About NVBC
The BCIC-New Ventures competition was founded in 2000 under the direction of Wal van Lierop as a means of recognizing and encouraging entrepreneurship in B.C.’s technology sector. The first board included representation from both public and private organizations, and many of the founding organizations and key individuals from the original group have provided continuous support to the competition.
Today, the non-profit New Ventures BC Society administers and operates the competition with generous support from the public and private sectors, including title partner BCIC.
Executive Director Bob de Wit and Program Manager Angie Schick plan and run the seminars and competition.
Each year, more than 150 B.C. business leaders—entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, angel investors, academics and professionals—donate their time and expertise as mentors and judges.
To date, more than 1,100 aspiring B.C. entrepreneurs have entered the competition, with 35 winning major prize packages. Most winners have continued on to form viable companies, raising more than $100 million in financing and creating more than 500 jobs for British Columbians.
However, it’s not only the winners of the competition who go on to success. Many finalists and round-three competitors use the skills they have learned in the competition to commercialize their business ideas.