Welcome to this week’s Midweek Memo. In this issue, Shift Technologies finds a new partner through the Integrated Marketplace, Peloton Technologies’ CEO shares thoughts on e-commerce, and Bruce Williams describes his vision for Victoria’s future.

Now on to today’s briefing. It’s 609 words: a three-minute read.

-Emily, [email protected]

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Victoria sustainable period product company launches in Costco

From Capital Daily, Victoria Tech Journal’s sister publication:

Despite innovations in health and wellness spaces over the decades, period care has long been stuck in the 20th century, with little innovation. But a brand from Victoria is looking to shake up the industry—and make period-care accessible to everyone who needs it.

Joni launched in 2020 as a sustainable, organic period-care line aimed at disrupting the market and working to end period poverty. Co-founders Linda Biggs and Jayesh Vekariya brought their unique backgrounds to create a brand they hoped would stand out. 

Vekariya grew up in a slum in India, and saw firsthand how the women in his family struggled with period poverty (a lack of access to menstrual products, education, and sanitary facilities).

He managed to obtain an education which pulled him out of the slums and eventually brought him to study his master’s degree at UVic, where he crossed paths with Biggs. Biggs had a background in branding and marketing, while Vekariya had worked in product development and pharmacology. They decided to combine their skills to create period products that were less “a commodity,” and more something that suited all bodies and genders, and respected the environment.  

“I really believed we could do better, and I really believed we could offer people the sustainable, plastic-free, plant-based options that are better for your body, without all the weird-sounding and weirdly spelled chemicals or materials that you're just not familiar with,” Biggs said.

📰 More Victoria innovation news

🤝 Better together: Shift Coastal Technologies partnered with Gitxaala Environmental Services on a multi-phase project aimed at enhancing environmental monitoring processes in port and terminal settings. Funding for the project was provided by the province’s Integrated Marketplace program.

👀 You gotta dig a little deeper: Peloton Technologies CEO Craig Attiwill spoke to the different aspects of an e-commerce and payments strategy.

⚡️ The future has arrived: Bruce Williams, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, shared his perspective on what’s next for Victoria’s business sector. Williams recently announced that he had decided not to renew his contract when it ends next summer.

🕴️ Tech jobs of the week

Find your next career:

• Assistant Director, Divisional Business Office at BC Pension Corporation

• Senior Product Manager at Fluxon

• Manager, Client Experience at BCI

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📅 Upcoming events

​December 19 | Tech Nachos: Holiday Edition

Victoria Tech Nachos… a covert group at the intersection of Nachos and Technology. A no-speaker, social-only, no-sponsor, nacho-friendly event. 

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