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Peer2Peer: Share. Learn. Collaborate.

Mon, 14 May 2012 13:13:00 -0700

Informal and interactive, Peer2Peer Groups provide the opportunity for professionals holding similar positions within the BC tech industry to share knowledge, offer advice, and work together to solve problems.

Find the group that's right for you, and recommend groups to your team:

CFO Group:
Are you a CFO or EVP/SVP/VP of Finance, or do you hold an equivalent top executive title within your company? Join the CFO Group to take part in roundtable discussions on various topics brought forth by CFO Group members, in a confidential room of peers who understand the responsibilities of being a CFO. Learn more...

CTO Group:
Are you a CTO or EVP/SVP/VP of R&D, or do you hold an equivalent top executive title within your company? Join the CTO Group to network with your peers, share experience, expertise and knowledge, and discuss topics such as IP Law, cloud computing, development methodologies and many more. Learn more...

NEW! Product Design & Development Group:
Are you a Product Design Manager, a designer, or the person responsible for the innovation process in your company? Join the PD&D Group to discuss the development cycle and the design aspect of products, services, web sites, etc. Learn more...

Product Management Group:
Are you a Product Manager, Product Marketing Managers or the person responsible for product management in your organization? Join PMG to discuss current technology issues and challenges in creating and using technology to further your company objectives. Learn more...

Sales & Marketing Group:
Are you the Director or VP of Sales & Marketing, or fulfilling an equivalent senior level sales/marketing role in your company? Join SMG to share knowledge around current trends, share best practices and gain insight on current challenges. Learn more...

Can't find the group for you?
Email community@bctia.org to learn how to start your own Peer2Peer Group!

The Peer2Peer Program is a BCTIA member-only benefit. Attendees must work for a BCTIA member company in any technology sector, whose core business is the development and/or distribution of technology-based products or services.

"New Data" on Jobs Only Tells Part of the Story

Wed, 09 May 2012 14:00:00 -0700

The current press release by Freshgigs trumpeting flat job growth in BC’s tech sector is telling only part of the story. 　

Their assumptions were based solely on the BIV Top 100 High Tech companies list, which is a thin slice of the 9,000 tech companies in BC, and therefore should not be viewed as an indication of the overall job growth experienced by our industry.

Many of the emerging and growth companies in our community posted double digit percentage increases in staffing over the past year. In fact, based on the labour study published by the BCTIA just this past February, companies reported an average employment increase of 12.5%. Across the board, our industry predicts an increase of 3,000 to 4,000 new jobs will be added to BC’s tech sector this year.

It's apparent that many large tech companies have held steady on their staffing levels, which is consistent with global corporations in every industry. This seems to be a reflection of the continued uncertainty in the economic outlook for global markets and the desire for companies to maintain a conservative position amidst that uncertainty.　

That said, the macro trends point to a continuation of strong demand for BC tech jobs in the coming year.　　

Origin of the Product Design & Development Group

Wed, 09 May 2012 10:00:00 -0700

By Jon Winebrenner

I approached the BCTIA several months ago about figuring out a way I could work with them to help rise the collective tide for the Vancouver-area Design Industry. The impetus for this conversation was formed on a trip I took to Taiwan to take part in the International Council for the Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID) General Assembly. The conference was a monumental undertaking rumored to have had $20+ Million of support from the Taiwanese Government. Based on the scale and observational impact of the conference, that is probably a conservative number.

Seeing the level of investment Taiwan was putting towards the Design Industry struck fear in me making my Designer blood run cold. Busloads of school children were being exposed to fantastic expos on the topic Design & Innovation. Multiple galleries were standing room only. The sheer volume of people exposed to Design was unfathomable in North America. You could shoot a cannonball through similar galleries in Canada and not hit a single person. The ramifications of this kind of investment will not be seen for a decade or more, but I believe it is going to do more than rise the tide of Design in Canada, it is going to have the effect of a tidal wave. Exposing that number of children to the concept of Design and Innovation is going to reap serious dividends in the years to come.

