British Columbia Innovation Council

Accelerate Okanagan is accepting applications for BCIC's entrepreneurship@AO, a comprehensive 12-month program designed to support and nurture early-stage technology companies from product concept to market entry, created in partnership with BCIC.

Not based in the Okanagan? Not a problem if you're willing to locate your technology-focused startup in one of the beautiful cities of Kelowna or Penticton for one year!

In its first year, the program will provide support for up to 15 successful applicants.  Each company accepted into the program will receive:

• One-year's enrolment in Accelerate Okanagan's flagship Venture Acceleration Program, offering high-growth technology companies support from a dedicated venture advisor and a wide range of proven entrepreneurs and technology sector experts; access to bi-weekly business clinics; participation in workshops, seminars and other structured educational and skills development programs; and critical connections provincially, nationally and internationally
• Free access to shared office space at the organization's Innovation Centres in Kelowna and Penticton
• Participation in the BCIC Mentor Program, a province-wide development program that matches technology start-up founders with seasoned entrepreneurs. Mentors provide support that is critical for successful growth of the start-up.

The application deadline is February 15, 2012. Companies will be able to pitch to a panel of judges in either Kelowna or Vancouver. The selected applicants will be announced on February 23, 2012, with the Program set to launch March 1, 2012.

entrepreneurship@AO is one of six entrepreneurship@ program developed by BCIC to launch and grow new, sustainable technology companies in BC.

Learn more about entrepreneurship@AO here.