UBC Okanagan Expands Entrepreneurial Training

April 19, 2023

To date, more than 250 innovators, risk-takers and problem-solvers have developed their entrepreneurial skills through the e@UBCO program. Through this “dedicated incubator,” UBCO students, faculty, staff and alumni learn how to test their startup ideas, build connections and develop the skills needed to create successful ventures.

Sandra Spencer joined UBCO in mid-2022 as Innovation Manager to help take e@UBCO to a new level. Spencer worked in the innovation environment for over 10 years in Alberta and BC. She is past Senior Innovation Advisor with Innovation Canada, and has operated her own consultancy for several years, working directly with startups on raising capital, commercialization and business modelling.

One of the e@UBCO foundational courses is eDiscovery, a five-part workshop series combined with self-directed online training provided by Impact Toolbox. Delivered in partnership with Accelerate Okanagan which focuses on technology driven ventures, eDiscovery helps individuals develop entrepreneurial thinking, whether or not they plan to launch a new business.

Another core program, Mentor2Market provides access to resources that help participants build and validate their concepts by working in teams with experienced mentors. Over 65 hours of mentoring will be provided by 20 mentors in the community during the current 2023 cohort.

New Programming Focuses on Experiential Learning

In 2022, e@UBCO applied to the Economic Trust of Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) for funding to expand its already successful program. The project was a good fit with ETSI-BC and its strategic pillars, including Supporting Business Resilience and Growth, and Developing Human Capital. The ETSI-BC funding has enabled e@UBCO to tweak its existing programming and introduce more experiential, hands-on training. Experiential learning helps to develop an entrepreneurial mindset by bridging the gap between theory learned in the classroom and active participation.

The Geminator for example, is a series of meetups where participants explore ideas about commercialization, entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship (when employees innovate within a business or organization). The e@UBCO Venture Spotlight and Social, first held in November 2022 and again this past March, brings together e@UBCO students, community members and mentors to network while showcasing projects that have evolved out of the Mentor2Market program.

The program also piloted its Startup Sprint event in January, a hands-on weekend that walks participants through the steps and tools of starting a company.. The 3 day program is a “living lab on campus” says Spencer, where participants are supported by a broad range of disciplines and backgrounds from first year students to PhDs. They learn to collaborate and brainstorm, and develop leadership and decision-making skills under intense time constraints. The January workshop received 80 applicants and was delivered at full capacity to 30 people.

Community Outreach Grows

“The last several months have been a transition stage as we created, marketed and delivered new training options and monitored their value to aspiring entrepreneurs,” says Spencer. Two new staff have been hired to support the growing program: Kayla Cartlidge, e@UBCO Program Manager, and a Community Coordinator set to start in April 2023. Entrepreneur in Residence, Ty Summach is on the e@UBCO team part-time.

“We are exploring ways of incorporating entrepreneurial content into other UBCO programs and with clubs and organizations that also promote entrepreneurial development,” adds Spencer. Speaker events have also been held to engage more women in entrepreneurship.

“Entrepreneurs drive the development of new products and services, creating jobs and accelerating economic growth in a region,” points out Laurel Douglas, CEO of ETSI-BC. “The Trust is proud to support e@UBCO in providing timely, relevant training for our future entrepreneurs.”

More News & Stories

A Game Changing Approach to Tourism Marketing in the Columbia Valley

The Columbia Valley, known for its stunning landscapes and welcoming communities, thrives on tourism, with key attractions like Radium Hot Springs, Panorama, and Invermere. The Columbia Valley Tourism Marketing Society (CVTMS) was established to unify tourism marketing and manage the Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT), a crucial funding source for local programs and events. With support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), a cohesive marketing strategy was developed, leading to the launch of the Travel Columbia Valley website and enhanced collaboration among businesses. This unified approach has sparked economic growth and new ventures like Radium Brewing, bolstering year-round tourism and regional development.

Beyond the River – Greater Trail’s Builds a New Tourism Sector

An innovative tourism development project with a buy-local component is providing economic benefits in the Greater Trail area of the South Kootenay region. Diverse stakeholders came together to create the “Beyond the River” campaign which promotes the area’s world-class sport fishing opportunities to attract more visitors throughout the year. Supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the highly collaborative project is increasing tourism capacity, and provides a foundation to support future projects that will help grow the local economy.

Spring 2024 Funding Intake Closes with 43 Applications Received

April 18, 2024 – The ETSI-BC team is pleased to share that we received 43 applications for the Funding Intake that closed on April 12, 2024. The $1.2 million in funding requests is almost double the funding available, so the Regional Advisory Committees and Board of ETSI-BC will have their work cut out for them.

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.