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Community Sift Selected to Attend C100 “48 Hours in the Silicon Valley”

Community Sift is pleased to have been selected as one of Canada’s top 20 startup companies invited to be a part of C100 “48 Hours in the Valley”. This semi-annual mentorship program offers unparalleled access to programming, mentorship and networking in the Silicon Valley.

The C100 is a non-profit, member driven association that supports Canadian technological companies through partnership, mentorship and investment. The C100 members are “some of the most influential minds in the ecosystem including some top VC's, investors and entrepreneurs who are passionate about leveraging their experience, expertise and relationships.” During this event, the C100 members will help connect, mentor and grow Canadian innovative companies. The goal is a more connected, informed and empowered Canadian startup community.

“The market has never been so keen on finding a solution for cyberbullying and online harassment and the Valley is the place to be”

“This event comes at a perfect time for us. The market has never been so keen on finding a solution for cyberbullying and online harassment and the Valley is the place to be,” says Community Sift’s CEO, Chris Priebe.

“We already have incredible traction and have made an impression but being able to be a part of this event should blow the top off of what we are doing. Coincidentally during this event, we will be launching our series A and adding $5M to help solve many online chat issues including that of Cyberbullying.”

The theme of the December 2015 event is “Business Development and Growth” where Community Sift, along with the other selected companies, will have the opportunity to:

  • Receive mentorship from the C100 members and partner networks
  • Meet with high profile VCs and other potential investors
  • Build our connection to the startup community in the Silicon Valley
  • Network with other Canadian startups in similar growth stages

About Community Sift: Community Sift provides the underlying engine that makes today's social sites thrive. Our SaaS-based moderation tool disrupts current industry practices by adding trust, context and sentiment to deeply enhance a company’s ability to grow their community and keep their users safe, happy and engaged. The Community Sift tool set combines machine learning with over a million human-reviewed markers, in 58 languages, to process billions of messages daily and in real-time.

For more information visit: www.communitysift.com

- Sana Ahmad, Digital Marketing Coordinator - Language and Culture Specialist

For Media Inquiries Please Contact:
Sana Ahmad
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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More Than Just Money! Financing and Support Resources for Okanagan Businesses

The Okanagan is fortunate to have a wealth of organizations that provide local businesses with a variety of resources and support that go well beyond simple financing.

This session will introduce you to some of the key organizations that exist to support your business, whether you are an established company looking to grow, or are an entrepreneur with an idea for The Next Big Thing.

Join us on November 25 to learn about the expertise here to help your business. Invited to present are:

  • Community Futures
  • Women’s Enterprise Centre
  • Business Development Bank of Canada
  • National Research Council – Industrial Research Assistance Program
  • Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust
  • Mitacs
  • Accelerate Okanagan
  • Futurpreneur
  • Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission

When:              Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Where:             Kelowna Yacht Club, 1370 Water Street

Time:               8:00am to noon (registration 8am; session begins at 8:30am)

Cost:                $15 plus GST. Refreshments included

Space is limited, so register early!

click here to register

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Community Futures Supports 2015 Changeup December 3

ChangeUP

Get Your Tickets to ChangeUP! A Social Dragon's Den Pitch Competition & More ChangeUP: Innovating for Social Change is the second audience-voting pitch competition brought to you by Okanagan Changemakers. On Thursday, December 3rd, a select number of organizations will have the opportunity to pitch live at the Kelowna Community Theatre in hopes of winning cash and in-kind services. The evening will recognize the best social impact initiatives in the Okanagan Valley and participants will benefit from interacting with a diverse and engaged audience. This year, we are pleased to have entrepreneur Mickey McLeod as our keynote speaker. Mickey is the co-founder, president and CEO of Saltspring Coffee. Tickets are on sale via Eventbrite: https://changeup2015.eventbrite.ca/ Interested in pitching? Check our our application process.

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Soilmate Family Picnic Sunday October 18th, 11 - 4 pm

Community Futures support local food movement and would like to encourage you to attend the first Soilmate Family Picnic.

How does this sound?

  • Bringing yourself, your friends and your family for a lovely fall picnic. Spreading your blanket amongst the apple and peach trees, just 10 minutes from Orchard Park Mall.
  • Listening to local musicians while you eat and play. You can even dance if you like.
  • Local Nutritionists on hand answering questions and providing free mini workshops on a variety of subjects.
  • Old fashioned games and activities to entertain the children and adults alike.
  • Information on local food and health initiatives.
  • Small tastings of local products from some of our region’s best chefs.
  • Local food and health groups providing information on local programs.

