September 2019: 5 B.C. 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 September.
Vancouver Startup Week draws thousands, celebrates local tech ecosystem
What happened: More than 150 events – including hackathons, community crawls, panels, and parties – took place during the 2019 Vancouver Startup Week. Now in its sixth year, the week-long celebration pulls together the tech leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs that make up our thriving tech sector.
Why we should care: Events like VSW give us an opportunity to connect with peers, learn from industry experts, and make valuable business connections. I’m blown away that everything -- from sponsorship, to programming, to branding -- is put together by a team of dedicated volunteers. Congratulations to Vivian Chan, Katty Wang, and the entire VSW team on a job well done and thank you for having Innovate BC as your Diamond Sponsor.
B.C. tech companies secure the bag
What happened: A slew of B.C. tech companies -- Clio ($250M USD), Trulioo ($70M USD), Terramera ($45M USD), Dapper Labs ($14.5 CAD), and UrtheCast ($5M USD) – announced a whirlwind of funding announcements that capped off one of the most notable financial quarters in B.C. tech history.
Why I’m interested: While each of these companies deserves special recognition, I’d like to specifically single out Clio, who have become an integral part of the Burnaby community. Their record-setting funding announcement – which featured appearances by the Mayor, a federal MP, and BC Tech Association’s Jill Tipping – was a huge win locally, provincially, and nationally. As the Globe and Mail’s Sean Silcoff pointed out, there’s a new wave of tech startups emerging in B.C. and I have no doubt that more industry-shifting success stories are on the horizon.
A big month for SFU
What happened: In addition to commemorating their 30th year in downtown Vancouver, SFU had several reasons to celebrate this month. Eight SFU innovators were named to the Royal Society of Canada; SFU VentureLabs received $3M in funding from the Federal Government; and their new School for Sustainable Energy Engineering welcomed its inaugural class of students.
Why we should care: SFU’s ability to develop talent, invest in breakthrough R&D, and cultivate innovative ideas has an immense impact on our tech sector. If you want to learn more about the impact SFU has had on the downtown core over the last three decades, I recommend reading this profile in BIV.
Lumen5 wins 2019 New Ventures BC Competition; three regional companies make the top 10
What happened: After six months of pitching, mentoring, and training, Vancouver’s Lumen5 stood tall as 2019’s top B.C. tech startup. A record 200 companies from all over B.C. applied for this year’s competition, with three Vancouver Island companies – Cuboh, Open Ocean Robotics, and Kranked Bikes – finishing in the top 10.
Why we should care: The New Ventures BC Competition, presented by Innovate BC, is a rite of passage for the province’s top tech startups. The annual competition has been a staple of the provincial tech ecosystem for nearly two decades and has produced notable past winners like Saltworks (2008), MediaCore (2012), and Ecoation (2017). Executive Director Angie Schick and her team at NVBC have a unique ability to support tech startups all over British Columbia and Innovate BC is proud to be the title sponsor of this event.
B.C. Tech salaries are on the rise
What happened: Stephanie Hollingshead and the team at HR Tech Group released the findings from their annual B.C. Tech Salary Survey, and the results are encouraging. As per the release:
"British Columbia’s tech sector is experiencing an incredibly fast-moving compensation market, with cities such as Vancouver paying some of the highest rates in the country for high demand tech jobs."
Why we should care: A career in tech offers several benefits. You can join an industry that’s growing year over year, you can work alongside the brightest and most innovative minds our province has to offer, and as this report states, you’ll be well compensated for your work. B.C. is building – and attracting – some of the world’s best tech companies and as noted above, we’re securing more capital than ever. There’s plenty of room on the B.C. tech bandwagon, and we’d love for you to jump on.