Entrepreneurial Culture Thrives at College of the Rockies

May 4, 2022

When Dr. Paul Tiege joined College of the Rockies (COTR) to launch its Applied Research Office (ARO) in 2021, it was a formidable challenge but one he embraced. Tiege, a research scientist, had previously set up a crops research group at a small agriculture college. He knew how entrepreneurial students flourish when given the chance to put their research skills to work in businesses and industry.

The ARO was established to provide applied research support to COTR faculty members, with administration support, assistance in sourcing and writing grants, and outreach to local businesses. As the ARO matures, new programming has been added, to develop entrepreneurship and innovation capacity, and to keep both COTR students and faculty competitive in an evolving economy. The COTR serves a regional population of close to 83,000 people through its campuses in Cranbrook, Creston, Golden, Invermere, Kimberley and Fernie.

Applied research is the application of science and research to real-world problems, resulting in improvements to products, technologies, and processes. “The Kootenays have a strong entrepreneurial spirit but many of the companies here are too small to conduct applied research on their own,” points out Tiege. “Students with applied research skills can fill that void.”

Start-Up! Launch Provides Entrepreneurial Focus

In January 2022, with $12,500 funding from ETSI-BC, the ARO launched ‘Start-Up!’ — a program aimed at helping students develop their entrepreneurial skills and find the resources they need to start their own businesses. Partners in the Start-Up! initiative include Community Futures East Kootenay and the Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST), whose programs to support innovation are shared through the College.

The initial goal was for a minimum of 10 students to acquire new entrepreneurial skills through the resources of the ARO within two years. By the end of 2021, over a dozen students were impacting business innovation or embarking on their own entrepreneurial ventures.

A broad range of resources is now available to the College’s research students from specialized research information and mentoring from faculty, to entrepreneurial bootcamps. “Start-up Saturdays” explore such topics as principles of entrepreneurship, idea generation, business planning models, and understanding customer needs.

Students Support Local Business Innovation

While some students work on projects when a business approaches the ARO for help, others identify a need in a local company or organization and work on solutions under the guidance of instructors with specialized research expertise. For example, the ARO cultivated a relationship with the Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise (KORE), a local industry group whose members make outdoor adventure gear. This led to a student research opportunity sponsored by Mitacs, a not-for-profit that provides research and training programs throughout Canada. Working with KORE, the student researchers have gained valuable experience studying local businesses and economic development initiatives, interviewing companies and organizations, and compiling and analyzing data before making recommendations.

As the ARO continues to expand, plans include an open working space at the main Cranbrook campus where student entrepreneurs “collide” and work together. A farmer’s market type of co-working space is also being considered, where students can showcase and sell their products, and sponsored pitch competitions are also in the works. An Entrepreneurship and Innovation Coordinator position will be created by mid-2022 to ensure students have the best tools to succeed in the current economic environment and effective partner relationships are maintained.

“With the funding support of ETSI-BC and the resources of our community partners, the ARO is driving a culture of entrepreneurship in the Kootenay region,” says Tiege. “It will create jobs and inspire new ventures that will have long-lasting and measurable economic benefits.”

More News & Stories

Data Diggers – a Community of Practice

March 21, 2024 – We invite you to join the Data Diggers Community of Practice! This is a group of practitioners who dig data, dig digging into data, and want to dig themselves out of data into knowledge and insights.

Thompson-Okanagan Team Takes to the World Stage to Address Workforce Shortages

The Thompson-Okanagan region is a well-known Canadian tourist destination, it is not immune to the shortage of skilled workers experienced in many Canadian communities. International recruitment is considered a key tool for addressing worker shortages in the area. With the support of the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), three major economic development organizations collaborated to market the region at the world’s largest emigration event in Houten, Netherlands in 2023. The initiative has led to an ongoing strategy to attract new talent and help the region grow and thrive.

North Shore Business Improvement Association Validates Return on Investment

Kamloops’ North Shore Business Improvement Association (NSBIA) has grown significantly since its inception, but after almost three decades, it was time to validate its strategic direction and value proposition to members and stakeholders. With the support of the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the NSBIA conducted a Membership Engagement and Return on Investment Project in 2022 which confirmed its good work and where the organization goes next.

Celebrating a Successful Research Funding Partnership

It’s been three years since the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) and Mitacs launched their research funding partnership serving the Southern Interior of BC, and they are excited to share some key outcomes and reflect on future opportunities.

Revitalizing Downtown Hope – Planning for a Resilient Future

Visitors to Hope are discovering that the community is much more than a convenient gas and pit stop off the highway when travelling to and from the Lower Mainland. As a new downtown revitalization strategy rolls out, a more vibrant and engaging downtown area is emerging, drawing both residents and tourist traffic into the area, and creating new economic opportunities. The project was supported with funding from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).

Boston Bar & North Bend Make Plans to Revitalize Economy

The pioneering spirit associated with the early history of Boston Bar and North Bend is evident again. The area was once one of the richest gold mining areas in Canada, later supported by forestry. But after a major mill closed in the 1980s, many people moved away and the economy began to decline. With the support of the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the community conducted an analysis of its needs, strengths, and opportunities, renewing the promise of a strong and sustainable future.

Fostering Entrepreneurship at Post-Secondary Institutions in 2024

January 24, 2024 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) has supported the 6 public post-secondary institutions (PSIs) in the Southern Interior of BC since 2008 with funding of over $7.3 million.

ETSI-BC Spring 2024 Funding Intake Opens March 11

January 17, 2024 – ETSI-BC is pleased to announce Spring Funding Intake is open March 11 – April 12, 2024.

Marketing Campaign Creates a Mountain of Opportunities for Sun Peaks

The momentum continues as Sun Peaks Resort rolls out a marketing and awareness campaign to create a more resilient and sustainable economy in the post-pandemic era. Supported by the Economic Trust of Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the project is attracting more diverse customers with new options for meeting and event space at the world-class Sun Peaks Centre.

Columbia Valley’s Special Events Strategy Builds a Year-Round Destination

Special events have been part of the tourism offering in the Columbia Valley, and they provide significant economic benefits to the region’s economy. During COVID-19, however, several signature events were shut down. Costs were increasing, travel was declining and the area was facing competition from events from other communities. With the support of ETSI-BC, the communities of the Columbia Valley came together to develop an events development strategy that has put the region on course to become a primary event destination.