Soil Mate invites you to join us in celebrating the end of harvest season and giving thanks to our local farmers. We love community and we believe that good, local food and drink is at the heart of it all.

This event is a ‘bring your own food and drink’ event. We will not be selling food or drink at the event. We will have some local food tastings but these are small samples and there will be a limited supply. If you don’t bring food and drink, you will be hungry and thirsty, albeit in a beautiful setting with lots of activities.

This event is free to attend and everyone is welcome. We do ask that all attendees bring a food item for the foodbank. 

Due to our limit space, a ticket is required for entry. Click the link to reserve your ticket. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/soil-mate-family-picnic-tickets-18700770508

A few things to remember if attending
- We will not be selling food and drink at the event. This is a bring your own event. So bring your own ;)
- This is a picnic event so bring a blanket to sit on. You will be blown away with the beauty of the farm and orchard.
- The event is held on a working farm so please wear close toed footwear.
- The event is in fall. While the weather reports look good, bring a few layers in case it gets chilly.
- Apologies but no dogs will be allowed into the event.
- We are not charging for the event, we believe in enabling access to good healthy food and education for all. However, we do request that you bring an item for the foodbank for each person attending.

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Ross Hurst, Past Chairperson of Community Futures Passes Away

ross hurst

HURST, Ross Allan

Ross has finally found peace after a very lengthy illness. He was born in Fort Erie, Ontario to parents Tom and Bunny Hurst. He was predeceased by brothers Garry (Betty Ann) and Glenn (Mary). He is survived by the love of his life, Marilyn; sons Paul (Grace) and Steven (Karlene); and grandsons Nolan and Alex. There is one aunt, Shirley St.Pierre in LA; brothers and sisters-in-law; and nephews left to mourn him as well. Ross's career was in marketing and sales, and he mentored many along the way. He was active in his community through strata councils, Community Futures Organization and Okanagan Community College Business School. Ross was an enthusiastic member of the Gallagher's Old Farts cycling team for many years. He was loved by all for his infectious laugh and great sense of humour. A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his honour can be made to the Alzheimer Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation or the charity of your choice. All the support and kindness during Ross's lengthy illness is greatly appreciated by Marilyn and family. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com

 

HURST, Ross Allan
Ross has finally found peace after a very lengthy illness. He was born in Fort Erie, Ontario to parents Tom and Bunny Hurst. He was predeceased by brothers Garry (Betty Ann) and Glenn (Mary). He is survived by the love of his life, Marilyn; sons Paul (Grace) and Steven (Karlene); and grandsons Nolan and Alex. There is one aunt, Shirley St.Pierre in LA; brothers and sisters-in-law; and nephews left to mourn him as well. Ross's career was in marketing and sales, and he mentored many along the way. He was active in his community through strata councils, Community Futures Organization and Okanagan Community College Business School. Ross was an enthusiastic member of the Gallagher's Old Farts cycling team for many years. He was loved by all for his infectious laugh and great sense of humour. A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his honour can be made to the Alzheimer Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation or the charity of your choice. All the support and kindness during Ross's lengthy illness is greatly appreciated by Marilyn and family. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting
www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/vancouversun/obituary.aspx?pid=176003051#sthash.27uNLIAa.dpuf
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CFDC Central Okanagan Elects New Board of Directors

devonsailernewDevon Sailer - Chairperson

Devon is a Kelowna resident, a UBCO Business graduate and a Commercial Account Manager at RBC. He has actively participated on the Youth Means Business Advisory Committee, Entrepreneurship Committee, Loan Committee and Board Directors of the CFDCCO and was elected to be Chairperson at the 2015 AGM. Devon is a keen business analyst who provides exceptional business knowledge and advice to the CFDCCO.

barbnewphotoBarbra Johnston - Past Chairperson

Barbra is a West Kelowna resident, a former CFDCCO client and strong advocate of the organization. As a result, Barbra has served as a Director and on the Loans and Investment Review Committee for CFDCCO since 2002. She owns and operates Nature's Formulae Health Products Ltd, a nutraceutical manufacturing business that now employs over 80 people in Kelowna.

una gabieUna Gabie - Corporate Secretary

Una is a Kelowna resident, Lawyer and Partner at Touchstone Law Group LLP. Una has been practicing law in Kelowna since April of 2008 and in 2012, Una founded Touchstone Law Group LLP in Kelowna with a partner. This new venture provides an opportunity to combine her law practice with the chance to engage more in the business side of the legal industry. Una focuses primarily on business law, real estate, wills and estates. She enjoys working closely with clients and referral sources on both their personal and business related matters and also enjoys working with both first time homebuyers, new business start-ups in addition to well established businesses in the Okanagan. Una strives to provide highly personal services to her clients in an expedient manner. Una is Director at the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, an active member of the CFDCCO Loans Committee and Board of Directors where she provides excellent legal and business direction to the organization and staff.

