Earlier this year, the Central Okanagan was ranked as the second best entrepreneurial area in Canada. 

It could be the hot summers, great skiing weather in the winter, but also the support from the local government and businesses. Whatever the reason the Okanagan is home to lots of great entrepreneurs, both with experience and funding to share with new startups.

As they say, like attracts like, which is one of the reasons more startups and entrepreneurs are choosing to build their business in the Okanagan valley. In fact, the Thompson-Okanagan has seen the highest growth percentage of small business in all of BC. And a lot of that growth has been in the tech startups — from animation studios, to apps and websites.

With more and more tech startups settling in the Okanagan there’s an increased demand for talented developers and software engineers. You only need to look at the Kelowna tech job boards to get an idea. Which is great news for the developers in the valley – no more moving to Vancouver or Toronto. As one of the highest growing in-demand jobs there’s now plenty of people looking to grow their skills here in the valley.

To help grow our tech community co+Lab is excited to welcome another startup to Kelowna: Lighthouse Labs, a bootcamp for developers. Lighthouse Labs has had amazing success helping tech communities in Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary build their developer talent and now will be turning their focus to Kelowna. They’ll be joining the co+Lab in 2016.

What are you waiting for?! Sign up here: https://lighthouselabs.ca/okanagan

Kelowna, BC -  February 10th, 2016 – Kelowna, B.C. – Accelerate Okanagan Technology Association (AO) is pleased to announce the appointment of Raghwa Gopal as the new CEO for the organization. Gopal who has been the acting CEO for the past 2 months, will assume the full-time position effective immediately. 
 
Mr. Gopal is no stranger to the Okanagan or the technology community. Having moved to Kelowna in the mid ‘70’s he helped to build and grow Vadim Software, one of the regions first and most successful technology companies. While operating Vadim for 28 years, Raghwa was instrumental in growing the organization to be one of the largest suppliers of financial management software to Canadian municipalities leading to its eventual acquisition in 2001. Since that time Mr. Gopal has been extremely active in the community as an angel investor, the recipient of several business awards and been recognized for many volunteer efforts including Director of the Okanagan College Foundation, the Rotary Club of Kelowna, the United Way and the Central Okanagan Development Commission.

“After an exhaustive search that involved over 120 candidates, we are extremely pleased to announce Raghwa Gopal as AO’s new CEO. Mr. Gopal was by far the best candidate measured against the core competencies established by our CEO Search Committee and we are very fortunate to have someone of his calibre to lead our organization through the next stage of growth,” said Blair Forrest, AO Board Chairman. “He is a very well-known and respected person with an extensive history in our community who will bring many years of business acumen, industry expertise and knowledge to the role. Through his prior involvement as acting CEO and Executive in Residence, Raghwa is very familiar with our team, association members, programs, clients, partners, government funding organizations and objectives.”

"It is an immense honor to be offered the position of CEO for Accelerate Okanagan, particularly because this is such an exciting time for the tech industry in the Okanagan and the province as a whole,” said Mr. Gopal. “With the Okanagan Centre for Innovation (OCI) opening soon, the new BC Tech Fund, and new and innovative programs being offered by Accelerate Okanagan, I see tremendous opportunity for the growth of tech companies in the Okanagan.”

“One of my primary goals will be to create an ecosystem of collaboration between different stakeholders – both here in the Okanagan and province wide - to provide bigger and better opportunities for local companies to grow and thrive. I’m looking forward to help further cultivate and nurture the burgeoning tech industry in the Okanagan," added Mr. Gopal.



The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission is launching okanaganjobmatch.com, an online job-matching platform to address workforce needs

Kelowna, BC, February 9, 2016 – The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC) is launching a new component of its Workforce Development Programming. Magnet is a skills-based, employment matching platform that will serve as a key tool for employers and job seekers throughout the Central Okanagan. A regional adoption of Magnet will help to address some of the labour market issues identified in the 2014 report Growing in the Okanagan - 2020 Labour Market Outlook commissioned by the COEDC.

Magnet is a network powered by data-rich job-matching technology that was developed by Ryerson University, in partnership with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Government of Ontario. Introducing Magnet to the Central Okanagan will build a regional focus to a single “job platform”, streamlining the employment search process and assisting in uncovering the hidden labour market. What’s different about Magnet vs. traditional job boards is that through intuitive technology it provides both job seekers and employers with a one-stop, supply and demand job hub to connect the right candidate to the right job opportunity – quickly, accurately, and efficiently. 