It was after this trip that I started some conversations with the BCTIA and we decided to start with a grassroots approach to this subject. On May 23rd, we will be launching the Product Design & Development Group. The group is hopefully the beginning of many discussions about Design & Innovation amongst peers with the goal of figuring out what we can do to bring more visibility to B.C.’s Tech Design Community.

BC's Tech Industry...

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 09:52:00 -0700

How did all of this get started?

BC’s technology industry continues to gain momentum. We have outperformed the BC economy as a whole for the past decade, we employ more people today than the mining, forestry, oil and gas sectors combined, and our revenue growth is outpacing the rest of Canada. Clearly our opportunities for greater success are significant, but do you ever stop to wonder just how BC’s tech industry got started?

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), through two BC technology industry genealogy projects (1997 & 2003 Techmaps), identified that BC Tel was at the center of the creation of today’s technology industry, back in 1891.

Our technology industry has been through some dramatic changes in the past 9 years and PricewaterhouseCoopers remains curious about the progression of our industry. So much so, that they’ve decided to launch the BC Techmap 2012 project.

What's different for BC Techmap 2012?

It will include an expanded number of companies and industry changes since 2003, including recognition of new technology sub-sectors and evidence of regional diversification.

It will be an interactive website that displays how companies are mapped to each other and will include pop-up profiles with web link access to company websites.

Want to get on the map?

If you are a company with ties to BC’s technology industry (past or present) we look forward to your participation in the BC Techmap 2012 project. Click here to go to the PwC survey page and complete the confidential survey.

Seize the opportunity to be etched into BC’s technology industry history!

Member Feedback on the Federal Budget

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:23:00 -0700

Despite an early morning start, we had an enthusiastic turnout for our TechForum breakfast event which took place on Tuesday, April 17th, where we convened a community-led discussion on the impact of the federal budget on the BC tech industry. The panel (consisting of Richard Remillard from CVCA, Joanne Hausch from Deloitte, Brian Gerson from PMC and David Gratton from Work at Play) was both animated and informative – plus we had a pretty vigorous debate about R&D policy, capital access and SR&ED.

It became evident that the budget has varying implications for companies depending on their size, stage and sector. This was further reinforced during our roundtable discussion where members of the BCTIA shared their viewpoints and reactions to the budget.

I’d like to thank everyone who participated in the discussion as it will be tremendously helpful in preparing our feedback to the federal government.

Based on your input, we will be preparing a draft of our feedback and circulating it with our members by early next week. We hope you’ll continue to provide your input as we formalize our response to government.

To stay up-to-date with our advocacy efforts and policy priorities, please click here.

BIV's BC Tech to Feature TIA Winners

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:11:00 -0700

Business in Vancouver’s BC Tech magazine hits the streets June 19^th with a ten page spread devoted to the winners of the 2012 Technology Impact Awards.

For those unfamiliar with the magazine, BC Tech is BC’s definitive annual magazine covering the province’s technology sector. Editorial examines several key tech sectors, including:

Aerospace
Information and Communication
New Media
Energy
Life Sciences (Biotechnology)
Sustainability (Clean Tech)
Wireless

Aside from in depth editorial coverage of BC’s technology industry, a major draw for readers is the magazine’s detailed directory of tech companies, sorted by industry, plus its annual lists of the biggest tech companies in BC. This comprehensive directory, covering the technology industries of BC with hundreds of detailed company listings and informative editorial content makes BC Tech the most referred-to source book for B.C.'s high tech sector.

To view the current issue of BC Tech, click here.

To be a part of the 2012 issue, view advertising rates here.

Check out this year's editorial lineup.

Partner Event: Social Media Camp

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:41:00 -0700

June 8-9 in Victoria, BC

Content Provided By Social Media Camp

You’re finally through with wishing it away, and have decided it’s time to learn how this whole 'Social Media' thing works. If that sounds familiar, Social Media Camp is for you!

If you're already familiar with Social Media and looking for something more advanced, don't worry, Social Media Camp is for you too!

All of the sessions have been separated into “Beginner” and “Advanced”, so that you can decide ahead of time where you'd like to go.

