Welcome to this week’s Sunday Briefing. In this issue:
MarineLabs deploys sensors along B.C.'s remote north coast
Vancouver Island tech firms ride Canadian tech wave
Victoria's joni featured in UVic community spotlight
Now on to today’s briefing.
-Emily, [email protected]
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SIPP wins two global awards for tariff response and ocean economy work
Photo: South Island Prosperity Partnership
The South Island Prosperity Partnership has won two awards from the International Economic Development Council, marking the second consecutive year the Greater Victoria economic development agency has taken home both Gold and Bronze honours.
The Gold Award, in the Recovery, Resiliency and Mitigation category, recognized the Rising Economy Taskforce's Igniting Momentum report — released in October 2025 as U.S. tariff threats escalated — which delivered more than 100 recommendations for governments and community organizations and shaped the creation of Rising Economy 2030, Greater Victoria's five-year economic plan.
The Bronze, in the Multi-Year Collaborative Economic Development category, went to COAST, SIPP's ocean economy initiative, which has 600 members, 526 jobs created, and operates a 7,000-square-foot Ocean Innovation Hub in Victoria alongside 8,500 square feet of light industrial space on the Saanich Peninsula.
"Both the Rising Economy Taskforce and COAST depend on Greater Victoria working together across municipalities and sectors," said SIPP CEO Aaron Stone. "In light of escalating tariffs from the U.S., SIPP's focus on diversifying our economy is more vital than ever."
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📰 More Victoria innovation news
🌊 Working for the weekend: Victoria's MarineLabs wrapped up a remote sensor redeployment along B.C.'s north coast — from Hartley Bay through Principe Channel and Hecate Strait — with support from the Gitga'at Nation, before heading to New Brunswick for their next deployment.
🍁 O Canada: A CHEK News story highlighted how Vancouver Island tech companies — including Victoria's cDox and Parksville's social platform EH! — are seeing user growth as Canadians seek domestic alternatives to American tech platforms amid ongoing trade tensions.
🌿 Girl power: UVic profiled joni co-founder Jayesh Vekariya, whose Victoria-based plant-based period care company is working to advance period equity in B.C. through a business model built around systemic, ongoing impact rather than short-term relief.
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🕴️ Tech jobs of the week
Find your next career:
Senior product manager at Blastworks
Business development director at MarineLabs
Technical specialist at IoT Connect
Hiring in Victoria? Reply to this email and let us know!
🗓️ Upcoming events
September 21-25 | Victoria Tech Week 2026
Unlike traditional single-venue conferences, Victoria Tech Week empowers local businesses to open their doors and welcome attendees inside, offering an authentic behind-the-scenes look at Victoria's thriving tech ecosystem. From startup workshops in James Bay to AI panels in downtown office towers and networking sessions in Saanich tech hubs, participants will experience the full breadth of Vancouver Island’s innovation landscape.
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.