This book, New Pioneers: Stories of 100 BC Women Entrepreneurs is a celebration of the pioneering spirit of 100 contemporary women entrepreneurs from around the province.

The goal of the book was to build that awareness and encourage, influence, inspire, provide role models and motivate women and girls to consider entrepreneurship. The stories in this book showcase the successes and challenges which BC women entrepreneurs have faced. The book also highlights the support these women have received from friends, family members, women’s business networks and business service providers such as ourselves.

If you would like a copy of the New Pioneers Stories of 100 BC Women Entrepreneurs please click on link: www.womensenterprise.ca

Local Technology Businesses Featured

Kelly Acheson & Amber Hayes - Adventure Engine Inc.

When Kelly Acheson and Amber Hayes launched Adventure Engine, a tech company that provides booking management systems to suppliers in the adventure and experiential travel industries, they thought they had the ideal entrepreneurial opportunity.

They hand targeted and defined the niche market: small to mid-size tour operators. Who needed to offer their clients the opportunity to book trips on-line, 24/7. They made the service accessible from anywhere and along with booking management, the program provided clients with custom reporting and client data management. It’s a service that would cost a tour operator hundreds of thousands of dollars if they did it on their own. Plus, it was the only database of its type in the world.

With high expectations for a successful business, Kelly and Amber incorporated in July 2004 and launched live on the Internet in May 2005.

The first bump in the road came when they were turned down for a loan because they were told it was too risky. “Our plan didn’t have proof of revenues,” says Kelly. They fine-tuned their projections and eventually received loans from the BDC and Community Futures.

“Reality set in on what the company could actually do in five years.” Says Kell. “We forecasted high and aren’t there yet. At first we thought we’d have more travel agents interested but it’s growing a lot slower than expected.”

“We’ve evolved the company and identified who our ideal client is and now we can provide for them in every aspect of their business needs,” says Amber. “We still believe we can become world leaders in the adventure travel industry niche, just how we are doing that has changed.”

They are now beginning to reap the rewards of hard work, flexibility and analysis with over 1,000 trips in their database, dozens of clients globally and growing every day.

“We increased our pricing and became consultants offering complete technical solutions with support and service to go along with it. We’ve been nominated for several technology and innovation awards and now enjoy requests for industry expert speaking engagements at global conferences such as the Adventure Travel Trade Association World Summit,” sand Kelly. “We have also successfully worked with Northwest Territories Tourism and Newfoundland Tourism to establish effective marketing and on-line booking solutions.

www.adventureengine.com

BCIC has recently launched two scholarships available for Grade 12 students throughout the province.  These two scholarships are: The TRIUMF High School Fellowship and the BCIC Young Innovator Scholarship Competition.  

TRIUMF High School Fellowship

• For grade 12 students who have a passion for physics
• For those who will be attending a post-secondary institution in September
• 6-week work term at TRIUMF
• $3,000.00 fellowship awarded at completion of work term and report
• One or two fellowships per year

 
BCIC Young Innovator Scholarship Competition

• For grade 12 students interested in studying science, technology, engineering, math, digital arts, digital media, digital design or business
• For those who will be attending a BC post-secondary institution in September
• Create a new idea by mashing together two or more current technologies
• $2,000+ scholarship, $4,000+ scholarship in SIDIT regions
• One scholarship per registered school in BC

MORE

Attachment	Size
2008_triumf_handout.pdf	3.48 MB
BCIC_Young_Innovator_Guidelines.pdf	26.71 KB
TRIUMF_Fellowship_Guidelines_Website.pdf	57.4 KB
Young Innovator.pdf	186.02 KB

Secure By Design Technology Inc, is not your ordinary ISP. The company’s goal is to provide quality Internet services with a focus on Customer Security. “The Internet is a powerful communications medium but is also one that can create security breaches for home and business networks.” says Kirk Ismay. “Unprotected wireless networks are everywhere. We will offer services to help customers to lock them up and secure their personal information.”

A new company in the region, Secure By Design is owned and operated by one of the Kootenay’s premier network security experts, Kirk Ismay, formerly of Net Idea: “We know there is a need for a local Internet provider and want to offer something better while giving our customers peace of mind regarding their Internet connection.” In addition to security services, Secure By Design offers secured service for all of its email, as well as several layers of security for business clients’ web sites. The value of the data being transferred over the Internet is priceless. Most hosting providers and ISP’s offer open servers for ease of use. Secure By Design is different. With a stronger focus on security, customers can rest assured their data is safe.

With the void left by one of Canada’s longest running independent ISP’s, Net Idea, Secure By Design hopes to keep previous Net Idea customers happy under this new company as well as attract those customers who are interested in their own data security needs. The Spirit of Net Idea is still thriving, in fact, Secure By Design is committed to providing the same quality, and personal service you have come to depend on.

For more information, contact Kirk Ismay at 877-373-6121
http://www.secure-by-design.com/

TechSoup Global is honored to announce that, beginning on January 30, 2009, service for Canadian organizations will be managed through our new in-country partner, the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) in Toronto, under the name TechSoup Canada. These services include Canadian product donation programs, content, and community activities. See Transitioning Canada to TechSoup Global for more details.

