Welcome to this week’s Sunday Briefing. In this issue, read about TEDxVictoria’s return, how you can participate in VIATEC’s Economic Impact Study, the evolution of Barnacle Systems, and ultra-light materials from Aluula Composites.

Now onto today’s briefing. It’s 618 words: a three-minute read.

-Emily, [email protected]

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TEDxVictoria is back

Nine years since its last appearance, TEDx is returning to Victoria, supported by local tech company Redbrick as the event’s presenting sponsor.

This year’s theme, “it’s up to us,” will bring Victoria together to challenge inaction and encourage personal, local, and global change.

“Victoria is a uniquely close-knit community brimming with diverse talents, backgrounds, and perspectives,” said Marco Pimentel, CMO of Redbrick and TEDxVictoria organizer. “There’s a deep need for connection, and I think TEDx is exactly the event to bring our community together.”

TEDxVictoria is a full-day event, hosting speakers, live performances, interactive community exhibitions, and an opportunity to network. Speakers will be revealed in March, but attendees can expect the TEDxVictoria stage to feature a lineup of 12 dynamic speakers and performers sharing their research, innovative concepts, personal stories, and transformative experiences.

Applications for speakers are now open and tickets to attend TEDxVictoria are on sale at early bird pricing until March 15.

🏙️ Community catchup, powered by VIATEC

Meet a VIATEC member: Kinsol

It’s all in the name. Inspired by the Kinsol Trestle bridge in Shawnigan Lake, Kinsol serves as a bridge between your data and the information you need to know. They’ve got it all covered, from the latest machine learning to big data techniques in natural language processing, recommenders and computer vision.

The Kinsol team is passionate about creating and applying intelligent hardware and software in ways which lead to elegant and successful solutions for our partners.

📰 More Victoria innovation news

📣 Tell me what you want: VIATEC announced the launch of their Economic Impact Study survey, which gives local innovators the chance to share feedback on Victoria’s tech ecosystem. The deadline to submit feedback is March 22, 2024.

⛵️ Rock the boat: Barnacle Systems’ Brandon Wright shared the story of how his company, inspired by the need to remotely monitor his own, grew to provide monitoring services for the Canadian coast guard and the navy.

🎒 I would walk five hundred miles: Victoria’s Aluula Composites has a hand in a new, super-light hiking backpack made by fellow B.C. company Durston Gear. Aluula uses chemistry and unique manufacturing techniques to develop light, durable, and environmentally friendly materials.

🕴️ Tech jobs of the week

Find your next career:

• Intermedia Software Developer in Test at Redbrick

• Director, Science at Ocean Networks Canada

• Inside Sales Representative (ISR) at Smart Dolphins IT Solutions

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

📅 Upcoming events

Feb 22-23 | 5th Western Angel Investment Summit in Victoria

Join days of fun, networking, socializing, company pitches, speakers and panelists. Not sure what to expect? Check out highlights from the 2023 Summit.

March 8 | International Women's Day: Building Bridges to Belonging: Inspiring Inclusion

This International Women’s Day, Women on the Rise is hosting a collaborative event, organized by the chapter leads of Women on the Rise, Women in Leadership, WNORTH, CHIWARACo, Women’s Equity Lab, Girlboss UVic, and iWIST.

Join a day of interactive panel sessions, intentional networking, a standup comedy act, food + drink and more.

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.

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.