In fact, the first half of Friday, June 8th has been loaded full of hands-on workshops hosted by experts from around North America, where you can learn the basics of:

Social Media Security
Twitter
Facebook
Wildfire
YouTube and
TweetSpinner

And once you’ve got your feet wet, you’ll be ready to explore the many other sessions.

In addition to the workshops, Social Media Camp also features keynote presentations from Chris Brogan, Erica Ehm and Simon Salt

For more information or to register visit www.socialmediacamp.ca.

Worried about getting to Victoria? Vancouverites can catch the #60seatlimo

We’re also excited to announce a travel and accommodation package that promises to take professional development out of stodgy board rooms.

“The #60seatlimo package is a great opportunity for you to practice your skills, share with other social media enthusiasts, and get a great deal without having to worry about the travel logistics. “We wanted to make it easy for anyone from the Lower Mainland to attend Social Media Camp without worrying about ferry lineups, parking, or driving directions.”

$499 package includes Social Media Camp registration, accommodation, transportation and a bus-full of fun.

‘Campers’ will board the coach with SMC speaker Rebecca Bollwitt, aka Miss604, who will lead an informal on-line learning experience throughout the trip.

Registration for the #60seatlimo package is available until May 1, 2012. For more information, click here.

Erica Ehm to Emcee West Coast Social Media Awards

And if that wasn’t enough, we are super stoked to announce former rock and roll TV host turned digital publisher, Erica Ehm, will host the West Coast Social Media Awards celebration on June 8.

A born multi-tasker, Ehm will host the awards Friday night, and then take a turn at the podium as keynote speaker on Saturday.

“I went from rock’n roll to rocking a cradle” says Ehm, who has created an online community for mothers struggling with the reality of being a modern parent. “As the site grew I immersed myself in social media when I realized there was a digital audience craving lessons on how to keep the woman in the mom.” The YummyMummyClub.ca website has multiple bloggers and is a powerful resource for women who see the world through the prism of motherhood.

Be sure to register before it sells out, and remember to use discount code: BCTIA10 to save 10% off any registration!

BCTIA Member Exclusive: Offer from Business in Vancouver

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:00:00 -0700

The BCTIA is pleased to be able to offer exclusive deals "by members... for members" as part of our Member2Member program. For a limited time only, BCTIA Members are eligible to receive a complimentary 6 month subscription to Business in Vancouver.

An annual subscription to BIV includes:

Weekly in-depth editorial coverage of the Vancouver business scene.
10 industry focused magazines mailed out with your subscription, including BC Tech.
Opt-in business e-news updates and over 15 years of online archives
Reduced pricing on BIV events like Forty under 40
Editorial features and company lists ranked by industry, including:
- Top 100 Tech Companies in BC
- Top 100 BC-based Tech Firms (by revenue)
- Top 100 Video Game Companies
- The Technology Report Quarterly

To take advantage of this limited special offer, visit www.biv.com/subscribe

Use promo code: BCTIA

DemoDay Insider: Indicee

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:19:00 -0700

Next up in our series, DemoDay Insider, Indicee's Marketing Director, Scott Waldrum, shares his take on the journey up to DemoDay 2012, and what the experience was like for the Indicee team.

"When Indicee was initially asked to take part in DemoDay 2012, we were thrilled. We had recently released a new version of our cloud business intelligence platform and launched our partner program for companies that need embedded analytics. DemoDay would be a great way to hone our messaging, get the word out to several hundred local technology businesses and get a great, well-produced video we could use going forward.

All we had to do was put together a 5 minute presentation and demo. That should be easy, we demo to prospects virtually every day.

Fast forward 3 weeks, I'm standing at the back of a packed room, going over my script one more time, waiting for Indicee's turn to take to the stage. Liz Adams, from Indicee, is going to be running the demo while I narrate it, has her laptop out making sure everything is ready to go. It's at this point I appreciate the effort it took to get ready for the event and to be placed amongst the best and brightest tech companies in BC.

The presentation script had taken several days to write. The one minute intro began at over 3 minutes and kept getting longer, not shorter, with every revision. Maybe I could talk a bit faster, squeeze a bit more in! My voice was getting pretty raspy from so many practice runs. The script finally took shape after a few more sessions with the DemoDay group. I couldn't help but wonder what the Indicee Development Team would think of my 1 minute trivialization of their hard work over several years.