New Features and Benefits

TechSoup Canada will offer:

• Local and regional technology learning events
• New Canadian-specific technology resources and learning content
• More opportunities to interact on- and off-line with other Canadian tech-curious organizations
• The ability to process TechSoup Stock administrative fees in Canadian currency rather than U.S. dollars

The Learning Center and Community will continue to be available to Canadians, as they are to people from throughout the world. The only change at TechSoup is that users can no longer request products for Canadian charities and libraries.

MORE INFO

Interested in starting a New Business? On EI? OR have you been
on EI in the last 3 years? Orientation Sessions are held every
Second Wednesday morning and explain in detail how the benefit can be accessed as well as providing you with the information needed to apply for the Self Employment Benefit. For more information please register for one of our Orientation Sessions.
Upcoming Orientation Sessions:
January 14, Orientation Session, 9:30 – 10:30 am
January 28, Orientation Session, 9:30 – 10:30 am
February 11, Orientation Session, 9:30 – 10:30 am

Small Business Training Sessions:
Tax Tips from an Accountant, January 12, 2009,
9:00 am to noon, $59.00 per person + tax

Running a Consultant Business, January 14, 2009,
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, $39.00 per person + tax

Managing your Website Using a Content Management
System (CMS), January 27, 2009, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm,
$25.00 per person + tax

Hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to our location via live video conference as well as throughout other locations in BC.

For more details on these or other Community Futures Programs
& Services and to register please visit us on the web
www.communityfutures.com or by stopping by the offices
located on the Second Floor, 843 Rossland Avenue, Trail
(Top floor of RDKB building) or call 250.364.2595, ext. 23.

Two British Columbia teens and an educator will board a plane for Taipei to represent British Columbia and Canada at the annual Taiwan International Science Fair to be held February 8 to 15, 2009. Derek Ling and Cody O’Neil both Grade 11 students at Kelowna Secondary School in Kelowna will be accompanied by Mr. Marlon Brown, a teacher at Dr. Knox Middle School in Kelowna. Derek and Cody’s project Orbital Forcing: An Astrophysical Solution to the Puzzle of Climate Change studies the effects of orbital forcing on the Earth’s climate through the analysis of astrophysical cycles. Based on extensive orbital research and analysis the team has formed a plausible theory relating variations in the Earth’s orbit to long-term climate change, particularly ice ages. In addition, an attempt was made to relate the solar cycle of sunspots to short-term climate change associated with global warming.

The students’ week at the Taiwan Fair will include a home-stay with a Taiwanese family, involvement in cultural activities, presentation to judges and a public exhibition of their work.
Both Mr. Ling and Mr. O’Neil are science fair veterans, and have participated in their local Regional Science Fair and at the national Canada-Wide Science Fair. As Derek commented, “I have a passion to learn, not only academically but also in a cultural sense so having the opportunity to meet new people is always a positive circumstance for me.”

Come spring, hundreds of British Columbia students will present projects for school science fairs. As a result they will develop an appreciation for scientific research as they engage in their own discoveries, prepare displays and present their work. At least 2,500 of these young scientists, from schools throughout British Columbia, will take part in the annual Regional Science Fairs in March and April.

‘Through scientific research, Science Fair participants are able to gain important life and job skills which help reveal where new career opportunities exist’ said Patti Leigh, Executive Director, Science Fair Foundation of British Columbia. ‘Science fairs allow students to stretch their imaginations and intellect, and they also provide a chance for young scientists to network with their peers and with potential mentors.’

Attendance by British Columbian students at the Taiwan International Science Fair is part of an international science fair exchange program established by the Science Fair Foundation of British Columbia. British Columbia regional science fairs are supported by the Science Fair Foundation of British Columbia, a charity and non-profit organization whose vision is to sustain and enhance the science culture of the youth of British Columbia.

About the Science Fair Foundation of British Columbia
The Science Fair Foundation supports science education through the science fair program to foster curiosity and build for the future. The Science Fair Foundation of British Columbia (SFF BC) is a non-profit, charitable organization incorporated in February 1998 to support and promote science fair activity in British Columbia. The Foundation is committed to ensuring ongoing financial support in order to build a stronger and more visible Science Fair Program throughout the province.

To learn more about the Foundation, please visit the website at: www.sciencefairs.ca

Kootenay Association for Science & Technology (KAST) Contract Posting

Business Mentoring & Coaching Program Coordinator

 

Job Description: The Business Mentoring & Coaching Program Developer will be responsible for the organization, coordination and monitoring of KAST’s mentoring and business coaching services.  These services will be offered to technology/technical oriented businesses throughout the West Kootenay-Boundary.

 

A mentoring program has been partially established but needs some development work.  Mentors and mentees will be identified, connected and the progress of the mentorship monitored.  Qualified business coaches and consultants will be identified and, where appropriate, coaching/consulting will be provided to the business.

