BC Innovation Council Concludes its #BCGO Tour by Bringing Business Opportunities to Kamloops Tech Innovators

IBM Canada, Rio Tinto, and Venture Kamloops among the presenting companies at the tour's final stop

KAMLOOPS, BC, Nov. 3, 2017 /CNW/ - The BC Innovation Council, a Crown agency of the Province, is promoting innovation across British Columbia through the BC Growth Opportunities Tour (#BCGO), which made its final stop in Kamloops this morning. The six-city 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, providing them with an excellent growth path.

BC Innovation Council's #BCGO Fall 2017 Tour built off the success of the inaugural tour, which took place earlier this year. As a result of the first tour, 600 connections have been made, six cross-sector deals have closed, and over 30 deals are currently under discussion.

"At #BCGO, Kamloops innovators will meet with top industry leaders, providing more opportunities to take a collaborative approach to made-in-B.C. tech," said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology. "Congratulations to Startup Kamloops for being recognized with a Community of the Year Award from Startup Canada. This shows Kamloops' tech sector is gaining traction and helping to grow our economy." 

"BCIC's #BCGO Tour is a great example of the type of innovation exchange work we do," said Carl Anderson, President & CEO of the BC Innovation Council. "Connecting business challenges with local tech solutions helps fuel the local economy and leverages the innovative technology and talented entrepreneurs this province has to offer."

BCIC's #BCGO Kamloops event featured 11 organizations presenting their business challenges, including Rio Tinto, Open Gaming Solutions, and Venture Kamloops, among others. Examples of some of the tech and innovation needs presented included:

• A solution for providing low cost air quality monitors that can accurately measure very low concentrations of SO2 in all seasons, by Rio Tinto
• A need to update millions of contest entries in real-time based on world events, by Open Gaming Solutions
• A need for data collection and analysis to determine lifestyle and quality of life measures for Kamloops, by Venture Kamloops

Kamloops currently has over 140 tech firms that employ nearly 1700 people. Fresh off winning Startup Canada's 2017 Startup Community of the Year Award, the city boasts a growing tech sector that's been buoyed by the work of Venture Kamloops, the marketing and economic development arm of the City of Kamloops, and Kamloops Innovation, a BCIC Acceleration Network partner. Kamloops Innovation offers affordable programs for early stage ventures and supports all initiatives that help grow the Kamloops tech community.  

Kamloops is also home to Thompson Rivers University, which offers tech-focused programming and The Generator, an on-campus entrepreneurial community that's supported by Kamloops Innovation. The Generator provides mentorship, education, venture creation, and seed funding for TRU alumni, students, faculty, and staff.

The #BCGO Fall 2017 Tour was a huge success and sparked connections between companies and innovators all across the province. For more information about the tour or how to get involved with other BCIC initiatives, visit http://bcic.ca.

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