What’s happening?
The Innovation Forum is a free, all-day exchange of ideas and information to help start-ups and tech companies find the path to private and public funding and learn how to sell to government. It also features networking opportunities with representatives from funding institutions and a panel of speakers.
Who’s on the panel?
In addition to representatives from the Build in Canada Innovation Program, Western Innovation Fund, Scientific Research and Experimental Development and Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada, speakers include Mayor Jonathan Cote, Mike Walkinshaw (CEO of TIMIA Capital), Jill Earthy (chief growth officer at FrontFundr) and Williams Azaroff (executive lead, member experience and community engagement at Vancity Credit Union and chair of Modo Co-op’s board).
Why should I care?
“Entrepreneurs and small business owners are the drivers of our local economy,” said Azaroff. “Innovation helps our communities prosper so it’s important for us to work together to help build communities that are environmentally, economically and socially sustainable.”
Details, please:
Innovation Forum 2017 is on Tuesday, Feb. 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St. Register at www.eventbrite.ca (Search for Innovation Forum 2017.)
Why is the city holding this forum?
The city has proclaimed Feb. 24 to March 3 as Innovation Week in New West and hopes to showcase New Westminster’s increasing role as a regional centre for research, technology and innovation. Innovation Week also aims to provide opportunities to learn, showcase and experience innovation in action.
What else is planned during Innovation Week?
Hack Our City, a two-day celebration of using data and technology to help solve real-world problems, will take over city hall on Feb. 25 and 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It includes drop-in, hands-on activities for kids, a tech bar, open data hack-athon, idea generation and workshops on a variety of topics. Register at www.eventbrite.ca (search for #HackOurCity).
What’s happening at the Leadership Dinner?
On March 2, the City of New Westminster and the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce are holding the Leadership Dinner to celebrate innovation, research and technology in the region. In addition to dinner, the event includes a panel featuring: Dr. Peter Payne (president and CEOP Health Tech Innovation Foundation: Innovation Boulevard Corp. in Surrey); Mayor Jonathan Cote; Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan; Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore; Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart; and Maple Ridge Mayor Nicole Read. Audience members will have a chance to ask questions, network and share information. The event is on March 2 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St. Tickets are $75 (plus fees) for chamber members and $90 (plus fees) and are available at www.eventbrite.ca (search for Regional Mayors Innovation Dinner.)
Are there any other events during Innovation Week?
Brink: opening reception is on Friday, Feb. 24 at the New Media Gallery; the New West business and tech meetup is on Monday, Feb. 27 at the Network Hub; the Vantec Pitch Circuits is on march 1 at Anvil Centre; and Digital Days is on March 3 and 4 at Anvil Centre.
Where can I get more details about Innovation Week?
Details about these and other events can be found at www.newwestcity.ca/innovatenw.
