Welcome to this week’s Sunday Briefing. In this issue, learn about new scholarships from Island Women in Science and Technology, the minister’s fresh vision for jobs and innovation in B.C., and Ocean AID’s acceptance to a startup development program.

Now on to today’s briefing. It’s 812 words: a three-minute read.

-Emily, [email protected]

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Victoria holds potential as a life sciences hub, says report

The South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP) released a report this week on the life sciences sector in Greater Victoria, highlighting the region's potential as an emerging hub for innovation and entrepreneurial growth.

“The Island as a whole accounts for only 15 percent of B.C.’s life sciences businesses and 13 percent of employment, but here in Greater Victoria, we boast Canada’s largest MedTech company (StarFish Medical) and North America’s largest faculty of Health Informatics (UVic Health Information Sciences),” said Dallas Gislason, SIPP’s deputy director of regional economic development. “This report shows that by taking deliberate action, we can elevate our strengths and be better positioned within the broader provincial and Canadian landscape.”

The document, put together by Qatalyst Research Group, found that:

• Greater Victoria is home to 60-plus life sciences companies, spanning diverse fields such as medical devices, biotech and digital health.

• Infrastructure developments, including the Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology at the University of Victoria, as well as planned wet-lab facilities and innovation spaces, are enhancing the region's capacity to support startups and emerging companies.

• The proximity to high-quality post-secondary institutions provides access to cutting-edge research and skilled graduates, enabling the region’s life sciences companies to stay at the forefront of innovation.

Despite the many positives, the report also identifies key challenges, including limited access to capital, the need for more senior business management talent, and rising operational costs.

Read the full report »

📰 More Victoria innovation news

🙌 We’re all in this together: Island Women in Science and Technology announced two new scholarships as part of the Island Women in STEM program. Local businesses Redbrick and Shift — a company within Redbrick’s portfolio — have committed to providing program funding support for the next three years.

⚡️ What’s happening next: B.C.’s newly appointed minister of jobs, economic development, and innovation laid out her vision for the province.

⭐️ I lived, and I learned: Ocean AID was accepted into the NVIDIA Inception program, a free initiative designed to support startups at every stage of their development.

🕴️ Tech jobs of the week

Find your next career:

• Partner Manager, Civil Government at Planet

• Project Controls Administrator at Stantec

• Sales and Marketing Coordinator at Vancouver Island Brewing

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

📅 Upcoming events

January 23 | Canadian Digital Marketing Summit

For the first time, CDM Summit is coming to Victoria, on January 23. Join for an exciting one-day event where trailblazers and innovators gather to explore the future of digital marketing. In this inaugural summit, you’ll experience the latest in breakthrough strategies, cutting-edge technologies, and the trends shaping tomorrow’s marketing landscape. Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills, grow your professional network, or be inspired by industry leaders, this is your opportunity to lead with confidence in an ever-evolving digital world.

January 9 | Victoria AI Tech Meetup: Exploring AI's Impact on Business and Innovation

Are you an entrepreneur or tech professional curious about how AI can transform your business and career? Join the Victoria AI Tech Meetup, where local thought leaders and innovators come together to explore the cutting edge of artificial intelligence and its practical applications.

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.

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