TOGETHER WITH

Welcome to this week’s Sunday Briefing. In this issue:

Now on to today’s briefing.

-Emily, [email protected]

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Greater Victoria's largest multi-sector business conference is back, and this year the conversation is shifting from "what if" to "what's next." South Island Prosperity Partnership is bringing Rising Economy 2026 to the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort on March 10-11, gathering entrepreneurs, innovators, business owners, and civic leaders for two days of fast-paced talks, panels, and interactive sessions on everything from AI to Canada's place in a rapidly changing global economy.

The lineup is a mix of economists, founders, and CEOs, with a candid "Ask Me Anything" session with the mayors of Victoria, Saanich, Sidney, and View Royal thrown in for good measure. Featured speakers include Vancity Chief Economist Judith Bosire, HiBoop CEO Jason Morehouse, and productivity strategist Mike Vardy, among others.

"As long-standing assumptions about how economies and businesses operate are being rewritten — particularly with the uncertainty south of the border — Rising Economy helps leaders gain clarity, learn from each other and move forward with confidence," said Dallas Gislason, Executive Director of Regional Economic Development at SIPP, which has produced the conference for six years. Tickets are on sale now at ourrisingeconomy.com, with early-bird pricing available until February 16.

🏆 Simply the best: Victoria's Redbrick earned a second national workplace honour, this time being named one of B.C.'s Top Employers for 2026, with Chief People Officer Christine Tatham crediting the company's culture of trust and empowerment for the recognition.

🎂 9 to 5: Victoria-based BestHuman founder and CEO Humaira Ahmed marked her company's eighth anniversary by reflecting on the entrepreneurial lessons that shaped the leadership development firm, including the upcoming launch of an AI coaching program for leaders.

🔬 All star: Victoria's VoxCell appointed Graham Craig as Chief Commercial Officer to lead global business development as demand grows for the biotech company's 3D tissue models, which offer a human-relevant alternative to traditional animal testing in drug development.

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February 19-12 | 7th Western Angel Investment Summit

Western Angel Investment Summit returns for its seventh year on February 19-20 in Victoria, bringing together founders, investors, fund managers and ecosystem supporters. Day one focuses on founders with workshops on AI-powered sales generation, advisor sessions and a kickoff social, while day two explores current realities for both founders and investors. General tickets are limited; founders day tickets still available.

March 10-11 | Rising Economy Conference

At Rising Economy 2026, step into two days of bold thinking, sharp insights and possibility-focused conversations at a conference designed to move your organization — and our region — forward. Hear from compelling business thinkers and entrepreneurs, economic and trend experts, innovators and change-makers. Explore shifts that are redefining strategy, talent, technology, leadership and growth. Leave equipped with ideas you can act on Monday, not someday.

April 1 | VIATEC Awards

The VIATEC Awards bring the tech community together to connect, to celebrate, and to shine a spotlight on this year's most notable tech companies and individuals within Greater Victoria's $5.9 billion tech sector. This isn't your average award show – The VIATEC Awards are well known for its elaborate and fun production!.

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.