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Canada has an extensive range of research centres, food incubators, accelerators and labs supporting food and beverage innovation through the research they do and/or the services they offer. Each week throughout 2023, we’re highlighting an organization that’s supporting food innovation in Canada.
Mission: Innovate BC is a crown agency with a mandate to foster innovation in the province and help create a thriving, sustainable and inclusive innovation economy.
Focus: The agency works to foster innovation across the province and bolster the growth of the local economy by delivering a wide range of programs that help companies startup, scale, access talent, develop new technology, and commercialize.
Services: Innovate BC designs, manages and oversees a number of programs either delivered directly and or indirectly through delivery partners such as its network of accelerators. Programs are focused on growth, talent and tech adoption, and include the Integrated Marketplace initiative, the ScaleUp program, and the Venture Acceleration Program. Other resources include its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Hub, its Job Board, and numerous case studies. Innovate BC also collects data and research, and works to forge strategic industry and community partnerships that create more opportunities for BC innovators.
What you need to know: Innovate BC partners with organizations throughout the province to encourage collaboration and growth of the innovation ecosystem. Partners include Canada’s Digital Technology Supercluster, Genome British Columbia, Mitacs, MIDAS Labs and the BC Tech Association.
Notable News: In September 2023 Innovate BC unveiled Capital Compass BC, an interactive data platform developed in partnership with InBC, PacificCan, and New Ventures BC. The new tool is a resource for entrepreneurs, investors and other stakeholders to access funding-related resources and connect with innovative BC businesses and startups.