It is important to note that Magnet is a free service for job seekers, while employers can post opportunities and review candidates’ profiles for free. If an employer is interested in connecting with a candidate, a small connection fee is then incurred. As an introductory offer, the COEDC is covering all connection fees for Central Okanagan employers for the first 6 months after launch.

To facilitate the delivery of the initial phase of Magnet the Commission is working in partnership with: Accelerate Okanagan, Kelowna Community Resources, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, YMCA Youth Works, Okanagan College, University of British Columbia - Okanagan, the Centre for Arts & Technology, WorkBC and the Okanagan Young Professionals Collective in a phased, multi-year approach.

“Companies throughout the Region across a multitude of sectors tell us one of their biggest barriers to success is the sourcing of a talented workforce. The Commission’s introduction of Magnet to the BC Market aims to be the Region’s tool for matching employers and qualified job seekers by eliminating a major barrier faced locally – job seekers across Canada are unaware of local employer’s current job posting methods (i.e. local publications, industry job boards), thus reducing the talent pool for available opportunities significantly” states Corie Griffiths, Director of the COEDC.

Central Okanagan job seekers and local college and university students seeking full or part-time employment can learn more and register FREE OF CHARGE by visiting okanaganjobmatch.com.

Employers are encouraged to visit okanaganjobmatch.com to post their current hiring needs. Connecting with the right employee is FREE for the first 6 months. Those requiring assistance can contact Dustyn Baulkham, Workforce Development Officer.

Social media channels:

Web:                http://www.okanaganjobmatch.com                               

Twitter:             @MagnetToday

                        @InvestKelowna

Facebook:        Magnet

                        Invest_Kelowna

YouTube:          Magnet - Benefits to Job Seekers

            COEDC Channel

About Magnet

Magnet is a new network powered by data-rich, job-matching technology that connects job seekers with employers based upon skills, preferences and talent needs. The network is also a unique source of real-time labour market information for decision makers and community planners. The Magnet partner network currently includes more than 25 universities and colleges, 2,000 employers and more than 80 community organizations. “Magnet is about connecting jobs to people and helping communities strengthen their economies,” says Mark Patterson, Executive Director, Magnet.

For media inquiries contact

Corie Griffiths

Manager, Economic Development Commission

Regional District of Central Okanagan

(250) 469-6234

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For employer and job seeker inquiries contact

Dustyn Baulkham

Workforce Development Officer

Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission

(250) 469-6280

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

posted from Kelowna Now February 5, 2016 by Molly Gibson 

https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Kelowna/16/02/05/Micro_Home_Business_to_Launch_in_Kelowna/

A new business is about to launch in the Okanagan and it has to do with teeny tiny houses.

Two women in Kelowna have created Little House Contracting, which is a micro home building company. Allison Ramchuk, director of business development and Tara Tschritter, president and founder of the company are working together to launch the locally owned and operated business.

Photo Credit: Tara Tschritter
Allison Ramchuck, right, and Tara Tschritter, left, have created Little House Contracting

The company gives people full building contracts, design services, and will act as a liaison with city planners and financial institutions.

Homes will be between 320 and 625 square feet.

“Our homes are luxurious and designed specifically to enhance and compliment the owner’s neighborhood and property. For customers purchasing a micro home to rent out, their home will create a significant return on investment and increase the value of their property. Alternatively, depending on one’s stage in life, micro home owners could move into their home, renting out their existing home freeing up income for travel, hobbies, retirement etc,” Tschritter explained.

These miniature homes could be used as home offices, a place for senior family members to live, a guest house, or even a vacation rental.

Tschritter said Little House Contracting’s goal is to create a community of micro homes in the next three to five years.

“We, at Little House Contracting, are excited to offer home owners in our community the opportunity to have high returns for low investment with minimal risk. Additionally, we value community and believe that everyone deserves to have a home to call their own.”

The business partners are having a launch event for the company on March 11^th at 5:00 p.m., at Laurel Packing House. The evening will be full of virtual tours, interior and exterior design schemes, and inspirational videos to make people realize what a micro home really is all about.

To get tickets for the launch visit the Eventbrite website.