Since 2021, the Township of Spallumcheen has been exploring the development of a regional Agri-Hub to strengthen local food distribution and support agricultural growth. With support from ETSI-BC, the Township is developing a phased business plan to help build a resilient and profitable agricultural sector for the future.
Accelerate Okanagan, Kelowna BC, RevUp Program
Okanagan tech industry continues to grow despite pandemic
Local technology companies use mentors through the Accelerate Okanagan “RevUP” program to realize rapid growth.
The tech industry in the Okanagan is rapidly expanding and growing at a rate of 15% per year. Today, the industry drives over $1.67B in economic activity in the region and employs about 12,500 – a number that is continually increasing. Across all business sectors, technology is streamlining processes, enhancing communications, automating product creation and so much more.
Okanagan tech startups have benefitted from RevUP, a home-grown program designed to support businesses transitioning from startup to rapid growth. Through the RevUP engagement process, company CEO`s, founders and senior leadership team members are paired with experienced business mentors, “Executives in Residence (EIR)”, to guide the creation of sustainable and scalable business systems. To date, the Rev Up program has assisted over 80 companies and put the Okanagan on the map as a leading region for tech talent and investment.
Key drivers for growth stage companies
The RevUP concept (originally titled “Traction” in its pilot period) was designed in 2016 by Accelerate Okanagan in partnership with Wavefront and the Victoria Innovation, Advanced Technology and Entrepreneurship Council. Through a national economic impact study that included consultation with numerous entrepreneurs across the Vancouver, Victoria, and Okanagan regions, it was determined that more hands-on support was need for business between the startup and growth stage. Scalable revenue models, efficient operational procedures, and strategies to secure additional capital, were key drivers of company growth and expansion into new markets.
Partners in RevUP success
To assist in the creation of the next phase in the business accelerator program, Accelerate Okanagan approached the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior of British Columbia (ETSI-BC, formerly Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust) to secure $25,000 in grant funding. As regional economic development trust, ETSI-BC saw the opportunity to support an emerging sector and support business growth and new job creation. This grant was then followed with $50,000 in funding from Innovate BC (formerly BC Innovation Council), $116,000 from NRC-IRAP through Wavefront and self-generated income of $97,500 to bring the RevUP initiative to fruition. The launch of RevUP was one of the first in Canada dedicated to supporting growth-stage businesses.
This combined funding directly allowed Accelerate Okanagan to secure a curated group of EIRs to provide mentorship and innovative business support. EIRs come from a diverse array of industry backgrounds and carry extensive experience in business growth measures. Participating companies are matched with an EIR for a six-month engagement to develop customized plans, to solve business pain points and determine potential areas for opportunity.
Technology emerging in all sectors
Since the RevUP program launch, demand has been evident with an instant influx of companies. Typical participating companies have between 10-50 employees, average revenues of $2M and come from all industry sectors, including agriculture, mining, tourism, and health sciences. To date, the 80 plus participating companies have created over 360 local tech-based jobs and many businesses have expanded into larger offices within the region. These companies are now seen giving back to the community who gave to them through charitable donations, sponsorship opportunities and the hiring of talented, local staff. Global investment into locally based businesses has continued to grow.
Local talent, international buy-In
The growth of the tech industry within the Okanagan through the assistance of programs such as RevUP has attracted people to the region not only for lifestyle, but for career stability. Talent pools are growing, wages are kept competitive within the industry as a whole and the Okanagan is on the global map as a tech-savvy region to not only work…but invest. Most recently, local business and past RevUP participant Bananatag received international buy-in and is now on the world stage providing streamlined internal employee communications.
The RevUP initiative has grown both in impact and scope. Now, several accelerators across the nation including Kamloops Innovation CentreVIATEC (Victoria), Ontario Quintivation and Columbia Basin Trust offer the program through specialized licensing agreements. With the onset of the pandemic, the tech industry has remained one of the least impacted industries and continues to flourish and grow. Accelerate Okanagan has witnessed a steady increase in startup businesses over this past year. The RevUP program has received its highest intake ever of businesses maturing into rapid growth phases. Companies interested in learning more about RevUP can find it at RevUp | Accelerate Okanagan
More News & Stories
New Tourism Strategy Transforms Grand Forks from a Highway Stop to a Destination
The Southern Interior community of Grand Forks has completed a major rebuild and relaunch of its original tourism strategy, shifting the community from being a quick stopping point on Highway 3 to a tourism destination. With support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the strategy served to develop new tourism assets attracting more visitors and generating increased revenue for local businesses.
Sicamous Tourism Strategy Builds a Path for Sustainable Growth
From houseboating to sledding, hiking, biking, and birding, Sicamous is the tourism hub of the Shuswap region. While summer visitors fill Sicamous with activity, off-season visitations drop sharply, prompting the community to pursue a more diversified and sustainable year-round tourism future. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported the District of Sicamous Development Corporation in revitalizing the community’s tourism sector with a dynamic, five-year tourism strategy to 2030.
Forestry Strategy Positions ?aq’am First Nation for New Opportunities
Increased timber harvest allocations for BC’s First Nations are opening the door to new business opportunities for enterprising First Nations communities such as ?aq’am in the East Kootenays. With funding support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), ?aq’am developed a forestry business scan, a strategy to build capacity for projects made possible by the expanded forest tenure. The scan is guiding ?aq’am to increase its role in forestry as it pursues a resilient and sustainable future.
ETSI-BC Welcomes Krista Mallory as Regional Project and Strategic Initiatives Manager
July 29, 2026 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC)) is pleased to announce that Krista Mallory will be joining the organization as its new Regional Project and Strategic Initiatives Manager effective October 1, 2026.
Wayfinding in Barriere for Economic Resilience and Growth
When a major fire destroyed the Tolko sawmill in the North Thompson region near Barriere in 2003, residents and stakeholders rallied to rebuild and redefine the community’s economic future. As the community has evolved, so have the systems that help residents and visitors navigate in and around Barriere, including a multi-phase Wayfinding Strategy launched in 2024. The project, supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is aimed at boosting visitor traffic and attracting more business investment, ensuring a strong and resilient future.
Five-Year Plan Strengthens ?aq’am Community Enterprises
?aq’am Community Enterprises (ACE) is the economic development arm of the ?aq’am First Nation, the largest member of Ktunaxa Nation. Known for its progressive business development goals, ACE undertook a comprehensive review of its strategic priorities. The result is a dynamic new five-year strategic plan that will guide more efficient, tactical, and resilient delivery of ACE’s programs and services. The project was supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).
Thompson-Okanagan Launches New Economic Development Practitioners Network
After a year of work connecting economic development practitioners across the Thompson-Okanagan, the region’s first Economic Development Practitioners Network (EDPN) is now in place. Modelled after the Kootenay Boundary EDPN created in 2014, the Thompson Okanagan EDPN includes community and municipal and First Nations economic development practitioners, Chambers of Commerce, Community Futures and other stakeholders. The group came together for the first time on April 8, 2026, where they learned, shared ideas and information, and further planned future activities. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is committed to supporting both the Kootenay Boundary and Thompson-Okanagan networks of economic development practitioners.
2027-30 Strategic Planning and DAAP 4.39 Updates
June 25, 2026 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is grateful for the input from partners, funding recipients, committee members and other regional stakeholders who have taken the time to help inform our next three-year Strategic Plan for 2027-30. We are also pleased to provide an update on the status of the DAAP 4.39 action item.
ETSI-BC Fall 2026 Funding Intake: Up to $1M Available for Projects
June 18, 2026 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is pleased to announce that its next Funding Intake will launch on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 and close on Thursday, October 1, 2026.