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.
October 14, 2020
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
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
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, 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
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
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
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
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
September 12, 2019
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 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
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
Accelerate Okanagan to expand programs to target clean technology, indigenous entrepreneurs and communities in rural British Columbia.
December 12, 2017
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
A new partnership among British Columbia, Washington and Oregon boosts innovation by introducing startups to cross-border funding and collaboration opportunities.
November 14, 2017
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
Okanagan selected as only Canadian region to collaborate with Techstars’ Chris Heivly on community pilot project.