Media
Interested in hearing about the Okanagan region’s fastest-growing sector? Our community is full of passionate members, innovative ideas and stories of the startup grind. We can’t wait to share them with you.
In the News
February 23, 2021
29 Investors. 6 Companies. 1 Giant Cheque.
Over the last six weeks, the OKGN Angel Summit investor group has been busy evaluating companies and narrowing down the entrepreneurs who will pitch live at the public Finale on March 18. 29 investors have reviewed, evaluated, and performed due diligence with over 40 applicants and found their finalists. This year, the final top 6 companies are pitching for a chance to receive a $145K investment in their business.
February 10, 2021
24 Companies Pitch for $145K Investment at the 2021 OKGN Angel Summit
Things are heating up! Our group of investors have been busy meeting week-over-week to review applications and select this year’s Quarter-Finalists. These 24 companies participated in a quick-pitch event where they delivered a 3-minute pitch followed by a 3-minute of Q&A with the investor
January 21, 2021
UNIQUE COLLABORATION TO MARKET CENTRAL OKANAGAN - COEDC, TOURISM KELOWNA AND ACCELERATE OKANAGAN RELEASE OKGO CAMPAIGN
For an area celebrated as a four-season playground, it’s electrifying to see how much entrepreneurial energy exists in the Central Okanagan. OKGo, a new partnership between the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission, Tourism Kelowna and Accelerate Okanagan, tells the stories of innovators and entrepreneurs in key business sectors and positions the region for future economic prosperity.
October 14, 2020
DER3 Program Helps Local Businesses Enter or Expand into the Digital Economy
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, local businesses are seeking new ways to adapt to an increasingly online world. To support this transition, Accelerate Okanagan is launching the Digital Economy: Rapid Response + Resiliency (DER3) Program which will connect small businesses with digital service providers and subject matter experts to help them enter or expand into the digital economy.
September 16, 2020
North Okanagan Talent Hackathon | Explained
Entrepreneurs can’t build great companies alone. Finding and retaining top talent and skilled knowledge workers continues to be a key issue for business owners not just in the Okanagan but across the country. If we want to build a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem and increase the number of businesses that scale in the Okanagan, we must address this challenge.
July 21, 2020
The VIEW: Vernon’s New Innovation Centre Prepares to Open September 1st
As the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the North Okanagan continues to grow, Accelerate Okanagan and Community Futures of the North Okanagan prepare to open The VIEW (Vernon Innovation & Entrepreneur Workspace) — an innovation center designed to bring together the community of innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs who call the North Okanagan home..
June 29, 2020
W Venture Launches in BC
W Venture, a program committed to advancing entrepreneurial women launches in BC. Accelerate Okanagan, University of Victoria and VIATEC have joined forces alongside the Digital Technology Supercluster to advance innovative entrepreneurial women in British Columbia.
March 12, 2020
OKGN Angel Summit 2020 | And the Winner is....
The investors have voted. The results are in. Kelowna-based Minga takes home the win. After almost an hour of deliberation, the winner was announced and Jason Richards, founder of Minga took home the $155,000.00 prize. Minga is a school app designed to improve communication and build safe, amazing, and connected communities.
Jan 29, 2020
Arlene Dickinson Will Headline as Keynote Speaker at the 2020 OKGN Angel Summit
Accelerate Okanagan announces Dragons' Den star, Arlene Dickinson, will headline as keynote speaker at the 2020 OKGN Angel Summit on March 12. Dickinson will take to the stage and speak candidly about her entrepreneurial journey and reveal her success formula for starting and growing a business.
Oct 10, 2019
Accelerate Okanagan Announces New CEO
The Accelerate Okanagan (AO) Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Brea Lake as the new CEO for the organization. Lake, who has been the Acting CEO for the past 9 months, will assume the full-time position effective immediately.
October 1, 2019
Accelerate Okanagan Makes Move to Unlock the Capital for Local Entrepreneurs
Local Startup and Scale Up companies will have more access to capital than ever before thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada. Accelerate Okanagan recently signed a funding agreement.
September 20, 2019
First Annual Future of Health Forum Focused on Research and Innovation in Cancer Care
September 12, 2019
Accelerate Okanagan Secures Funding to Support Regional Scale Up Companies
Western Economic Diversification Canada, announced investments of $2,855,550 through their Regional Innovation Ecosystem fund to support Accelerate Okanagan (AO) and the Victoria Innovation, Advanced Technology and Entrepreneurship Council (VIATEC).
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July 23, 2019
Accelerate Okanagan Develops 5 Year Strategic Priorities and Launches Search for Next CEO
Accelerate Okanagan has taken the time to pause, reflect and reimagine the future of OKGNtech and through this work have built a new set of strategic priorities.
September 20, 2018
New study shows Okanagan tech sector is growing fast; contributes over $1.6 billion to regional economy
A new study commissioned by Accelerate Okanagan in conjunction with the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC) shows that the Okanagan region’s technology sector is booming.
January 11, 2018
Entrepreneurs and Tech Companies to Benefit from Enhanced Acceleration Programs
Accelerate Okanagan to expand programs to target clean technology, indigenous entrepreneurs and communities in rural British Columbia.
December 12, 2017
Techstars Reveals Results of Community Pilot in the Okanagan and Highlights Next Steps
On Thursday, December 7th, 2017 Chris Heivly, Executive in Residence at Techstars, returned to the Okanagan to share findings from an assessment of the Okanagan startup ecosystem. Results were revealed to members of the startup community, partners, and the Accelerate Okanagan team.
December 07, 2017
Cascadia Venture Acceleration Network Signs MOU
A new partnership among British Columbia, Washington and Oregon boosts innovation by introducing startups to cross-border funding and collaboration opportunities.
November 14, 2017
Accelerate Okanagan 2017 Board of Directors Announced
At its annual general meeting on November 25th, Accelerate Okanagan elected three new members to the board of directors. Sitting board members, Scot Speiser, Blair Forrest and Quinton Pullen remain members of the executive.
August 29, 2017
Top Accelerator, Techstars, to Launch Community Pilot in Okanagan
Okanagan selected as only Canadian region to collaborate with Techstars’ Chris Heivly on community pilot project.