Welcome to this week’s Midweek Memo. In this issue, dive into Andrew Wilkinson’s daily routine and Twitter cha-ching, stew on sustainable tourism with Brian Cant and Bruce Williams, and plenty more.

Now, onto today’s briefing. It’s 770 words, a three-minute read.

-James, @jimmermatthews

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

Meet 3 international entrepreneurs who now call Victoria home

VIATEC’s Venture Acceleration Program (VAP) helps local technology companies accelerate the process of defining a proven business model for sustained profitability. Supported by PacificCan and InnovateBC, the program is a low-cost structured venture development service designed to guide, coach, and grow ambitious early-stage technology entrepreneurs. It is delivered by a team of executives in residence and supported by a provincewide network of mentors.

For some entrepreneurs, though, “local” is a relatively new term when it comes to labelling Victoria. That’s where the Startup Visa program comes in. It is specifically designed for founders or key employees interested in building their head office in Victoria, or by relocating here, and participating in the program for one year.

These are the stories of three such entrepreneurs. We caught up with the trio — Ali Hosseini, co-founder, Podhax; Miad Tavakoli, co-founder, Podhax; and Baback Jafari, co-founder, Lindo AI — to learn more about their experience in the program and how their new hometown is treating them.

🎭️ You're invited: Jason Fried live in Vancouver

Speaking of event invitations, our sister publication Vancouver Tech Journal has a biggie to extend your way:

Jason Fried is the co-founder and CEO of 37signals, the creators of project management software Basecamp and email platform HEY. He also co-wrote the New York Times bestselling book Rework.

On September 21, 2023, Fried joins Vancouver Tech Journal and special guests at the Vogue Theatre for an in-depth conversation on technology, the big ideas changing business, and what it all means for the future of entrepreneurship.

VTJ Live with Jason Fried

When: Thursday, September 21

Where: Vogue Theatre, Vancouver

Tickets: $29-$99 - buy now

📰 More Victoria innovation news

📺 The bigger picture: Brian Cant, CEO of 4VI, and Bruce Williams, CEO of The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, discussed how to take a big picture approach to ensure tourism benefits all on the Chamber Chats podcast.

🎙️ Speaking of podcasts: Shaan Puri and Sam Parr talk with Andrew Wilkinson, the co-founder of Tiny, on the My First Million podcast about how he’s easily making over $200,000 a year on Twitter.

🧑‍💻 Speaking of Wilkinson: Check out his daily routine. 

☕️ Victoria Tech Morning Coffee

Join us and Toast at Fort Tectoria to connect with the Victoria tech community in an informal atmosphere on September 14 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

​You can do it all — check out the space, discover a new career, find your next co-founder, or learn something new. Just remember to register, so our hosts know how many of you to expect.

​This Victoria Tech Morning Coffee is also brought to you by the following Tech Journal partners:

• ​Cosmogence

• ​Alacrity Canada

​And we wanted to give a special thanks too to Victoria Tech Journal's greater corporate community:

• ​Ink LLP

• ​Switchboard PR

• ​Boast

• ​VIATEC

🕴️ Tech jobs of the week

Find your next career:

• Digital Marketing Specialist at Westin Bear Mountain

• Software Engineer at SunTracker Technologies

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

📅 Upcoming events

September 6 | ICT Sector in India: Market and Opportunities: Are you a B.C.-based company looking to explore new horizons and opportunities in the ICT sector in the Indian market? Look no further! The British Columbia Trade and Invest India team is thrilled to invite you to an exclusive webinar.

September 9 | iWIST Crafternoon & Wine Tasting at Chateau Wolff Estate Winery, Nanaimo: In partnership with the Lost Arts Club, iWIST would love it if you joined them for a fun “crafternoon” and wine tasting at Chateau Wolff Estate Winery.

Have an upcoming event? Reply to let us know.

🙋 I need…a connection to theatre fans

A reader is looking for members of the Victoria tech community who are also fans of the theatre. Sound like you? Send an email to [email protected] and we’ll connect you.

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 the same address!