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Tech talk: Connections made at Regional Innovation Opportunity Tour

I recently presented at the B.C. Innovation Council’s Regional Innovation Opportunity Tour
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Keith MacIntyre is a tech columnist for the Penticton Western News and the owner of Big Bear Software Inc. Western News file photo

I was recently invited to present at the B.C. Innovation Council’s Regional Innovation Opportunity Tour in Kelowna.

Leading up to the B.C. Tech Summit on March 14 and 15 in Vancouver, BCIC hosted seven RIO’s in cities like Prince George, Kelowna and Terrace. The tour was designed to showcase regional innovations and opportunities. It was a challenge format, where government branches, large companies and small businesses presented technical challenges they are facing with the hopes of connecting with businesses to solve their challenges.

Over the seven events, more than 25 presenters talked about challenges they are having from seniors care to artificial intelligence the tree falling industry. The quality of presentations and attendees was beyond my expectations. I met several companies with potential solutions to my Internet of Things hardware challenge and several that my company can help with custom software development services. I saw dozens of connections being made with people who otherwise never would have met. The hard work BCIC staff are doing to connect companies will create jobs, investment and grow businesses.

One of the biggest challenges for a small business operating outside of a large city is connections. Vancouver has a thriving tech scene and at times it is hard to find a company or technical talent to fill the needs of the rapidly growing industry. Government software procurement often tends to favour large companies. Small businesses who are motivated, talented and have incentive to succeed don’t have access to some of these opportunities. This tour helped to solve this problem, helping make connections across the entire province.

BCIC is following up on these tours and facilitating meetings at the Tech Summit for small and large companies. Often we don’t know the talent that is in our own back yard and what BCIC is doing is an example of a government program working to help grow business throughout the province. I know Penticton’s XCo.io will be there meeting with companies interested in their breakthrough movement and location tracking technology for sport, healthcare and fitness.

BCIC is also working with government branches to help connect technical providers with the government to provide solutions to real problems. They recently had an AgriTech Innovation Challenge, a Data Visualization Challenge, and there will soon be more challenges in many different areas. These challenges are designed to give any business a funded opportunity to compete to provide a unique solution to a technical challenge. This is fantastic for everyone as B.C. continues to lead the country in technology innovation. The BC government has also created the B.C. Developers Exchange where companies can more easily bid on software projects.

Stay tuned for my experiences at the B.C. Tech Summit March 14 and 15. It is the largest technology conference in B.C. with a fantastic array of speakers, like the CTO and co-founder of Tesla presenting, and dozens of companies showcasing their technology. The next TechBrew event takes place Friday, March 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Mile Zero Wine Ba

Keith MacIntyre is a tech columnist for the Penticton Western News and the owner of Big Bear Software Inc.