BC Innovation Council Brings Companies Looking for Innovative Tech Solutions to Victoria
12 companies presented their market-driven challenges to over 100 local innovators at third
stop on BCIC's BC Growth Opportunities Tour
VICTORIA, Oct. 13, 2017 /CNW/ - The BC Innovation Council, a Crown agency of the Province, is promoting regional innovation across British Columbia through the BC Growth Opportunities Tour (#BCGO), which stopped off in Victoria this morning. The tour aims to grow regional economies across the province by connecting companies with business challenges to local innovators. Solving the business challenge gives the local innovators entry to an immediate market for that type of solution, providing them with an excellent growth path.
#BCGO Fall 2017 is looking to build off the success of the inaugural tour, which took place earlier this year. Since February, over 600 connections have been made, six cross-sector deals have closed, and over 30 deals are currently under discussion.
"The #BCGO tour is paving the way for increased collaboration between local businesses and innovators in the Greater Victoria region," said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology. "These collaborations give our innovators opportunities to grow, in turn boosting our regional economy and creating jobs for B.C. people."
"The goal of the #BCGO tour is to help discover the needs of industry, and match those real market needs with innovative solutions developed right here in BC" says Carl Anderson, President & CEO of the BC Innovation Council. "There's so much talent and entrepreneurial spirit here in Victoria, making the potential for game changing innovation very exciting."
#BCGO Victoria featured 12 presenting organizations, which included IBM Canada, Rio Tinto, the Ministry of Citizens' Services and other regional tech enabled companies. Examples of some of the business challenges presented included:
Open Gaming Solutions presented a need to update millions of contest entries in real-time based on world events.
BC Lottery Corporation presented a need to engage with non-traditional partners more effectively to help bring new gaming content to market.
Schneider Electric presented a need to convert more leads into customers by using automation to qualify web leads and direct relevant searches to solutions that match criteria.
The tech sector is one of Victoria's leading employers, with over 330 firms employing nearly 4,000 people.
VIATEC, a BCIC funded partner for the BCIC Venture Acceleration Program, has worked to promote and grow the Victoria tech sector since 1989. Victoria is also home to three post-secondary institutions with tech-focused programming, including University of Victoria, Camosun College, and Royal Roads University.
#BCGO Fall 2017 will continue next week in Surrey for the fourth stop on the tour. For more information about the remaining #BCGO events, click here.
October 20th – Surrey
October 27th – Kelowna
November 3rd – Kamloops
About the BC Innovation Council (www.bcic.ca)
The BC Innovation Council, a Crown Agency of the Province of BC, accelerates the growth and success of BC companies by providing resources and market opportunities for applied innovations that solve challenges and drive competitiveness in BC industries. BCIC is fostering the growth of companies that generate revenue, produce high-paying skilled jobs and drive economic development in BC.
SOURCE BC Innovation Council
Jamil A. Karim, Marketing & Communications Manager, BC Innovation Council, [email protected], 604 602 5248
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