TOGETHER WITH

Welcome to this week’s Midweek Memo. In this issue, quantify Q2 funding in B.C., tease some hot takes on AI companies, stew on streaming media outfits, and plenty more.

Now, onto today’s briefing. It’s 759 words, a three-minute read.

-James, @jimmermatthews

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iWIST’s interconnected Island

Island Women in Science and Technology (iWIST) is throwing a party, and you're invited.

Coming up on August 11 is the organization’s highly-anticipated summer get-together. Hosted at Bar500 in Victoria’s Oswego Hotel, the evening will see the Island’s STEM community gather for an evening of networking, engaging conversations, and high-quality canapés, under the theme of “future-powered possibilities.”

iWIST was originally founded in 2011 by a quartet of women that were looking for networking opportunities. It’s an autonomous, member-run, Victoria-based non-profit that now boasts 11 board members and five advisors. All of its events are held by this group with the help of volunteers. They originally held informal meetups, inviting contacts to join. Eventually, these small meetups grew into larger-scale events.

The summer party is one of iWIST’s flagship offerings, and it’s the organization’s latest effort in community building. iWIST’s mission is to support women and allies in STEM by building a trusted community that promotes and facilitates access to peer connection and individual development. As the STEM sector and Island tech continues to evolve, iWIST aims to support and encourage women to engage with and thrive in the field.

Women, trans, and non-binary folks, as well as male-identifying allies, are all welcome at iWIST’s events and fundraisers. In addition to connecting folks from those groups, the organization hopes its events will bring together the whole Island.

This notion hits close to home (literally) for iWIST co-chair Louise Wilkinson, who is based in Ladysmith. She feels there is a lack of connective tissue. “There's just nothing holding us all together,” she said. “We're looking to be a connector for the whole region.”

The organization’s co-chair, president, and CEO Tamara Summers echoes this sentiment, reminding me that iWIST’s mandate is to connect folks all over Vancouver Island. To do that, the organization is looking to add a couple more events to its roster, increase its membership, link up with more sponsors, and grow its connections. On that note: “We're looking for folks to come out and reach out to both Louise and I to introduce themselves.”

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📰 More Victoria innovation news

💰 Crunch the numbers: Briefed.in, a public and independent record of Canadian technology financing rounds, released its stats on Q2’s funding and deals in B.C.

🤖 Crunch time: Dan Gunn, the CEO of VIATEC, discussed what AI companies need to do to grow with Harbour Digital Media owner John Juricic.

🕴️ Tech jobs of the week

Find your next career:

• Accounting Technician at Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa

• Marketing Director at Salonmonster.com

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

📅 Upcoming events

August 3 | You do you! How originality (aka your EVP!) drives attraction and retention: If the term “quiet quitting” makes your blood run cold, join us for this workshop on creating exceptional Employee Value Propositions.

August 11 | iWIST Summer Party: Prepare to be inspired as Victoria's STEM community gathers for an evening of networking, engaging conversations, and high-quality canapés.

Have an upcoming event? Reply to let us know.

🙋 I need a… few connections in the streaming media space

A Victoria Tech Journal reader is looking for networking opportunities in streaming media. What are the top Island-based companies? Which local leaders should she connect with? Send an email to [email protected] with your leads.

And, as always, 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].