Welcome to this week’s Sunday Briefing. In this issue, learn about the royal recognition given to Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce CEO Bruce Williams, a new ferry perk for BCAA members, and what you missed if you didn’t attend the 2025 Western Angel Investment Summit.

Now on to today’s briefing. It’s 1,200 words: a three-minute read.

-Emily, [email protected]

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Applications now open for the New Ventures BC Competition

If you’re familiar with the province’s startup scene, then you’ve almost certainly heard of the New Ventures BC Competition. Now in its 25th year, the contest has helped launch some of British Columbia’s most successful tech companies and continues to be a springboard for early-stage startups across the province.

Applications are now open for this year’s competition hopefuls. Interested startups can attend an information session on March 11 and a kick-off networking event on March 27 (open to everyone). The deadline to submit an application is March 31.

Over six months, qualifying startups will participate in expert-led educational sessions and have access to networking opportunities, mentorship, and industry exposure. But not everyone will make it to the finale — there are multiple rounds of cuts before the winning startups are named and prizes are awarded at a ceremony at the end of September.

“New Ventures BC is the province's premier event for helping prepare high-potential B.C. startups for success,”  said Diana Gibson, minister of jobs, economic development, and innovation. “The competition helps our most promising innovators network, expand their knowledge, and most importantly receive funding to grow their operations. While these companies are early stage, many past winners have gone on to become anchors within our tech sector.”

Last year, it was Vancouver-based Timezyx whose product earned first place. The cleantech startup, which provides real-time digital twin technology to help cities and infrastructure adapt to extreme climate events, won the $110,000 Innovate BC First Place Prize and the distinction of being the province’s young company.

Other competition alumni continue to make waves around the world. Ionomr Innovations, a top-10 finalist in 2016, was recently named to the Global Cleantech 100 List for the fourth time for its ion-exchange membranes and polymers. Meanwhile, pH7 Technologies, a top-26 finalist in 2021, has spent the last two years rapidly scaling its venture, which included raising a $16M Series A round in 2023 while being named one of the country’s top startups by LinkedIn. 

This year, the New Ventures BC Competition takes place as part of the Road to Web Summit, which features dozens of events and programs leading up to Web Summit Vancouver (May 27-30).

📰 More Victoria innovation news

👑 We’ll never be royals: Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce CEO Bruce Williams was awarded a King Charles III Coronation Medal by B.C.’s lieutenant governor. The medal is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to Canada or a Canadian province, territory, or community.

⛵️ Wind in my sails: Hullo Ferries announced a new partnership with BCAA, offering discounted fares to BCAA members across the province. BCAA members will receive $5 savings on one-way tickets and $10 savings on roundtrip bookings with Hullo.

😇 I believe in angels: Pieter Dorsman, director of the Angel Forum, shared highlights from the group’s 2025 Western Angel Investment Summit, held in Victoria in February. Photo gallery included!

🕴️ Tech jobs of the week

Find your next career:

• Project coordinator at Iris Dynamics

• Data engineer at MarineLabs

• Animation software engineer at Electronic Arts

Hiring in Victoria? Reply to this email and let us know!

📅 Upcoming events

ABCMI & COAST Innovation Forum | April 15-16

The Association of British Columbia Marine Industries (ABCMI) in partnership with COAST (Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies), is hosting the annual Innovation Forum in Vancouver. This is a great event to understand the latest innovations, technology, science, and research that is shaping the future of B.C.’s marine industry.

Victoria Climate Connections | April 24

Victoria Climate Connections will unite professionals working on climate change science, impacts, mitigation, and adaptation in B.C. for an informal evening of networking. Climate Connections aims to build community amongst Victoria’s climate-solution seekers by bridging the gap across sectors, fostering dialogue about current climate change issues and initiatives, and creating synergies for future collaborative climate change projects. The University of Victoria will welcome climate professionals from municipal and provincial government, industry, non-profits, and climate think tanks.

The 2025 VIATEC Awards | May 1

This event brings the tech community together and take a moment to spotlight and celebrate some of the year’s most notable companies and individuals within Victoria’s $5.9 billion tech sector. For over 23 years, the event has been produced by VIATEC, Victoria’s tech industry association, and known as the VIATEC Awards.

Have an upcoming event? Reply to let us know.

🙋 I need a…

We at Victoria Tech Journal know you, our community, pretty well. Are you searching for someone in your field to have coffee with, a hiring hookup, a lead on local investors, or suggestion for a great Victoria tech tool? Whatever you’re hunting for, let us know. We’ll post it in this section and make it happen.

Email your requests to [email protected].

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