Welcome to this week’s Midweek Memo. In this issue, meet local women entrepreneurs building tech solutions in B.C.'s capital, learn how you can attend the first Victoria Tech Journal Morning Coffee, and catch up on a busy week for the local innovation ecosystem.

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A spotlight on the women leading Victoria's tech scene

Happy International Women's Day! Here at Victoria Tech Journal, we're proud to amplify the work of women in our local tech ecosystem. Our last roundup of women-led businesses to watch was in 2022, and since then, we've been lucky to come across the work of more inspiring leaders. From plant-based seafood manufacturing to using virtual reality to address poverty, here's how women in the region are making a big impact.

Island Women in Science and Technology (iWIST) is a non-profit that brings together women and allies in STEM on the Island, co-chaired by Tamara Summers and Louise Wilkinson.

Tracy Smith-Carrier, an associate professor at Royal Roads University, is working on a virtual reality poverty simulation in collaboration with members of the Participatory Action Research team on Vancouver Island to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Rootd is an app that supports individuals through anxiety and panic attacks, with 2.4 million downloads to date, thanks to founder Ania Wysocka.

Save Da Sea is led by founder and CEO Aki Kaltenbach and offers plant-based seafood such as lox and tuna salad — without the fish.

Nyoka is a biotech venture spearheaded by cofounder and CEO Paige Whitehead that engineers proteins to create light, with aims to replace toxic light sources such as those found in glowsticks.

RFDM Solutions, a business technology solutions firm, provides full-stack CRM, marketing, and web design services thanks to chief operating officer Karren LeGear.

Are there other women in Victoria you want to see featured next? Let me know who — email me at [email protected].

You're invited: Victoria Tech Morning Coffee | Mar 10

On Friday, join us at Fort Tectoria between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. to connect with the Victoria tech community in an informal atmosphere.

Check out the space, discover a new career, find your next co-founder, or learn something new – you can do it all at our upcoming coffee meetup.

Please register so our hosts can ensure the best experience for us all. Plus, we'd like to say a huge thank you to:

• Food and beverage sponsor: Good Earth Bay Centre

• Space sponsor: VIATEC

📰 More Victoria innovation news

🖥️ What's in store for Victoria tech? William Johnson, founder of the Vancouver and Victoria Tech Journals, writes about the opportunity he sees in Victoria tech following his talk at the Western Angel Investment Summit. Become a Vancouver Tech Journal member to read the full piece.

👩‍💻The fight for female founders: Glynnis Vaughan of Women's Equity Lab was mentioned by Monique Morden from TIMIA capital in her article highlighting how female founders can achieve equality. Take a look.

💰 Community spotlight: Worldline talks to Victoria Tech Journal about how the company "humanizes" payment services, as the technology partner of choice for software providers across over 60 industries. Read more.

📺 Doing business in the United States? Bill Lee, vice president of global professional services at VECIMA Networks, writes about how service providers can make use of Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program (BEAD) funding in the United States. Learn more.

🎤 A new yearly tradition: Royal Roads University hosted its first annual TedxRoyalRoadsU, featuring talks on AI, preventative care, and conversing with our 88-year-old selves. Get inspired.

👩🏻‍💼Victoria tech moves

Major personnel changes, including promotions, hires, and departures:

• Audette has hired Bethany Gillingham as Product Delivery Manager and Shyra Craig as Marketing Specialist.

• Vancouver Island Life Sciences has appointed Fred Haynes and Paul Stinson as two new members to its board of directors.

🕴️ Tech jobs of the week

Find your next career:

• Marketing Lead at Cuboh

• Associate Product Manager at Rooof

• Head of Capital Markets Audit at BCI (British Columbia Investment Management Corporation)

• .NET Framework Developer at Megabyte Programming Services

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

📅 Upcoming events

March 10: Victoria Tech Morning Coffee

March 8: Rise Up: Women Leaders Making an Impact

March 9: STEMStruck by Women's Equity Lab and iWIST

March 11: Battlesnake Tournament & Workshop by UVic AI

March 15: COAST Talks: Weathering Change – How Ocean Tech Supports Climate Security

March 16: Health Tech Nights Sponsored by Vancouver Island Life Sciences

March 18: iWIST Wellness Wander at Mount Doug

Have an upcoming event? Reply to let us know.