June 2019: 5 BC tech stories that caught my eye
B.C.’s tech sector is getting more news coverage than ever before. In fact, there can be so much news that it’s tough to stay on top of everything that’s going on.
That’s why each month, I’ll highlight my five favourite stories that showcase the incredible work of the companies, entrepreneurs, and researchers who are helping turn British Columbia into a thriving, globally competitive tech hub.
Here are five B.C. tech stories that caught my eye in the month of June.
BrainStation spotlights six B.C. tech startups you should know about
What happened: BrainStation, who have become a key part of B.C.’s innovation ecosystem, wrote a great blog post highlighting six innovative startup companies that are ‘on the cusp of rapid growth’.
Why I’m interested: There are so many great startups here in B.C. and I love how BrainStation took it upon themselves to feature companies that people may not know about. This isn’t the first time BrainStation has written a great blog post about B.C.’s tech sector. Their 2018 recap of our tech industry is a must-read for anyone who missed this back in December.
The Vancouver Innovation Ecosystem Guide is back
What happened: Vancouver Tech Journal put together a comprehensive guide that identifies who is doing what in the Vancouver innovation ecosystem.
Why we should care: This guide accomplishes three things simultaneously: it tells you who the key players are, what they all do, and provides all that information in one place. Vancouver is home to so many different organizations, events, and influencers that it can be tough to keep track of everything and everyone. This guide, which is a living document, is a definitely worth a bookmark.
VIATEC once again puts on an incredible awards night
What happened: The 19th annual VIATEC Awards took place on June 14th, spotlighting the companies and entrepreneurs who have helped make Victoria the fastest growing tech region in the province. Big winners include FreshWorks Studio (Employer of the Year), Anita Pawluk (Leader of the Year), and Benevity (Tech Company of the Year, 30+ employees).
Why I’m interested: Victoria’s tech sector continues to be an economic driver for the city and they have no reason to slow down any time soon. Congrats to Dan Gunn, Rob Bennett, and the entire team at VIATEC for what’s become one of the most anticipated dates on the BC tech calendar each year. I had a great time at the event and Innovate BC is extremely proud to be a primary funder of VIATEC.
What happened: Victoria-based Animikii, an Indigenous owned, values-based digital agency and social enterprise, raised $1M to scale social impact through indigenous technology. The investment was led by Raven Indigenous Capital Partners, with additional financing from BDC.
Why this is important: Animikii has been around for more than 15 years and have an impressive track record of delivering technology solutions exclusively for Indigenous communities and organizations. This seven-figure raise continues to validate their work, while also putting Raven Indigenous Capital Partners on the map with their first big investment.
What happened: The 26th annual Technology Impact Awards (TIAs) took place last night in front of a sold-out crowd at the Vancouver Convention Centre. As the press release notes, the winners “represent the cream of an impressive crop of innovative ventures fueling unprecedented growth and global competitiveness across British Columbia.”
Why we should care: After more than 25 years, the TIAs have become an institution in our tech sector. Congrats to Jill Tipping and the entire team at BC Tech Association for pulling off another great event. Also, it looks like Riaz Meghji is developing a pretty good side hustle as the B.C. tech sector’s official emcee.