Client Stories
With support from PacifiCan, small businesses, entrepreneurs and innovators are making a big difference in their communities across British Columbia. Here are their stories.
Use the drop-down menus below to search for stories by sector. Otherwise, use the Filter items field located above the stories to search by keyword.
| Publication date | Location | Sector(s) | All Client Stories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-01-15 | Bella Bella, B.C. | Tourism |
 Heiltsuk-owned YuWala Offers Boat Tours Showcasing the Beauty of Bella BellaYuWala Marine Charters is combining essential transportation with exploration. Surrounded by Heiltsuk lands and waters, Bella Bella is a unique fly-in, boat-in-only community. Discover how the Heiltsuk Nation is preparing for future growth with PacifiCan funding. Location: Bella Bella, B.C. |
| 2023-11-06 | Vancouver, B.C. | Advanced manufacturing |
![Two ARTMS lab technicians look at the Quantm Irradiation target station at the ARTMS lab.]](../../../content/dam/ped-dep/images/stories/2023-q4/thumbnail-artms.png) From Lab to Market: The PacifiCan and ARTMS PartnershipIn a world challenged by isotope shortages, one business in Burnaby is delivering. ARTMS’ technology is helping medical facilities produce the world’s most-used medical diagnostic radioisotopes. Location: Burnaby, B.C. |
| 2023-10-18 | British Columbia. | Small business |
 Driving Global Reach: How Export Navigator helps businesses access new marketsThe Export Navigator program offers free expert guidance to B.C.-based businesses looking to export to global markets. Since 2016, nearly 900 B.C. businesses, including those owned by Indigenous, women and youth entrepreneurs, have benefited from the program. Location: British Columbia |
| 2023-09-26 | Victoria, B.C. | Life Sciences |
 How This UVIC Research Centre Is Driving Progress In Biomedical ScienceThe University of Victoria Genome B.C. Proteomics Centre has been providing mass spectrometry services that have allowed revolutionary biomedical and life science research to happen for over three decades, but there are still some missing links. Location: Victoria, B.C. |
| 2023-07-25 | British Columbia | Clean technology |
 BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative propels British Columbia toward a net zero futureAs stewards of the land for thousands of years, Indigenous people are finding solutions for clean energy and fighting climate change. With the BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative, First Nations in BC are launching new clean energy projects, reducing diesel usage, and generating nearly 1,400 jobs throughout the province. Location: British Columbia |
| 2023-05-19 | Richmond | Clean energy |
 Richmond-based Saltworks Technologies Inc. makes waves to address industrial wastewater and lithium processing challengesProtecting freshwater resources and transitioning to clean energy are global challenges. Saltworks’ advanced technologies help to reuse water, keep our environment safe from pollutants in industrial wastewater, and produce lithium for use in batteries. Location: Richmond |
| 2023-01-13 | Victoria | Aerospace |
 University of Victoria propels industry-leading drone and satellite technology with one-of-a-kind hubFounded in 2012 with support from PacifiCan, CfAR has been steadily growing into an aerospace research powerhouse. In 2018, PacifiCan invested an additional $980,000 to help establish BC as a hub for drone and satellite tech. Unmanned Air Systems, like drones, have defence, security and environmental protection uses. They even prevent pilots from flying in unsafe situations. The Centre for Aerospace Research at the University of Victoria is quickly emerging as a leader in drone and satellite technology in Canada. Location: Victoria |
| 2023-01-12 | Comox | Transportation |
 Strengthening regional connectivity: Comox Airport ensures Northern Vancouver Island economy can take flight post-pandemicWhen airport passenger volumes fell by 85% in 2020, Comox Valley Airport restored air transportation to six communities, keeping their region connected at a critical time. Find out how the airport helped travelers safely access Northern Vancouver Island and build connectivity thanks to over $1 million in PacifiCan funding. Location: Comox |
| 2023-01-10 | Nanaimo | Tourism |
 BC Tourism Resiliency Program provides a path to recovery for rural and remote businessesRural communities are an important part of the B.C. tourism experience. Many of these communities have focused on tourism to help diversify their local economies. When COVID-19 threatened their progress, PacifiCan took action, working with 4VI to support and strengthen the sector through the BC Tourism Resiliency Program. Location: Nanaimo |
