Canada is investing $2.25M in the BC Tech Association

Calling BC’s “booming technology sector and vibrant start-up ecosystem” a significant contributor to a strong economy, the Government of Canada announced a $2.25 million investment to support the BC Tech Association (BC Tech) today.

The investment was jointly announced by North Vancouver MP Jonathan Wilkinson, and Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development in Vancouver on Wednesday morning.

“By strengthening our tech ecosystem through BC Tech, we’re making it easier for companies to access new opportunities, attract talent, and cross-pollinate ideas needed to grow this sector at home,” said Wilkinson.

Innovate BC/Facebook

The government said the investment “will allow BC Tech to deliver on two priorities.”

The first priority will be to “develop and deliver a suite of programs that will accelerate the scale-up of technology companies and support technology adoption by non-technology companies.” This initiative will “address an identified need to help entrepreneurs who wish to scale-up to overcome business challenges like insufficient access to advice, financing, and new markets.”

Canada’s Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains at Daily Hive. (Daily Hive)

The second priority will be to “ensure continued access of technology companies to the ‘Hub.'” Established in 2014, the Hub is a supportive environment where companies can focus on getting products to market and increasing revenues.

The government said today’s funding announcement “will allow BC Tech to continue to operate the Hub and help start-up firms grow into anchor companies that will strengthen the backbone” of BC’s tech community.

“Investing in BC Tech ensures that companies with high-growth potential receive the support they need to spur growth and create good middle-class jobs for Canadians,” said Bains.

“BC Tech is dedicated to making BC the best place to grow and scale a tech company and to accelerate the adoption of technology across BC’s economy,” said BC Tech President and CEO Jill Tipping. “Today’s investment strengthens BC’s tech ecosystem by enabling us to provide companies with the programs, support, place and services they need to grow, export, scale, and thrive on a global stage.”