Applications are now being accepted for the Rick Hansen Institute Emerging Company Showcase, scheduled to take place at Interdependence 2012 Global Conference and Exhibition, May 15-18, 2012 in Vancouver.

The Rick Hansen Institute is providing emerging companies, seeking financing for an innovation related to accelerating progress to a cure for paralysis after spinal cord injury or innovations that will improve the lives of those living with SCI, the opportunity to pitch their company and innovation to the delegation at Interdependence 2012.

Five companies will be selected by an external panel and have the opportunity to present directly to various experts and key opinion leaders from across the continuum of spinal cord injury research and care, including investors with experience in the life sciences and healthcare sectors. Timing of the presentations with respect to the Interdependence 2012 program schedule will be determined at a later date.

Learn more about application criteria and important dates online.

On February 22nd BCIT is hosting Advancing IDEAS – and event that will bring together entrepreneurs, small- and medium-sized enterprises, business leaders, industry experts, and the agencies that support small business growth in British Columbia.

Hear from entrepreneurs who have been through the commercialization process as they share some of the challenges and opportunities they encountered while starting their business. Meet with individuals, businesses, and organizations working to put British Columbia at the forefront of innovation in Canada. Take part in the networking reception for the chance to discover opportunities for collaboration and partnerships.

The Keynote speaker is Roger Hardy, Founder and CEO of Clearly Contacts. Hardy started his small business in B.C. in the year 2000 and transformed it into the internet retail giant it is today.

Register online to attend.

The BCTIA’s TechBrew mega-mixer is now a tri-annual event and the next one is on January 26th at the Stanley Park Pavilion.

The organizers have an incredible lineup of Technology Impact Award Winners & Finalists, as well as some startups who are just beginning to see their technology really take off.

Among the list of featured companies that will be highlighted at the event are current New Ventures competitors Mediacore and Pixton as well as last year’s 1st and 2nd place companies Polymer Research Technologies and RewardLoop.

So come experience cool new technologies, get introduced to cutting-edge entrepreneurs and innovators, make new business contacts and network with influential decision-makers.

This mega-mixer invites entrepreneurs, investors, professional service providers or anyone interested in technology companies to meet, talk, and make new connections in a casual setting.

Register online to attend.

This week the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs launched their Vancouver k-series (knowledge series) which features 6 sessions on business topics led by industry experts and entrepreneurs in an interactive and informative format.

Designed, but certainly not limited to women entrepreneurs who have launched or are looking to launch a new business. Everybody is welcome.

The 6 interactive workshops run from January to June and are 2.5 hours each. Each workshop is limited to 20-25 individuals per session (15 women entrepreneur members, 5 entrepreneurial-minded members;, and up to 5 non-members).

Sign up online today.  Questions? Please email ashlee@fwe.ca or call 604.682.8115.

During the past year, the Cleantech industry has undergone change. Some sectors have gathered renewed focus and attention, others have been hit by serious challenges. Consolidation is rampant. Speed to market is a critical success factor.

On January 24th the Vancouver Enterprise Forum is hosting a panel of prominent members of BC’s Cleantech community where they’ll share their stories of the past year as well as discuss their expectations for the future, near and far.

Panelists will include:

• Paul Austin (Regional Director, Partnerships) – SDTC
• Peter Tyszewicz (COO) – Endurance Wind Power
• Donald McInnes (Exec. Vice Chairman – Alterra Power Corp.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Ian Heine of  PricewaterhouseCoopers. Register online to attend.

Interested in Japanese Greentech applications?

GreenTech Exchange (GTEx) is excited to start 2012 with an insightful outlook on trends and the application of Green Technologies and Clean Energy in Japan. The focus is to identify business opportunities for Canadian companies.

This GTEx Forum will feature two knowledgeable speakers on Japan to address both the industry and government perspectives on Cleantech.

Mr. Keisuke Tsujimoto, General Manager of Japan Oil, Gas and Metals Corporation (JOGMEC) for the Vancouver Office, will present on the Japanese approach to global competition with electric vehicles and the government perspective on next generation systems for a low carbon transportation network.

Mr. Yasuhiko Ogushi, Industry Consultant, will then highlight industry cases in which BC and Canadian companies collaborated with Japan in a market for technology.

This GreenTech Exchange evening event takes place on Wednesday, January 18th at Harbour Centre, Simon Fraser University, Room 1400-1410. Register online.

GreenTech Exchange 2011 Review
Innovation, Commercialization and the Greentech Ecosystem

Monday, December 19, 2011
Registration 5:30pm, event begins 6:00pm
Harbour Centre, Simon Fraser University Room 1400-1420
515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver

REGISTER

As 2011 is coming to a close, we invite you to join us for a review of the green/clean technology sector and what to anticipate in the new year. Mr. Elmer Sum of the GreenTech Exchange (GTE) will present observations and thoughts on this fast growing sector focusing on innovation, commercialization and the Greentech ecosystem. This is also a year-end networking event with a great opportunity to mingle with GTE members, industry participants, professionals, academics and students.

Free Event! Registration is now open to members; new members are welcome.

The Angel Forum is taking their show on the road and hosting an Exit Strategies Workshop for Investors & Founders in Surrey, BC on March 1, 2012.

Exit Strategies is a serious 8 hour workshop (not a 1 hour overview) with a 150+ page workbook. Learn strategies and tactics of selling a company from Steve Lukas (venture lawyer), Axel Christiansen (venture debt), and Basil Peters (M&A advisor). Both Lukas and Peters are regular speakers during the BCIC-New Ventures seminar series.

Basil Peter’s book Early Exits: Exit Strategies for Angel Investors and Entrepreneurs is included in your registration fee.

Register now to take advantage of the early-bird pricing. Register online for $285 today.

What is Discover Tectoria? Just the biggest tech event in Victoria.

VIATeC is hosting Discover Tectoria 2011, a one-day exposition of more than 70 Greater Victoria technology firms and research agencies… all spread throughout two floors of interactive technology. Previously known as “Island Tech”, this biennial event consistently draws as many as 3,500 attendees.

What will you find at Discover Tectoria 2011?

• Expo floor featuring 70+ tech exhibitors
• An innovation showcase featuring local innovations and products (big, shiny cool stuff)
• A 300-seat theatre featuring multiple talks and demos throughout the day
• VIATeC’s Bigger and Better Christmas Party (expecting 300+ attendees)
• Announcement of the biggest tech companies in Victoria for 2011
• DOZENS of buses shuttling secondary students to the event (Funded by the Government of Canada’s Youth Awareness Initiative)

Discover Tectoria continues to raise awareness of the overall sector and the individual companies within it and plays a key role in the added attention and recognition the local tech sector has started to enjoy. This awareness is crucial when attracting new staff and investors while also ensuring that policy makers at every level appreciate the economic impact and importance of the local innovation economy.

On November 28th Rocket Academy is hosting a free bootcamp designed to help technology companies use Market Research to improve products, enhance revenue and stimulate better access to capital.

The bootcamp is a one-day session to help companies design, implement and capitalize on the benefits of market research using the latest tools, techniques and practical approaches that companies of any size can use.

Designed for both startups and growth companies, the Rocket Academy session will combine an overview of key concepts with applied learning through case examples, interactive discussions and best practices checklists.

Register online today.