| 2023-01-09 | Victoria | Clean technology |
 B.C. clean tech companies make a global impact with support from Alacrity CanadaThe burgeoning clean tech sector plays a key role in British Columbia’s evolving economy by developing sustainable technology used around the world. For many entrepreneurs, scaling up quickly to meet this global demand provides an exciting opportunity and a unique challenge – that’s where Vancouver Island’s Alacrity Canada comes in. With a $787,115 investment from PacifiCan, Alacrity created the B.C. Cleantech Initiative. Learn more about this program. Location: Victoria |
| 2022-12-16 | Northern B.C. | Tourism |
 Northern B.C. Tourism Association helps advance accessibility and welcome visitors back to barrier-free attractionsCreating barrier-free tourism experiences ensures that the 6 million+ Canadians over the age of 15 who have a disability (Statistics Canada) can fully participate in all that British Columbia has to offer. To Northern BC Tourism Association (NBCTA), pandemic recovery presents an opportunity to welcome back residents and visitors to accessible, safe and inclusive spaces everyone can enjoy. Find out how they are advacing accessibility. Location: Northern B.C. |
| 2022-12-15 | South Hazelton | Natural resources |
 Gitxsan Safety Services helps train and protect workers as Northern B.C. economy expandsAs Northern B.C.’s natural resource sector continues to expand, having medical support nearby helps to protect workers and provide immediate treatment for injuries during construction. Find out how Gitxsan Safety Services is helping to meet demand for emergency medical support in Northern British Columbia. Location: South Hazelton |
| 2022-12-08 | Kelowna | Digital technology |
 Driving innovation: How Accelerate Okanagan is transforming the Okanagan tech communityIn partnership with PacifiCan since 2017, Accelerate Okanagan has overseen multiple initiatives made possible with PacifiCan funding. These initiatives have provided guidance to a growing community of entrepreneurs, helping to build the Okanagan into the fastest growing tech hub in the country Location: Kelowna |
| 2022-12-07 | Nelson | Advanced Manufacturing |
 West Kootenays strike gold with new technology innovation centreSince 2015, PacifiCan has invested almost $1.5 million for KAST to help address the gap in tech resources available for West Kootenay entrepreneurs. Location: Nelson |
| 2022-06-12 | Kelowna | Business Growth, Digital / High-tech |
 How the Kelowna Innovation Centre is transforming the Okanagan into Canada’s fastest growing tech hubIn 2017, the Centre received a $3.4 million investment from PacifiCan, which helped develop and finish a new building to house innovators and foster entrepreneurship. Location: Kelowna |
| 2022-10-11 | Vancouver | Life Sciences |  Tireless efforts of Vancouver innovator are preventing fatigue-related injuries and saving livesFatigue Science’s platform analyzes data like work hours, surveys, demographics, and optionally, sleep patterns. $300,000 in PacifiCan support allowed Fatigue Science to enhance and scale up its fatigue management information system platform, enabling more accurate and personalized predictions. Location: Vancouver |
| 2022 | Vancouver | Life Sciences |
 Three ways that Hatch Life has increased biotechnology research capacity and mentorship at UBCThe University of British Columbia has a long history of transforming research into impactful treatments, products and services that contribute to the social and economic fabric of Canada. Location: Vancouver |
| 2022 | Vancouver; Burnaby | Clean technology |  B.C. cleantech innovators tackle environmental issues and create a cleaner futureIn 2020, we spoke with some of British Columbia’s most promising cleantech innovators to learn more about their vision for a cleaner, greener future. Since receiving funding from PacifiCan a few years ago, they have made incredible progress in that pursuit. Location: Vancouver; Burnaby |
| 2022 | British Columbia | Women, Skills & Training, Business Growth |  WeBC supports women entrepreneurs through the pandemic and beyondWeBC shares the incredible local impact of PacifiCan funding since 2020 Location: British Columbia |
| 2022 | Vancouver | Advanced Manufacturing, Digital Technology |  Making Canada a world-leading centre of innovation: How SiEPICfab is accelerating the fabrication of silicon photonicsIn 2019, we provided $2.95M in funding to the Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute for a new world-class nanofabrication facility to support quantum technology development. Now, this infrastructure is the cornerstone of SiEPICfab, which is accelerating the fabrication of silicon photonics in Canada. Location: Vancouver |
