How the Kelowna Innovation Centre is transforming the Okanagan into Canada’s fastest growing tech hub
| Client | Kelowna Innovation Centre |
| Project | Kelowna Innovation Centre |
| Location | Kelowna, B.C. |
| Sector | Business growth, digital technology, high-tech |
Already a destination for tourism and recreation, the Okanagan is quickly becoming a hub for B.C. innovators, boasting Canada’s fastest growing tech community. The Kelowna Innovation Centre plays a key role in creating that community and redefining the Okanagan region.
In 2017, the Centre received a $3.4 million investment from PacifiCan, which helped develop and finish a new building to house innovators and foster entrepreneurship. Since then, the Centre has:
- created 402 high quality positions
- provided assistance for 1,978 businesses
- attracted $21.6 million in incremental private sector investment
See how the Centre is helping local startups become tech giants:
(2:13 minutes)
“PacifiCan funding was essential in getting the accessible space finished and developed, but the spin-off benefits in the community - in terms of supporting all the business’ around the Innovation Centre – it’s been one of the biggest factors in the success of the project,” says Jeff Keen COO of Pela & Co-founder of Kelowna Innovation Centre