The Okanagan Centre for Innovation is open for business and just about everyone is singing its praises.
鈥淲hen the city decided to make to make this prime, downtown real estate available to the 琉璃神社 Sustainable Innovation group, we said we didn鈥檛 want just another office building, and today we are not disappointed,鈥� said 琉璃神社 Mayor Colin Basran. 鈥淚nside and out this building features the kind of innovations you鈥檇 expect in a leading edge technology incubator.鈥�
The six-storey, 9,728 square-metre state-of-the-art centre is designed to help Canada鈥檚 most 鈥渋nnovative, creative and entrepreneurial technology community鈥� thrive in what鈥檚 become the fastest growing tech hub in Canada.
Raghwa Gopal, the CEO of Accelerate Okanagan, said the economic impact of the industry in the Okanagan is currently $1.3 billion, which reflects growth of 80 per cent.
And it鈥檚 not just dollars that tech is producing. There are 680 tech companies in the Okanagan, employing 7,600 people. Around 52 per cent of those people are under the age of 35.
鈥淭he tech industry is changing the whole demographic of the city,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e are bringing in a whole new young generation.鈥�
The second floor will house Accelerate Okanagan, which aims to nurture that young generation of entrepreneurs. It was paid for by with $7 million from the provincial government through its Crown agency, BC Innovation Council.
That floor, Gopal said, is perfect for up and coming techies. It鈥檚 set up in a 鈥渇unky way,鈥� he said, with foosball tables, table tennis and lounging chairs. Below, on the first floor, there鈥檚 a theatre, a living wall and an art wall.
While the amenities are impressive, it鈥檚 something more human that will make the building work.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e doing stuff from your basement you鈥檙e very isolated,鈥� said Gopal. 鈥淲hen you get an opportunity to come out and hang out and interface with like minded people, there are a lot of benefits. We also have programs and mentorship as well.鈥�
The building is currently 90 per cent occupied and will house everything from two-person start-ups to large-scale technology and innovation firms with the goal of fostering collaboration and innovation between tenants.
In additon to the provincial and municipal governments chipping in, the Government of Canada has provided $3.4 million for tenant improvements, equipment and the operation of the second floor incubation space and main floor presentation theatre.
The Government鈥檚 aims to make Canada a global centre for innovation.
鈥淐anadian entrepreneurs are working hard to bring their innovative products and services to market. That is why we are proud to support the Okanagan Centre for Innovation as it provides tech start-ups with access to workspace, funding, and mentorship,鈥� said Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada.
The Okanagan Centre for Innovation is a joint venture between the governments of Canada and British Columbia, BC Innovation Council, City of 琉璃神社 and 琉璃神社 Sustainable Innovation Group Limited Partnership.