 

The actual mentoring, coaching and/or consulting will not be the role of the coordinator.  The Coordinator will work independently from either a home or business office, but be in close contact with the KAST office, regularly reporting to KAST’s Executive Director.

 

Terms of Contract:  Part time (est. 30 hours a week), 8 month contract (possible extension); independent home/business office,

                                             

Start Date:  December 2008 as soon as candidate is available

                                             

Contract rate:  $30 - $40/hr  (based on qualifications)

 

Location:  West Kootenay/Boundary, working from an independent home/business office

                                             

Preferred  Qualifications   

1. Relevant experience and/or education
2. Ability to work independently; meet project schedules, time lines and budgets
3. Excellent interpersonal and team skills
4. Strong verbal and written communications and reporting skills
5. Strong research skills
6. Small business insight and acumen
7. Valid BC driver’s license and access to a vehicle
8. Excellent computer skills, including Office applications (Word, Excel),  Internet applications and email

 

How to Apply:  Resumes & cover letters can be mailed to KAST at Box 119, Rossland, BC, V0G 1Y0 or emailed to kelvin@kast.com.

                                             

Date Posted:  November 21, 2008

Closing Date:  December 8, 2008

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is Canada's primary agency supporting research in the natural sciences and engineering.
This year NSERC will invest nearly $200 million of its $1 billion budget in a suite of partnership programs that provide both R & D and student support. Utilizing these programs can provide your company with an opportunity to collaborate with BC's vibrant post-secondary research community.

NSERC support can assist you to:

1)    Attract Highly Qualified People
a.    Industrial R & D Fellowships permit you to hire doctoral graduates at minimal cost.
b.    Industrial Post Graduate Scholarships let you collaborate with talented master's and doctoral students.
c.    Undergraduate Student Research Awards enable you to hire top undergraduate students quickly and easily.

2)    Expand know-how, create opportunities and find solutions
a.    Research Partnership Agreements let you partner with NSERC and federal government labs to undertake a focused R & D project.
b.    Idea to Innovation Program helps you commercialize new concepts that originate in post-secondary institutes.
c.    Collaborative Research and Development Grants help you conduct, in partnership with a university researcher, a focused R & D project.
d.    Strategic Network and Strategic Project Grants allow you to participate in large scale research projects and reduce the risk associated with leading-edge research.
 
3)    Build long-term relationships with universities
a.    Industrial Research Chairs let you participate in a long-term significant research program.

This suite of programs provides multiple opportunities for your company to participate in diverse projects across a wide range of the R & D spectrum.

Please contact Rick Warner (604-666-8811) or Pam Giberson (604-666-8814) to discuss the various ways that NSERC can assist your company or visit www.nserc.gc.ca.

As a KAST Member you are also an automatic member of BCTIA - Brisith Columbia Technology Industry Association.

Exclusive BCTIA member business services

These business services are exclusive to BCTIA members. Start using them today!
 
BC Tech Group Benefits plan

On behalf of its members, the BCTIA has arranged a volume purchasing agreement for the purchase of group benefits.

Whether you are a company of 2 or 2,000, the BC Tech Group Benefits plan can meet the unique needs of your company and save you money through the collective negotiating and bargaining power of our large group.  You retain the flexibility to choose your own plan design. Save at least $5,000 on group health benefit costs, based on a 10-person company.

For more information, a review of your current plan or a new plan quote, please contact Ingrid Gailler, Morneau Sobeco Group Benefits Consulting, at 604-642-5221 or lgailler@morneausobeco.com.
 
Save on your conference calling costs

BCTIA is pleased to provide a unique audio conferencing program for our members:

    * 300 FREE Minutes of Phone Conferencing
    * 14 Days of Unlimited Web Presentations

ConferTel ensures simple account set-up, international calling and one number access 100% of the time.

Experience the difference - sign up to receive your 300 free minutes and 14 days of unlimited web presentations.

BCTIA member only special rates:

    * Toll free access - 12 cents per minute
    * Web presentations - 10 cents per minute

Contact ConferTel directly at 866-930-4500 for more information on special BCTIA member pricing.

BCTIA MEMBER INFO

CanSIA Solar Conference 2008

The Canadian Solar Industries Association was formed in 1978 to serve the interests of Canada's solar thermal industry, and was known as the CSIA. The Canadian Photovoltaic Industries Association (CPIA) was formed in 1989 to represent the interests of the new PV industry. Due to cutbacks of financial support from the federal government in the early 1990s the two associations, with common goals and utilizing the same energy source as the basis of their technologies, joined together in 1992 to promote the professional and practical use of solar technologies in Canada. CSIA merged with CPIA in 1992, and the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) has existed in this form since then.

CanSIA is a federally registered not-for-profit association whose membership is comprised of individuals, companies and governments sharing an interest in solar technology. As set out by CanSIA's bylaws it is represented by an Executive Committee (comprised of President, Treasurer, Secretary and Vice-President), which is elected from members of the Photovoltaics and Solar Thermal Boards. These two boards comprise four elected Directors each (four each from the PV and Solar Thermal Divisions). Term for board members is two years with half of the director seats elected by ballot each year prior to the Annual General Meeting.