• ENTREPRENEURS

    Support for Entrepreneurs

    Whether you are starting out or scaling up, we have resources, in-house experts, and accelerator programs for entrepreneurs who are ready to grow.

    APPLY NOW
    • Startup Basics

      Startup Basics is a self-led online program. Each module is designed to teach entrepreneurial fundamentals needed to transform an idea into a startup.

      GET STARTED
    • Venture Validation

      Venture Validation is a 3-month startup intensive. It is designed to teach rapid validation, iteration, and development to early-stage entrepreneurs.

      GET CONNECTED
    • Market Ready

      Market Ready is a 3-month intensive design to teach entrepreneurs go-to-market strategy, how to connect with potential customers, and effective product positioning.

      Learn to Launch
    • Fundable

      Fundable is an 8-week capital-focused program. It is designed for entrepreneurs who want to increase their understanding of capital-raising pathways and prepare to be investable.

      CAPITAL READY
    • Angel Summit

      The Okanagan Angel Summit is an 8-week pitch program designed to educate investors and startups on the investment process through participation. It culminates in a public finale where an investment of up to $200K is placed.

      Get Invested
    • ThreeSixty

      Customized engagement to prepare startups for raising a Seed to Series A investment round. ThreeSixty dives deep into growth and risk management, team development, and financial models.

      Prepare to Raise
    • AccelerateIP

      AccelerateIP is an integrated, three-stream, Intellectual Property capacity-building program. Focused on helping startups protect, manage, and leverage their intellectual property.

      PROTECT YOUR IP
  • Members

    Membership Means More

    Get plugged into the Okanagan tech community with Accelerate Okanagan’s membership. Membership is designed to provide resources and support for companies with perks for the founders and employees.

    Become A Member
    • Member Network

      Get to know the companies in the OKGNtech ecosystem. Our member network is made up of tech companies, innovative businesses, and support organizations.

      Explore the Network
    • Partners

      These organizations are investing their time and dollars into AO and OKGNtech. Meet our core funders, partners, and patrons who help us deliver on our mission to give entrepreneurs the mentorship, connections, and community they need to thrive.

      Meet Our Partners
    • Company Membership

      Company Membership is for all companies building a business, service, or product. Members can access the resume bank, job board, member library, perks, and discounts to Accelerate Okanagan events.

      Explore the Benefits
    • Supporter Membership

      Supporter Membership is for all organizations and institutions that are supporting entrepreneurs. Members can access the resume bank, job board, member library, perks, and discounts to Accelerate Okanagan events.

      Explore the Benefits
  • Jobs

    Employ Your Potential

    No matter what your business is focused on, people are at the heart of it. The OKGNtech Job Board and Resume Bank make it easy to access the best of the best.

    VIEW Job Board
    • VIEW JOBS

      Our Job Board showcases available open positions from businesses within the Okanagan tech community. Use it to find your next career or showcase your next opportunity.

      Open Positions
    • Post a Job

      Finding and recruiting the right talent is critical for any growing business. Have a job opening you need to fill? Share it with the community by posting it on our Job Board.

      Post a Job
    • Post a Resume

      Looking to share your resume? Upload it to our Resume Bank! All Accelerate Okanagan members have exclusive access to review your resume from there.

      Accelerate Your Career
  • Events

    Time Well Spent

    There is always something happening in the OKGNtech community. Keep an eye on the Accelerate Okanagan events calendar for the latest in workshops, networking events, and conferences.

    Events Calendar
  • Workspaces

    Working The Okanagan Way

    Building a strong community, meeting like-minded people, and access to free coffee are just a few of the benefits of choosing to use Accelerate Okanagan’s coworking spaces.

    Find A Workspace
    • Tenancy / Kelowna

      Rent a dedicated desk with OKGNworks, a shared workspace located on the second floor of the Kelowna Innovation Centre. This space is purposefully designed with an open floor plan to create collisions and connections for tenants.

