Idea to Launch
College-focused workshops in Nelson and Cranbrook for ages 16-30 covering entrepreneurship and skill-building seminars tailored to industry sectors

The Hub for Kootenay Technology
Sourced from website
The Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST), established in 1998, is a critical economic driver and innovator in southern BC’s Kootenay region. KAST's mission is to foster inclusive economic opportunities and job creation through science, technology and innovation.
Type
Not-for-Profit
Founded
1998
Regions
British Columbia (BC)
Industries
Stages supported
Services offered
Refining and expanding venture growth and entrepreneurial competencies and create the connections across innovation ecosystem
Sector-agnostic (broad industry focus). Higher accountability signals (equity/paid programs, later-stage focus).
DisclosureBAI type is CAIN’s inferred classification based on available data. It has not been confirmed by the member unless otherwise indicated.
Learn more about the four BAI types →Idea to Launch
College-focused workshops in Nelson and Cranbrook for ages 16-30 covering entrepreneurship and skill-building seminars tailored to industry sectors
Kootenay Venture Network
A group of accredited investors who invest in early-stage technology companies based in the Kootenay Region
Kootenay Youth Build-A-Business Program
For ages 13-18, designed to empower the next generation of innovators with skills and confidence to turn ideas into impactful businesses
Startup Launch
Career training, upskilling, and networking for startups and tech-innovators with a focus on technology and innovation
Venture Acceleration Program
Helps technology companies and entrepreneurs transform their tech ideas into reality through mentorship and connections with like-minded entrepreneurs
Youth Opportunities
Programs for youth aged 5-17 to build skills, discover passions through interactive play, and learn about science, tech innovation and entrepreneurship
Sourced from website

Vancouver, British Columbia
Empowered incubates and accelerates driven entrepreneurial leaders capable of building outstanding startups that bring customers and institutional capital knocking on the door. Our unique model incubates talented Canadian entrepreneurs and Foreign entrepreneurs and connects their start-ups with international customers. We invest seed capital and time in the best scalable start-ups so that our start-up founders can aggressively pursue their revenue goals.

Kelowna, British Columbia
Located in Kelowna, BC, and serving the Okanagan community. We give entrepreneurs the mentorship, connections, and community they need to build technology-driven ventures. As the Okanagan tech community and companies within it continue to grow, so does our support model. Coined ‘Continuous Acceleration,’ we deliver unique programming for different stages of growth. The reality is, each stage of the entrepreneurial process demands a different set of tools and we are constantly iterating in an effort to meet those needs.

Vancouver, British Columbia
Innovation Rooted in Tradition, Wealth Built in Community
The Fireweed Institute is an emerging virtual and land-based Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Entrepreneurship & Innovation, upholding the vision of a robust and thriving entrepreneurship ecosystem and equitable Indigenous participation in the global economy.

Nanaimo, British Columbia
Innovation Island Technology Association (IITA) is a regional partner of the BC Acceleration Network. We deliver the Innovate BC, Venture Acceleration Program (VAP) to Island communities outside of greater Victoria, including the Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast. IITA also facilitates other programs such as the DER3 Program (created and launched on Vancouver Island) and other Innovate BC Programs to qualifying clients and applicants including programs and services for NRC-IRAP. Our mission is to support entrepreneurs to start and grow technology companies by providing them with programs and resources they need to succeed. We support business and entrepreneurs build, grow and stay.