITA) to the province-wide BCIC Acceleration Network as the newest delivery partner of the Venture Acceleration Program (VAP). VAP, delivered by the Network’s partners, provides technology entrepreneurs anywhere in the province with easy access to highly qualified entrepreneurial expertise and know-how in an organized and consistent manner. To date, more than 70 BC technology companies are already benefiting from VAP across BC. Learn more

Research endowment to position SFU and Fraser Health as a centre of excellence in medical technology

On January 29th, SFU neuroscientist Dr. Ryan D’Arcy was appointed the BC Leadership Chair in Multimodal Technology for Healthcare Innovation. As Chair, Dr. D’Arcy hopes to further understand the brain and help patients with devastating brain illness and traumatic brain injuries by combining health research and technology. The Leading Edge Endowment Fund (LEEF), administered by BCIC, provided $2.25 million in funding to support the Chair. Learn more

Deadline to apply to the BCIC-Mitacs Commercialization Voucher Program March 15^th

BC companies can apply to the BCIC-Mitacs Commercialization Voucher Program to engage a graduate student to undertake an opportunity assessment of products or services. Through the program launched last fall, graduate students at BC research institutions can apply for a $15K commercialization voucher – and benefit from valuable industry experience and exposure to exciting career opportunities! Visit www.bcic.ca/voucher to learn more.

BCIC-New Ventures Competition driving innovation
in BC

For more than 1,400 new ventures in BC, the idea of a cash prize may have enticed them to enter the BCIC-New Ventures Competition, however, it’s the business tools, perfecting their business pitch, mentorship and the relationships that made the competition so valuable. With 12 years of experience benefiting technology startups in BC, the Competition has a reputation second to none when it comes to moving the needle on innovation in BC. The 13^th annual competition will launch March 2013. Learn more about the competition and its economic impact in BC.

UBC Alumni and students can receive up to $5K in business services through UILO Voucher Program

Alumni and students with new ventures can now benefit from up to $5,000 worth of business services through the UILO Startup-up Services Voucher Program. Apply today and gain valuable assistance with business planning, market research, grant writing and more! Learn more

Did you see? BCIC’s CEO featured in January’s BC Business Magazine

Check out January's issue of BC Business Magazine to learn more about our (new) President and CEO John Jacobson and his top piece of advice for entrepreneurs just starting out! Learn more

Upcoming Events

Feb 4-6, 2013: Wavefont Wireless Summits, Vancouver

Feb 4, 2013: DigiBC’s Mobile Monday Vancouver

Feb 6, 2013: BCTIA TechBrew: The Ultimate Tech Mega-Mixer, Vancouver

Feb 8-10, 2013: Enterprize Canada 2013 National Entrepreneurship Conference, Vancouver

Feb 13, 2013: Small Business Information Expo 2013, Vancouver

Feb 19-20, 2013: Business Innovation Summits 2013: Innovation for the Corporation, Toronto

Feb 21-22, 2013: Canadian Financing Forum 2013: The New Start-up to Exit Journey: Founders, Funders & Exits, Vancouver

Feb 24-26, 2013: 11^th Annual BioPartnering North America, Vancouver

Mar 1, 2013: Startup Weekend Prince George