| 2020-11-17 | Cariboo-Chilcoti | Clean technology, Indigenous, Natural resources |  British Columbia communities power up with sustainable clean energy systemsBC-based not-for-profit organization, FPInnovations, partnered with the Lhoosk'uz Dené Nation’s to develop a new biomass energy system to power community buildings, create jobs, stimulate the economy, and reduce reliance on diesel. Location: Cariboo-Chilcotin |
| 2020-10-23 | Vancouver | Women, entrepreneurship |  Vancouver business creates sustainable products from recycled materialsAisle is creating diverse and sustainable menstrual products for women across Canada. Location: Vancouver |
| 2020-10-21 | Victoria | Business growth, women |  Women’s Enterprise Initiative helps Victoria niche bakery expandOrigin Bakery co-owners Tara Black and Marion Scott have found their niche selling gluten-free goods in Victoria, British Columbia. With support from the Women’s Enterprise Center, Tara and Marion run a thriving business with a sweet future. Location: Victoria |
| 2020-10-19 | Vancouver | Women, business growth, entrepreneurship |  Coworking space in Vancouver gives entrepreneurs a taste of on-the-job work-life balanceChristina Disler started Werklab with a vision to transform our relationship to work. Now she is helping entrepreneurs and small business-owners achieve work-life balance through “The Werk”, an online health and wellness editorial platform for business owners. Location: Vancouver |
| 2020-10-16 | British Columbia | Business growth, economic diversification, clean technology, clean resources |  Four B.C. cleantech innovators envisage a cleaner, greener futureHydrogen Technology and Energy Corporation (HTEC), Acuva Technologies, Quadrogen Power Systems, and BumperNow are four BC-based cleantech companies transforming the cleantech ecosystem Publication Date: 2020-10-16 |
| 2020-08-19 | Nelson | Francophone, Tourism, Women |  Local luxury hat shop attracts cultural tourists to Nelson, B.C.With the support of the Francophone Economic Development Organizations (FEDOs) and the Économusée network, Lillie and Cohoe is establishing its luxury hat shop as a cultural tourism destination in the heart of Nelson, B.C. Location: Nelson |
| 2020-03-09 | British Columbia | Women, Francophone |  Francophone women entrepreneurs boost each other across British ColumbiaFrancophone women in British Columbia are building their businesses with each other’s support. Their secret weapon is a program called Femmes d’affaires en Mouvement (FAM), which means “businesswomen on the move”. Location: British Columbia |
| 2020-02-03 | Burnaby | Advanced Manufacturing |  Tech firms get an advanced manufacturing lab in Burnaby to build and test nanosensorsThese days, it seems like the online universe is expanding from computers to everyday items. With a smartphone, we can unlock doors and adjust thermostats. Location: Burnaby |
| 2019-06-28 | British Columbia | Francophone |  Official Languages: Who’s your “twin”?At Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) we’re bolstering our bilingual bench strength in both official languages. Location: British Columbia |
| 2019-02-05 | British Columbia | Clean technology, Digital technology |  High-tech protects crops and reduces pollution from B.C. farms and orchardsFarmers and engineers are working together to keep fresh produce on our shelves. They are finding innovative solutions to challenges from climate change, harmful pesticides, and crop disease. Location: British Columbia |
| 2019-02-05 | Burnaby | Digital technology, Trade |  Canadian naval technology makes navigation waves on a global levelOver 600 naval vessels across the globe rely on tactical navigation software from British Columbia's OSI Maritime Inc. Location: Burnaby |
| 2019-02-05 | British Columbia | Community economic development |  British Columbia communities rebuild after 2017 and 2018 wildfiresThe 2017 and 2018 wildfire seasons were the worst in British Columbia's history. British Columbians regrouped and WD was there to help. Location: British Columbia |
| 2018-08-04 | Maple Ridge | Youth, Community economic development |  Karina LeBlanc's Field of Dreams gives people a space for fitness and motivationCanadian Olympic soccer star Karina Leblanc now has a sports field in Maple Ridge, BC, where she can share her passion for sports with the next generation of Canadian athletes. Location: Maple Ridge |
| 2018-08-04 | Vancouver | Clean technology |  Vancouver company innovates with plant-based plastic packagingIf only there were durable packaging materials that were also biodegradable. A western Canadian company may have the solution. Location: Vancouver |
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