      JOIN OKGNWORKS
    • Meeting Rooms / Kelowna

      Looking for a meeting space in downtown Kelowna? OKGNworks has a variety of rooms available for rent. Each meeting room comes with the resources and space needed to facilitate large and small groups and are available at flexible rates.

      BOOK A MEETING SPACE
    • Tenancy / Vernon

      The Vernon Innovation & Entrepreneur Workspace (The VIEW) is a home base for innovators and entrepreneurs in the North Okanagan. This shared workspace allows for flexible rentals of dedicated desks, private offices, and part-time options.

      Explore The VIEW
    • Meeting Rooms / Vernon

      Rent a meeting room in downtown Vernon at The VIEW. The Vernon Innovation & Entrepreneur Workspace (The VIEW) offers a diverse selection of spaces available to rent for large or small team meetings at hourly, half-day or full-day rates.

      BOOK A MEETING ROOM
  • ENTREPRENEURS

    Back

    Support for Entrepreneurs

    Whether you are starting out or scaling up, we have resources, in-house experts, and accelerator programs for entrepreneurs who are ready to grow.

    APPLY NOW
    • Startup Basics

      Startup Basics is a self-led online program. Each module is designed to teach entrepreneurial fundamentals needed to transform an idea into a startup.

      GET STARTED
    • Venture Validation

      Venture Validation is a 3-month startup intensive. It is designed to teach rapid validation, iteration, and development to early-stage entrepreneurs.

      GET CONNECTED
    • Market Ready

      Market Ready is a 3-month intensive design to teach entrepreneurs go-to-market strategy, how to connect with potential customers, and effective product positioning.

      Learn to Launch
    • Fundable

      Fundable is an 8-week capital-focused program. It is designed for entrepreneurs who want to increase their understanding of capital-raising pathways and prepare to be investable.

      CAPITAL READY
    • Angel Summit

      The Okanagan Angel Summit is an 8-week pitch program designed to educate investors and startups on the investment process through participation. It culminates in a public finale where an investment of up to $200K is placed.

      Get Invested
    • ThreeSixty

      Customized engagement to prepare startups for raising a Seed to Series A investment round. ThreeSixty dives deep into growth and risk management, team development, and financial models.

      Prepare to Raise
    • AccelerateIP

      AccelerateIP is an integrated, three-stream, Intellectual Property capacity-building program. Focused on helping startups protect, manage, and leverage their intellectual property.

      PROTECT YOUR IP
  • Members

    Back

    Membership Means More

    Get plugged into the Okanagan tech community with Accelerate Okanagan’s membership. Membership is designed to provide resources and support for companies with perks for the founders and employees.

    Become A Member
    • Member Network

      Get to know the companies in the OKGNtech ecosystem. Our member network is made up of tech companies, innovative businesses, and support organizations.

      Explore the Network
    • Partners

      These organizations are investing their time and dollars into AO and OKGNtech. Meet our core funders, partners, and patrons who help us deliver on our mission to give entrepreneurs the mentorship, connections, and community they need to thrive.

      Meet Our Partners
    • Company Membership

      Company Membership is for all companies building a business, service, or product. Members can access the resume bank, job board, member library, perks, and discounts to Accelerate Okanagan events.

      Explore the Benefits
    • Supporter Membership

      Supporter Membership is for all organizations and institutions that are supporting entrepreneurs. Members can access the resume bank, job board, member library, perks, and discounts to Accelerate Okanagan events.

      Explore the Benefits
  • Jobs

    Back

    Employ Your Potential

    No matter what your business is focused on, people are at the heart of it. The OKGNtech Job Board and Resume Bank make it easy to access the best of the best.

    VIEW Job Board
    • VIEW JOBS

      Our Job Board showcases available open positions from businesses within the Okanagan tech community. Use it to find your next career or showcase your next opportunity.

