BC Innovation Council

BC Innovation Council
Crown Agency
Founded 2004
Headquarters Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Website

www.bcic.ca

www.bcacceleration.ca

The BC Innovation Council (BCIC) is a Crown Agency of the Province of British Columbia, Canada, and the largest funder of entrepreneurial support programs in the province.[1]

BCIC focuses on the support of technology startups and entrepreneurs through programs, sponsorship and competitions[2] that facilitate technology commercialization. To meet the needs of British Columbia (BC) growing technology sector, BCIC partners with academia, government and industry organizations to deliver programs, initiatives and events that accelerate company growth – resulting in jobs, increased revenue and economic development in BC.[3]

By encouraging the development and application of advanced and innovative technologies, BCIC works to meet the evolving needs of industry.

History

The British Columbia Innovation Council (BCIC) was first formed in 2004 after a merging of the Advanced Science Institute BC and the Innovation and Science Council of British Columbia.[4]

Current BCIC Supported Programs & Initiatives

BCIC’s supported programs aim to provide entrepreneurs with the tools, resources and expert guidance they need to build successful companies. BC Venture Acceleration Program Offered through 13 regional partners in the BC Acceleration Network, the program encourages a disciplined approach to building a technology company and help define a business model for sustained growth and profitability.

Partners of the Venture Acceleration Program include

BCIC New Ventures Competition

The BCIC-New Ventures Competition gives early-stage tech entrepreneurs education, mentorship, and exposure to help build a successful venture. Participants compete in 3 rounds of judging to compete for top honours and over $300,000 in cash & prizes. The competition has generated over 3,300 jobs for British Columbians and raised over $200 million in investment financing since 2001.

BCIC Tech Works

BCIC Tech Works unites students with valuable training opportunities at innovative companies in B.C.'s technology sector through the BCIC Innovator Skills Initiative and BC Tech Co-op Grants Program.

Innovator Skills Initiative (ISI)

The Innovator Skills Initiative Program[7] is delivered by BCIC’s technology industry partners and driven by regional industry needs. Students are employed by BC-based technology companies with a BCIC ISI Voucher valued at up to $7,500, which is then matched by the company.

BC Tech Co-op Grants Program

The BC Tech Co-op Grants Program is delivered through co-op departments at BC post-secondary institutions. The program encourages student training and job readiness with work terms at small technology firms.

Launch Academy

Launch Academy is Western Canada's leading tech startup hub and early-stage incubator, where entrepreneurs launch ideas off the ground, accelerate startups to success, and connect with Vancouver’s largest community of mentors, investors and thriving entrepreneurs. Since 2012, Launch Academy has helped over 1000 entrepreneurs, 450 early-stage startups. To this date, they've collectively raised over $80 million and created more than 700 jobs for our economy.

The Next Big Thing

The Next Big Thing is a non-profit charity that empowers young entrepreneurs with the mentorship, education, resources and technology they need to succeed. Ten young Canadian innovators are chosen to participate. Their residency includes: $10,000 in grant funding each, six months fully furnished local accommodations, flights in/out of Vancouver, dedicated co-working space and a full-time curriculum.

entrepreneurship@SFU

Technology entrepreneurship@SFU is a high-tech entrepreneurship initiative in partnership with BCIC, Dr. Ken Spencer, Simon Fraser University's (SFU) and the Beedie School of Business. Through the tech e@sfu program, SFU’s brightest third and fourth year Mechatronics and Entrepreneurship students are brought together to develop a market-inspired technological product and pitch for the funds.

entrepreneurship@UBC

The entrepreneurship@UBC (e@UBC) Accelerator Program supports the development and growth of UBC-linked ventures. Employing the Business Model Canvas, new venture teams iteratively test business model hypotheses and build a validated start-up opportunity.

Emily Carr University of Art + Design Design for Startups

Design for Startups is an initiative of the Social + Interactive Media (SIM) Centre at Emily Carr University of Art + Design. Through this initiative, 5 Emily Carr designers are matched with 5 early-stage companies in residence at Highline (previously Growlab) a startup accelerator based in Vancouver.

NRAS Research Team Program

NRAS Research Team Program is developed collaboratively by BCIC and BCFRST. The program supports BC's most accomplished researchers working on projects that hold potential for significant social, environmental and economic benefit to the province in both the near term and future.

ACETECH

ACETECH is a non-profit training and mentoring organization for CEOs of technology, life sciences and innovative companies looking to grow their revenue faster with less risk.

External links

The BCIC website offers a variety of tools, resources, news, and events to help navigate through BC’s technology startup industry.

BCIC For Entrepreneurs

BCIC’s ‘For Entrepreneurs’ page provides a curated directory of programs, resources & tools to help entrepreneurs you build their startup. Resources include: Accelerators, Incubators and Programs, Co-working Spaces, The Concierge Portal, and more.

BCIC Tech Events in BC

BCIC provides a curated list of tech-related events coming to British Columbia.

BCIC Blog & Success Stories

References

  1. ↑ BCIC: About BCIC, Retrieved on 2015-06-23.
  2. ↑ BCIC-New Ventures Competition: About NVBC, Retrieved on 2015-06-23
  3. ↑ BCIC Service Plan 2015-16, BC Innovation Council. (2015). Retrieved on 2015-06-23.
  4. ↑ Guess who’s turning 10? BCIC makes a decade of service, Government of BC - News. (October 14, 2014). Retrieved on 2015-06-23.
  5. ↑ BCIC named Government Organization of the Year by Startup Canada, Lindsay Chan. (May 02, 2014). Retrieved on 2015-06-23.
  6. ↑ Province supports job training in the technology sector, Government of BC – News. (May 25, 2015). Retrieved on 2015-06-23.
  7. ↑ Innovator Skills Initiative Program
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