Welcome to this week’s Sunday Briefing. In this issue, read about boat manufacturing in Greater Victoria, smart accounting coming to Victoria, and a new partnership for Solaires.

Now onto today’s briefing. It’s 728 words: a three-minute read.

-Emily, [email protected]

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VIATEC report highlights tech’s impact

VIATEC released its annual Economic Impact Report on Thursday, highlighting the Victoria tech community’s economic output, as well as the advantages, challenges, and barriers that companies here face.

The report boasts some big numbers:

• $7.9 billion in total economic impact—$5.9 billion of direct economic impact and $2 billion indirect

• $5.87 billion in total tech sector revenue

• 20,007 tech workers in 2023

According to the report, Victoria companies benefit from the “lifestyle, mild climate, shorter commute times, and the presence of post-secondary institutions.” But the island lifestyle is a double-edged sword—access to recruitment, funding, a reliable supply chain, and new markets were all highlighted as barriers.

Data for the Economic Impact Report is gathered via a survey sent to tech companies in the 13 municipalities that make up Greater Victoria. The report also makes use of census data from VIATEC itself and data from BC Stats.

📰 More Victoria innovation news

⛵️The waves won’t break my boat: In the latest Chamber Chat, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce CEO Bruce Williams sits down with Jennifer Michell, vice-president of Titan Boats, to discuss boat manufacturing in Greater Victoria.

📚 She opened up a book of poems: Bookkeep, a smart accounting automation platform, is coming to Victoria. The firm is set to open an office and hire local talent for new roles.

🌈 All the colours of the rainbow: Solaires announced a partnership with Shanghai-based Genesis Technology to harness the potential of indoor solar power using perovskite-based PV modules.

🕴️ Tech jobs of the week

Find your next career:

• Executive in Residence at the Ocean Startup Project

• Senior Project Engineer at Quester Tangent Corporation

• Senior Full Stack Developer at Shift

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

📅 Upcoming events

June 4-25 | Data Management & Analytics Roadshow 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of data and analytics, this conference stands as a beacon for industry leaders, professionals, and innovators seeking to navigate the complexities of today’s information age. Discussions will unravel the paramount importance of data governance, efficient data management, and the strategic application of AI.

From understanding strategic frameworks for robust data governance to exploring the ethical implementation of AI, attendees can anticipate gaining actionable perspectives and knowledge essential for navigating the intricacies of the information age.

August 23 | VIATEC Summer Tech Together

Picture this: Crowd surfing the CEO of your team to the raddest live band under the sun, and savagely beating your tech rivals in the potato sack race, all while showing off those summer gains in the tug-o-war.

• Chill and Connect: Soak up those summer rays with top tech teams in our city.

• Demolish Your Tech Rivals: Prove to the Tectorian community why your company is the best by sprinting to the finish line in the three-legged race and flaunting your superior senses in the blindfolded obstacle course.

• Bring Your Conductor Hat: Take a relaxing cruise through the heritage grounds on the trains with your kiddos.

• Wave Your Glow Sticks: Mosh-pit with your boss and embarrass your kids in front of the main stage.

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.