billmorrisonnew2

Bill Morrison - Treasurer

Bill is a Kelowna resident and a former satisfied client of CFDCCO and now chairs the Loans Review Committee. Bill is the founder and operator of The Jammery, a business located near Lake Country and at the entrance to Kelowna that combines a unique blend of agricultural land, restaurant, gift shop and jam production facility. Community Futures benefits from Bill's good sense of humour, decision making, entrepreneurial attitude and dedication to the community organizations and causes like Variety, the Children's Charity.

mark dixon new2Mark Dixon - Director

Mark is a Kelowna resident and CEO at ESD Simulation Training who established his company in 1989 and then went on to become the industry leader in dynamic simulation training worldwide. With offices in Scotland, Canada, Australia and the United States, and agents in Africa and Malaysia, ESD Simulation Training is able to deliver a broad range of open access and in-house seminars on topics. Mark has been a CFDCCO Director since 2011 and is also President of Inn from the Cold, a valuable non-profit society operating shelters and outreach programs in the Central Okanagan.

briankempnewBrian Kemp - Director

Brian is a West Kelowna resident and Senior Account Manager for the Business Development Bank. His previous experience was in sales with a large consumer product company and also in hotel resort management in Fernie. Brian has been a Director since 2012. He possesses valuable loan analysis and business plan review skills. Brian has a young active family and enjoys living and working in the Okanagan.

Ched GaglardiChed Gaglardi - Director

Ched is a successful Lake Country technology based company founder and CEO. As one of the founders of Beelineweb.com, his cordial, down-to-earth approach to business helps set the tone for the office. His accomplished background in finance, marketing, and other successful ventures ensures our ability to create and maintain tremendous value for our clients. Ched stays involved in the community, volunteering his time and knowledge to promote local economic development. His steady temperament inspires trust and confidence, no matter the circumstances. And with his optimistic and jovial demeanor, it's no wonder he has a reputation for making friends everywhere he goes. Ched is an active member of the Entrepreneurship Committee and served on the CFDCCO Board a number of years ago before rejoining the Board in 2015.

 

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Economic Development Commission Wins National Recognition

Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission Earns National Economic Development Achievement of the Year Award

KELOWNA CMA, BC – The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC) is the proud recipient of the 2015 EDAC / RBC Royal Bank Economic Development Achievement of the Year Award from the Economic Development Association of Canada (EDAC) for its Okanagan Young Professionals (OYP) Collective program. The award was presented at EDAC’s 47th National Economic Development Conference in Whitehorse on September 22, 2015.

Established in February 2012, the OYP Collective, the first program of its kind facilitated by an Economic Development Organization in Canada, has become the collective umbrella that fosters and supports the existing community groups by opening the lines of communication, helping cross-pollinate memberships, as well as hosting its own outstanding events and activities, all with a focus and shared vision of creating a dynamic, vibrant and engaged culture that attracts and retains talented professionals in their 20’s and 30’s to the Okanagan Region.

The OYP has gained significant traction over the last three years:
• To date the OYP has raised over $260,000 in funds and services for non-profits and charities.
• Over 3000 volunteer hours of business service valued at $150,000 (accounting, web development, business planning, HR, etc.) have been provided to local not-for-profit agencies.
• Social media reach has increased exponentially to 1019 followers on Twitter, 1162 likes on Facebook, 660 monthly website visitors, and 455 newsletter subscribers with a weekly reach of up to 1500.

The EDAC/RBC Economic Development Achievement of the Year Awards recognizes the evolving excellence in community driven economic development projects across Canada and it is only given to one community-driven economic development project every year. Projects are assessed on degree of originality, involvement of community partners, effectiveness of the delivery mechanism, and attainment of program goals and objectives.

Corie Griffiths, Manager for the COEDC, states “It is a great honour to have the COEDC’s Okanagan Young Professionals Collective program selected among the many exceptional economic development projects taking place across Canada. We are very thankful for the recognition and want to acknowledge the collaboration and continued support from many organizations and individuals in the community that contribute to the OYP’s continued success”.

To learn more about the OYP Collective visit www.investkelowna.com/our-programs and www.oypcollective.com

For questions or more information please contact:

Corie Griffiths
Manager, Economic Development Commission
Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission
Regional District of Central Okanagan
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
250-469-6280

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