The 2018 iGen finalists had an opportunity to do a live pitch to judges on Thursday, June 7. Congratulations to the senior winner Outsource Tutors, and the junior winner Oyster Barrow! The iGen challenge is for grade 7-12 students that want exposure to mentors and learning in innovative sectors of our local economy.
The students gain access to mentors from the local businesses to help them find innovative solutions to real world problems (UN Sustainability Goals).
Students were guided through a start up process to create companies and pitch their ideas to members of the innovation ecosystem in Kelowna. Many young entrepreneurial minds in Central Okanagan Public Schools need coaching, mentorship and opportunity to innovate. The iGen challenge has been created to meet this need.
WHY: The SBIE will feature a tradeshow which will give you the opportunity to speak face-to-face with experts from 20 plus support programs who provide valuable resources to small businesses. Interested in learning about how government support programs can help your business and your clients? Please join us!
In addition to the tradeshow portion of the Expo, you will have the chance to attend two free educational panel sessions!
- Selling to Government (11:00am – 12:00pm): Interested in selling to the public sector? This panel brings together purchasing specialists from different levels of government who will help you understand the processes for government contracting.
- Access to Financing (12:45pm – 1:45pm): Looking for sources of capital? Want us to show you the money? This panel will bring together government representatives who will provide you with information on various financing (loans & grants) programs and resources available to your business.
- Innovation: (2:30 - 3:30) short presentations from programs which support R&D of innovative goods and services, featured programs include; Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP), Mitacs, UBC Okanagan Survive and Thrive Applied Research (STAR) and Accelerate Okanagan.
**Please note that seating at the panel sessions are limited, and on a first-come, first-serve basis.**
This event is being brought to you by the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises, Public Services and Procurement Canada and the Okanagan Regional Library.
To live in such a vibrant community is a gift. Being chosen as one of the 6 finalists to pitch at ChangeUp along side many other amazing socially enterprises was an honour. And winning Judges Choice and the Crowd Pleaser awards made me speechless... For a few days at least I didn't know what to say. Today I break the silence to say "Thank You" from our team here at Start Fresh.
Thank you to Purppl, Valley First and everyone who helped plan and fund the event. One-Big-Table who catered the event, and all of the people who attended. We are excited to have a six month contract with Purppl: the social enterprise incubator and have some attention do detail with our financial from KPMG.
The Okanagan is a place I've come to love. The people in this community have heart. They want to see everyone treated with dignity and respect, feel like they belong, and have access to meaningful employment and healthy food. That is what we are all about at Start Fresh and it's inspiring to hear everyones stories and the work they are going in the community.
Community Futures Central Okanagan seeks a qualified and entrepreneurial Business Advisor to join its dynamic team. Please click on the link below to download the job description. Expression_of_interest_BA_2018.pdf
Calling all new and young(ish and at heart) farmers, and want-to-be-farmers! Young Agrarians is celebrating five years of Winter Mixers in the Okanagan with two days packed with farming skills and networking at Summerhill Pyramid Winery on January 27-28, 2018 in Kelowna. Whether you’re a brand new farmer or have some seasons in your pocket, we've crafted a fantastic program for this year's Winter Mixer that will be sure to sharpen your farm and business skills and build connections with other farmers. Delicious meals, a fun social atmosphere, and farmers sharing their knowledge will be sure to get you inspired, sharpen your farm skills, and build connections in your farming community.
Young Agrarians 5th Okanagan Winter Mixer When: January 27-28th, all day Where: Summerhill Pyramid Winery, 4870 Chute Lake Rd, Kelowna, BC Register: Sliding Scale $65-125
