Media Releases

BCIC brings new entrepreneurial programs to Kamloops and Central Interior

Kamloops, British Columbia – Soon entrepreneurs and startups in Kamloops and the Central Interior will benefit from some new programming and initiatives offered by the BC Innovation Council (BCIC), thanks to a new regional partnership with the Kamloops Innovation Centre (KIC). KIC is a technology incubator created to enable commercialization and technological innovation in Kamloops.

“The partnership with KIC will create an excellent environment for entrepreneurs in the Central Interior of BC,” said John Jacobson, President and CEO of BCIC. “BCIC looks forward to working with KIC to meet the needs of startups in Kamloops and bring exciting programs like the Venture Acceleration Program to the region.”

BCIC encourages the development and application of advanced or innovative technologies to meet the needs of industry in BC. In September, BCIC launched the BCIC Acceleration Network, a tightly coordinated network delivering the Venture Acceleration Program and BCIC Mentor Program throughout the province, providing startup companies across all regions with consistent and structured guidance to accelerate the growth of their ventures.

The BCIC Acceleration Network is already operational in the Okanagan through Accelerate Okanagan and in Victoria through Accelerate Tectoria. 47 startups joined the program in the 12-month pilot phase of the program. In that time, they collectively attracted in excess of $4M in external investment, generated $1M in revenues and created 140 jobs for British Columbians. BCIC looks forward to bringing similar successes to companies in the Kamloops region.

“The BC Innovation Council is accelerating the commercialization of BC technologies through exciting programs and initiatives created to support startups and entrepreneurs,” said John Yap, Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology. “The technology sector is vital to the Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan and we are pleased to see the BCIC Acceleration Network’s reach grow into other regions of our province, helping to move along the jobs agenda.”

“We are very excited to have been selected as the BCIC Regional Partner in Kamloops,” said Jaethan Reichel, Co-founder of KIC. “We look forward to working with BCIC and delivering on our collective goals of accelerating technology-based startups in order to strengthen our economy through sustainable companies and jobs.”

Companies in Kamloops and Central Interior from Merritt to Williams Lake can also look to KIC to for more information or how to benefit from other province-wide BCIC programs including the BCIC-New Ventures Competition and Access BC. Access BC assists technology entrepreneurs throughout the province in accessing key programs, services and events taking place outside their regions.

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About BCIC
BCIC encourages the development and application of advanced or innovative technologies to meet the needs of industry in BC. We accelerate technology commercialization by supporting startups and developing entrepreneurs. With our partners, BCIC delivers programs and initiatives that promote company growth, resulting in jobs, increased revenue and economic development in BC. BCIC is a Crown Agency of the Province of British Columbia.
www.bcic.ca

About KIC
KIC is a technology incubator providing assistance to entrepreneurs to develop innovation and commercialization in the Kamloops technology community. KIC’s programs are offered with the help and funding of Western Economic Diversification (WED), British Columbia Innovation Council (BCIC), and the National Research Council (NRC).
www.kicstart.ca

Tagged as: Kamloops Innovation Centre, venture acceleration program, BCIC Acceleration Network