About

HELPING INDUSTRIES GROW

We deliver cost-effective, high-impact programs to address the biggest pain points of BC businesses. This means helping entrepreneurs access resources to help them start and scale their companies – and stay in BC.

As a Crown Agency, Innovate BC represents the Government of British Columbia, reporting to the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. It’s the ministry’s mandate to grow BC’s technology sector, champion innovation, nurture small businesses, support economic development throughout the province, and promote BC internationally as a preferred place to invest and do business. Innovate BC’s work supports the Ministry in achieving its mandate.

PROGRAMS

Our programs fall into three different categories: business coaching, hiring grants, funding opportunities for research and development, pilots, and scaling.

INSIGHTS

Innovate BC is the conduit of information and contact with BC citizens and businesses such that it can glean insights on the biggest needs and pain points of BC businesses. We engage with stakeholders, realize focus groups and surveys to continually understand the evolving needs of BC businesses.

RESOURCES

We also create educational content and provide access to resources to help build digital skills, increase diversity, equity and inclusion and access business opportunities.

1978

Science Council of BC is born

2005

Renamed BC Innovation Council

2006-2008

BC Regional Science & Technology Network launched
Reports to new ministry: AE

2010

New Ventures BC (NVBC) Awards

2011

NVBC

$1 awarded generates $5 tax revenue
$860M funds leveraged by Top 25 finalists
8,600 jobs created by Top 25 finalists

2012-2014

BC Regional Science & Technology Network becomes BC Acceleration Network
Reports to new ministry: TICS

2015

$10K hiring grants launched
1000 Jobs created from accelerators
100M Revenue generated from member companies

2016

$1M Ignite launches, supports R&D
#BCTech Summit North America’s largest annual tech event launched

2018

Renamed Innovate BC
Reports to new ministry: JTT

2019

Reports to new ministry: JEDC
200K BC Fast supports pilot projects
1,000 companies served through our BCAN province wide network
New programs build digital skills

2020

NVBC 20th anniversary
Reports to new ministry: JERI
B.C. economy reboot - COVID-19 programs added to take main st. online, build digital skills, accelerate r&d and early sales
Hiring grants increase from $10k to $20k
2,000 job placements from hiring grants
$3.5M dedicated funding to acquire & expand customer base
$1.5M funding to hire youth with digital skills
2X Delivery capacity of coaching & mentoring