Welcome to this week’s Sunday Briefing. In this issue, read about the return of the New Ventures BC Competition, the Island’s mobile businesses, what may be the world’s briefest retirement, and a trip across the Atlantic Ocean.

Now onto today’s briefing. It’s 590 words: a three-minute read.

-Emily, [email protected]

By the way, if you're not already subscribed, you can fix that here.

New Ventures BC is back with $250K for startups

The New Ventures BC Competition is back and looking for innovative Victoria startups to compete for over $250,000 in cash and prizes. Presented by Innovate BC and now in its 24th consecutive year, the competition invites startups from across British Columbia to apply for the province’s largest and longest-running tech competition.

Over the years, numerous Island companies have participated, including Joni, Asset Market, VoxCell BioInnovation, LetHub, and Rootd.

“The New Ventures BC Competition presented by Innovate BC connects the most innovative, early-stage companies in the province with the knowledge and financial backing they need to advance and succeed on the global stage,” said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. These are the types of companies keeping our province at the forefront of the tech world while helping to solve some of today’s most pressing challenges. I can’t wait to see what new innovations and solutions they come up with next.”

Over the next six months, startups will go through several rounds of the competition to get their hands on $250,000 in cash and prizes. Competitors will also gain access to a wide range of support, including in-person events, mentorship, workshops, and a community of like-minded founders. 

Applications are open now and close on April 11.

📰 More Victoria innovation news

🚙 I just can’t wait to get on the road again: In last week’s Chamber Chat, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce CEO Bruce Williams met with three Chamber members who have taken their businesses on the road.

👋 This ain’t goodbye: Victoria entrepreneur Jason Morehouse made it all of one day into his retirement before launching mental health care startup HiBoop! Morehouse’s new venture provides comprehensive, science-backed mental health assessments to individuals and healthcare providers.

⛵️ Under the sea: Julie Angus, co-founder and CEO of Open Ocean Robotics, joined the Underwater Technology Podcast to discuss her experience as the first woman to row across the Atlantic Ocean and the growth of Open Ocean Robotics.

🕴️ Tech jobs of the week

Find your next career:

• Intermediate Software Developer at VertiGIS

• Manufacturing Assembler at First Light Technologies

• Full Stack Developer at Alegro AI

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

📅 Upcoming events

April 4 & 22 | The Building Blocks of Black Inclusion at Work

Join an in-depth workshop in partnership with the Black Women’s Business Network.

This will be a meaningful three-hour session with a focus on sharing practical tools and resources, highlighting what leaders can do to utilize EDIB related practices to better support Black professionals.

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.

This week:

The Consulate General of France in Vancouver is looking for ocean tech companies whose technologies enhance our understanding of and ability to protect the ocean. The deadline for expressions of interest is April 15.

Email your requests to [email protected].

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.