Welcome to this week’s Midweek Memo. In this issue, learn about a training program to help optimize your sales funnel, why B.C’s most economically resilient cities are on the Island, and insights from the recent Rising Economy conference in Victoria.

Now on to today’s briefing. It’s 671 words: a three-minute read.

-Emily, [email protected] 

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Tech dominates 10 to Watch Awards

The Victoria community came together earlier this month to celebrate Douglas Magazine’s 10 to Watch, an awards program that recognizes 10 businesses less than three years old that demonstrate exceptional potential for growth and success in their field.

“The 10 to Watch Awards recognize local entrepreneurship and the innovators who have pushed boundaries to create some of this region’s most exciting new businesses,” said Lise Gyorkos, president of Page One Publishing, publishers of Douglas magazine.

More than half of this year’s winners are technology companies, including Swordfish Energy, a cleantech company developing underwater turbines, and mental healthtech company HiBoop, which has digitized mental health assessments for healthcare professionals.

The winners were chosen by an independent six-person panel made up of local business leaders.

📰 More Victoria innovation news

😍 You just can’t run from the funnel of love: Registrations opened for Alacrity’s CRM Horizons training and advisory program, which features two streams: an online bootcamp and a one-on-one advisory service to help B.C. businesses optimize their funnels through the customer relationship management.

🏝️ Islands in the stream: The top three cities on BCBusiness’s list of the province’s most economically resilient cities are all on Vancouver Island. In order, Sidney, Langford, and Central Saanich took top spots.

☀️ Here comes the sun: Writer Aaron Nelson put pen to paper to share insights from the recent Rising Economy 2025 conference, hosted by the South Island Prosperity Partnership.

🕴️ Tech jobs of the week

Find your next career:

• Procurement and NPI specialist at FirstLight Technologies

• Support engineer at Enrolment Resources

• Oracle Fusion senior business systems analyst at BC Pension Corporation

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

📅 Upcoming events

Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce AGM & US Relations Panel | April 15

Join the Chamber’s Annual General Meeting at the Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour. You'll hear about the Chamber's recent advocacy wins, a report on the year that was and receive audited financial statements. A panel discussion will follow addressing the Chamber's advocacy work to support a strong and resilient local economy. This is a timely topic in light of the threat of tariffs and a potential trade war with the United States, as well as the shifting political landscape in Canada.

ABCMI & COAST Innovation Forum | April 15-16

The Association of British Columbia Marine Industries (ABCMI) in partnership with COAST (Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies), is hosting the annual Innovation Forum in Vancouver. This is a great event to understand the latest innovations, technology, science, and research that is shaping the future of B.C.’s marine industry.

The 2025 VIATEC Awards | May 1

This event brings the tech community together and take a moment to spotlight and celebrate some of the year’s most notable companies and individuals within Victoria’s $5.9 billion tech sector. For over 23 years, the event has been produced by VIATEC, Victoria’s tech industry association.

Have an upcoming event? Reply to let us know.

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.