Welcome to this week’s Sunday Briefing. In this issue:
MarineLabs spotlighted by CBC
VIATEC opens Board of Directors nominations
COAST seeks ocean ventures for AI readiness program
Now on to today’s briefing.
-Emily, [email protected]
By the way, if you're not already subscribed, you can fix that here.
⭐️ Who are Victoria’s best and brightest?
We’re running a new spotlight series sharing the stories of the amazing people and companies that make up Victoria’s tech community. Tell us who needs to be on the list (yourself included!) by replying to this email.
Marine Labs CEO Scott Beatty on a Hullo ferry.
Community Spotlight: Joni
We’re shining a light on the incredible tech talent right here in Victoria, B.C. Through our Community Spotlight series, we’ll be profiling some of the amazing organizations, innovators, and startups that are helping shape the future of technology on the island and beyond. From cutting-edge software to impactful social enterprises, stay tuned as we celebrate the people and ideas driving our local tech scene forward.
Today, we’re featuring Jayesh Vekariya, co-founder and CEO of Joni.
What inspired you to start this company?
I grew up in a small township in India where poverty was everywhere, so I understand what it means to go without. But when I came to Canada to pursue my MBA, I was shocked to learn that period poverty exists here too—1 in 3 under the age of 25 can’t afford period care. That just didn’t sit right with me.
The other part of my inspiration is deeply personal. My mother was an entrepreneur. When my father passed away, she started a textile business to support our family. But she didn’t stop there—she hired and empowered women in our village too. With Joni, I’m honouring the women who raised me. This company is about making sustainable period care that’s good for people, good for the planet, and good for our communities. That’s why we give back 5% of every purchase toward period equity across Canada.
What’s a real-world example that best showcases the value of what you’ve built?
Imagine being caught off guard by your period at work or school with no products in sight. It’s still happening every day. People leave meetings, skip class, go home early—it’s not good for their health, their confidence, or their opportunities.
Our dispensers change that. By offering free, high-quality period care right where it’s needed, organizations can reduce absenteeism and support inclusivity in a meaningful way. Honestly, we have toilet paper in every washroom—why not pads and tampons? It’s a basic need. The cost to provide it is minimal, and the impact is massive. It’s a simple decision with powerful results.
🗳️ Question of the Week
What’s the biggest barrier to scaling a tech company in Victoria?
SPONSORED BY REED POPE
Startup legal services
We are excited to build upon Reed Pope’s longstanding ties to the Victoria tech community by providing specialized startup legal services that previously might have required looking to Vancouver or beyond.
Our firm is committed to the growth of Victoria technology companies, and our goal is to be a trusted local resource that helps local companies thrive.
📰 More Victoria innovation news
⛵️ Smooth sailing: Victoria-based MarineLabs was featured in a CBC segment showcasing how the company uses artificial intelligence to improve weather forecasting.
👋 Hello, it’s me: VIATEC put out a call for nominations to its 2025–26 Board of Directors, inviting members to help shape the future of Greater Victoria’s tech sector.
👀 Still haven’t found, what I’m looking for: COAST is looking for the last few participants for its Blue AI: Readiness Assessment for the Blue Economy program. The project will give 20 ocean ventures the opportunity to work closely with AI deployment specialists to determine whether and how AI might supercharge their business operations.
Want to reach Victoria tech leaders? Advertise in the Victoria Tech Journal to get in front of founders, investors, and innovators. Contact [email protected] to learn more.
SPONSORED BY THE RUNDOWN AI
Learn AI in 5 minutes a day
What’s the secret to staying ahead of the curve in the world of AI? Information. Luckily, you can join 1,000,000+ early adopters reading The Rundown AI — the free newsletter that makes you smarter on AI with just a 5-minute read per day.
🕴️ Tech jobs of the week
Find your next career:
Product manager, mobile power solutions at Go Power
Oracle Fusion senior business systems analyst at BC Pension Corporation
Executive director, application delivery and innovation at Advanced Solutions
Hiring in Victoria? Reply to this email and let us know!
SPONSORED BY REED POPE
We are excited to build upon Reed Pope’s longstanding ties to the Victoria tech community by providing specialized startup legal services that previously might have required looking to Vancouver or beyond.
Our firm is committed to the growth of Victoria technology companies, and our goal is to be a trusted local resource that helps local companies thrive.
📅 Upcoming events
What lurks at the heart of galaxies? How do we study what we can’t see? Join Dr. Chelsea Spengler for a journey into the cosmos, exploring a career in astronomy and astonishing objects like supermassive black holes.
Join fellow CEOs for an interactive breakfast roundtable exploring what it really takes to build a high-performance culture rooted in accountability. In a time when expectations are shifting and teams are stretched, how can CEOs foster clarity, ownership, and consistent follow-through without micromanaging?
This workshop series has been developed specifically for engineers, designers, planners, consultants, educators, scientists, managers, and leaders seeking to navigate climate complexity, revolutionize the way they approach systems change, and integrate regenerative design principles into the fabric of their work.
Have something or someone we should know about?
Reply or email [email protected] so we can work together to spotlight the lesser-known stories of Victoria's tech ecosystem.