That was just the intro script! We decided on a relatively complex demo. We wanted to showcase how easy it is to embed Indicee reports and dashboards into any other cloud application. The demo had to move seamlessly between the Indicee app, a real-time demo of embedding a report into a 3rd party cloud solution, and a demo of one of our partner apps, Allocadia, that uses Indicee-powered dashboards and reports in their cloud service.

Despite the fantastic coaching we'd received from Adam Lorant, one of the CEOs-in-Residence at the BCTIA, it had been a challenge. There are lots of potential technical problems that accompany a live demo preparation. How good will the internet connection be? This is a cloud app after all! What resolution will the projectors be? Will we be able to show the high resolution dashboards we spent so much time on? Talk to anyone that has participated in a DEMO format and they'll tell you it's all about what goes wrong and how you deal with it.

Fortunately, the hard work paid off. Our demo went smoothly, Liz managed to keep up with my off-script adventures and, to wrap things up, we were joined onstage by Kristine Steuart, CEO and Co-Founder of Allocadia, to provide an in-person testimonial as to the value of Indicee. What an endorsement!

With the main event over, we were finally able to relax with a glass of wine and chat to members of the audience and the other presenters. As Indicee is focused on building partnerships with ISVs that need reporting and analytics for their own applications, one of the best parts of the experience for us was meeting other local startups that are building truly innovative products.

So, was it worth it? It was challenging, hard work and a little nerve-wracking... but we'd definitely do it again."

If you would like to see the final version of Indicee's demo, or any of our other presenting companies, the videos are available on our DemoDay 2012 page. Simply select the company of your choice and view the video straight from their profile.

To learn more about Indicee, check out their DemoDay profile, or visit them on the web at www.indicee.com.

Member Spotlight: CounterPath

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 11:34:00 -0700

I often hear from BCTIA members that the majority of their clients and partners are located outside of BC, so I was thrilled to learn that one of Canada’s biggest technology players looked in their own backyard first when making a recent technology breakthrough.

As you’ve likely already heard, Rogers Communications, a BCTIA member and Canada’s largest wireless provider, began promoting their Rogers One Number™ service in February; a service that allows Canadians to use their wireless numbers as the “one number” to stay in contact through talk or text whether using a mobile device or computer. What you may not have realized, is that another BC-based, BCTIA Member, CounterPath, is responsible for making this flexibility and ease of use possible.

CounterPath is in the business of building innovative desktop and mobile VoIP software products, and are rapidly changing the face of telecommunications. Founded in 2002, CounterPath has undergone substantial growth in the last ten years and now employs a team of over 70 people right here in BC. Under the leadership of Telecomm veteran Donovan Jones, CounterPath recently reported record revenue of $3.5 million, up 15% from the same fiscal quarter last year.

CounterPath also continues to make news as recipients of not one, but three Telephony Product of the Year awards through the Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC), and are quickly becoming fixtures at the top of success lists published by Business in Vancouver, TSX and the Vancouver Sun. Their flagship product, Bria, is showing no signs of slowing down either, and has been adapted for use on Android, iPad and iPhone in addition to traditional Windows and Mac desktop editions. In fact, CounterPath just today announced that the Internet Telephony Service Providers Association (ITSPA) has named CounterPath's Bria iPad Edition mobile softphone as the recipient of its 2012 Most Innovative VoIP Product Award.

On the heels of this revolutionary offering from two BC-based success stories, the BCTIA is excited to announce that CounterPath will be hosting our next PowerMatch; an invite-only opportunity for BCTIA member tech companies to connect, exchange ideas, explore new business opportunities, and build their networks. If you are interested in learning more about PowerMatch, check it out online, or email community@bctia.org.

Being able to provide these platforms to connect and create local business relationships is a primary focus of the BCTIA. We believe in the strength of the “home-field advantage” and encourage our membership to seize the opportunities that are right here in our own backyards! At the BCTIA, we rely on our members to support our efforts, but by supporting one another, our members also continue to strengthen the future of technology here in BC.