      Open Positions
    • Post a Job

      Finding and recruiting the right talent is critical for any growing business. Have a job opening you need to fill? Share it with the community by posting it on our Job Board.

      Post a Job
    • Post a Resume

      Looking to share your resume? Upload it to our Resume Bank! All Accelerate Okanagan members have exclusive access to review your resume from there.

      Accelerate Your Career
  • Events

    Back

    Time Well Spent

    There is always something happening in the OKGNtech community. Keep an eye on the Accelerate Okanagan events calendar for the latest in workshops, networking events, and conferences.

    Events Calendar
  • Workspaces

    Back

    Working The Okanagan Way

    Building a strong community, meeting like-minded people, and access to free coffee are just a few of the benefits of choosing to use Accelerate Okanagan’s coworking spaces.

    Find A Workspace
    • Tenancy / Kelowna

      Rent a dedicated desk with OKGNworks, a shared workspace located on the second floor of the Kelowna Innovation Centre. This space is purposefully designed with an open floor plan to create collisions and connections for tenants.

      JOIN OKGNWORKS
    • Meeting Rooms / Kelowna

      Looking for a meeting space in downtown Kelowna? OKGNworks has a variety of rooms available for rent. Each meeting room comes with the resources and space needed to facilitate large and small groups and are available at flexible rates.

      BOOK A MEETING SPACE
    • Tenancy / Vernon

      The Vernon Innovation & Entrepreneur Workspace (The VIEW) is a home base for innovators and entrepreneurs in the North Okanagan. This shared workspace allows for flexible rentals of dedicated desks, private offices, and part-time options.

      Explore The VIEW
    • Meeting Rooms / Vernon

      Rent a meeting room in downtown Vernon at The VIEW. The Vernon Innovation & Entrepreneur Workspace (The VIEW) offers a diverse selection of spaces available to rent for large or small team meetings at hourly, half-day or full-day rates.

      BOOK A MEETING ROOM

Opportunity Knocks Vol. 14 | IRAP (Industrial Research Assistance Program)

Blog January 20, 2020

Posted by Alex Goodhew

Opportunity Knocks Vol. 14 | IRAP (Industrial Research Assistance Program) Featured Image

Let’s face it, it’s not easy to take an idea and turn it into a reality. The truth is that being an entrepreneur will test you in ways you didn’t think possible, but we want you to pursue it anyway. We also want you to know that you’re not alone. There are a ton of support services and funding opportunities available to entrepreneurs in the Okanagan who are ready to take the plunge. One of those support services is IRAP (Industrial Research Assistance Program).

Industrial Research Assistance Program is a government program designed to support innovation. If you are a small to medium-sized business with an innovative twist, the IRAP program may be something worth looking into. This program, facilitated by the National Research Council, helps companies build their capacity for innovation and take their ideas to market.

How can they help?

If you are a company working on innovative, technology-driven R&D projects, you can apply to join the IRAP program. If successful, you could receive:

  • Financial support in the form of a monthly reimbursement of project expenses of up to 80% of the salaries of technical employees and up to 50% of subcontractor expenses
  • Advisory services
  • Connections to the best business and R&D experts in Canada

HighAltitude_KevinGreenwood.png

The best thing about this program is that you can connect one-to-one with an expert who has your best interests at heart! There is a whole team from the National Research Council here in Kelowna, one member being Kevin Greenwood. Kevin is an Industrial Technology Advisor for the Okanagan Valley and is eager to meet with companies in our region who are innovating.

How can I connect with Kevin? And how can Accelerate Okanagan Help? We thought you’d never ask!

Kevin Greenwood will be joining for the next Funding and Support presentation on January 29th, 2020 at 8:30 am at Accelerate Okanagan. We hope to see you there! You can also connect directly with Kevin at kevin.greenwood@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Otherwise, feel free to connect with me and let’s find funding and support opportunities that will work for you and your business.

Contributors Profile _ Alex Reid.png

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