The following blog post was written by Alice Lam and was published earlier this week on BCIC’s blog as part of a series profiling BCIC-NewVentures Competition: Regional Top 20 Finalists.

How can you ensure the memory of a loved one lives on after death?

In a world where distance divides people but social networking connects us, MemoryLeaf’s online memorial service lets users create a lasting legacy for their loved ones through photos, videos, stories and other memories posted online in an engaging and elegant virtual environment.

Families can also access a selection of professionally developed resources to help them through the grieving process.

The service is set up through local funeral-service providers who help guide families through this very difficult time.

Kamloops-based MemoryLeaf is a top 20 finalist in the BCIC-New Ventures Competition: Regional. Founder and CEO Jonathan Bowers said he has enjoyed the competition so far.

“I am a firm believer in talking to anyone who will listen about the company, and gaining feedback and insight,” he said. “The judging panel in Round Two was very supportive and genuinely interested in contributing to our success.”

The competition has encouraged MemoryLeaf to look more critically and analytically at the risks involved and to formulate strategies to mitigate them. The company will now focus heavily on product development and customer validation.

“I am personally very excited about the next phase of the competition and the matching with mentors,” said Bowers. “This was my basic goal entering this competition, so from here on, anything else is bonus!”

Congratulations to MemoryLeaf. Good luck in the last round of the competition. Winners of the BCIC-New Ventures Competition: Regional will be announced on February 24, 2011.

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