In case you missed it, view the Rogers One Number™ promo below...

DemoDay Insider: MediaCore

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 12:30:00 -0700

On March 8, 2012 the BCTIA Centre4Growth hosted its first DemoDay. It was a new experience for the BCTIA team, but it was also an exciting time for the companies involved. Now that the DemoDay dust has started to settle, a few of our presenting companies are sharing what the experience was like for them, in a series we're calling, DemoDay Insider. First up, Victoria-based MediaCore shares their thoughts and reflects on what participating in DemoDay has meant to them...

"DemoDay 2012 was a great experience from the beginning to the end for MediaCore. It helped us solidify our goals, hone our sales techniques and practice our pitch. But, beyond simply providing direction and reinforcement for the sales side of the company, DemoDay also provided us with several other major benefits.

First, it allowed us to demo for and directly interact with potential clients. We’ve participated in several similar events recently, but none have offered the opportunity to directly connect with BC clients that we were looking to target - and this is exactly what DemoDay did. They asked us what organizations we wanted to connect with and got them in front of us. For start-ups to have access to over 100 senior executives from some of the largest corporations and institutions in BC is a very rare and valuable opportunity that we were lucky to be a part of.

Second, we really benefited from sharing and providing feedback on the sales pitch ideas with the other founders. Nothing is better than bouncing ideas off entrepreneurs involved in various aspects of technology and getting instantaneous, multifaceted feedback. It’s a very effective format since they understand what you do, but are far enough away from your company to provide an objective and insightful perspective.

Finally, the mentorship leading up to, throughout and following DemoDay was absolutely fantastic. Adam, Katelyn, Bill, Sabrina, Cindy and the entire BCTIA and Centre4Growth teams provided each and every presenting company with the necessary tools, skills and platform to effectively reach their target clients. I truly appreciate all of their hard work and dedication getting the first demo day off the ground!

I hope the success of DemoDay 2012 leads it to become an annual event as it offered an array of benefits for MediaCore. It was the perfect mix of techniques, feedback, direction and practice that made every single presenting company proud of their pitch on March 8. Congrats to all the presenting companies and thanks to all those who helped make DemoDay happen!"

Did you miss this amazing event? Don't worry, the videos of each presenting company's pitch have now been loaded to our DemoDay 2012 page. Simply select the company of your choice and view the video straight from their profile.

To learn more about MediaCore, check out their DemoDay page here, or visit them on the web at www.mediacore.com.

That's a Wrap! DemoDay 2012 Videos Released!

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:30:00 -0700

On March 8, 2012 over one hundred members of the local business, investment and technology communities gathered for the BCTIA Centre4Growth's inaugural DemoDay. An event designed to showcase the best and brightest technology companies in BC and their innovative products, DemoDay featured product demonstrations from 13 local tech superstars.

Taking to the stage at DemoDay 2012 were: 7Geese, APRIO Inc, Binder, Colligo Networks, Conquer Mobile, DimeRocker, Indicee, LookeeTV Inc, MediaCore, Partnerpedia, SayZu Analytics, Trusterra Technologies Inc, and Wifarer Inc.

During the Innovators' Reception that followed the demos, three of the presenting companies were honored with awards for Audience Choice, Investors' Choice, and the highly-coveted, Best in Show.

Taking home the accolades were:

Audience Choice: Wifarer Inc.
Investors' Choice: MediaCore
Best in Show: SayZu Analytics

Although these three companies took home the hardware, all of the companies were truly amazing in their presentations. Each proved, without a doubt, why they deserved to be presenting at DemoDay, and why those looking to adopt or invest in new technologies, should take notice!

Are you sad that you missed this incredible event? Don't worry, now you can see it on video!

Each of the demos were recorded for your viewing pleasure, simply visit the DemoDay 2012 home page and select the company of your choice.

To read more about this highly successful event, take a look at BCTIA President & CEO, Bill Tam's thoughts on "DemoDay 2012: Instilling a Home Team Advantage" as published on Techvibes earlier this week.

Congratulations to all of the presenting companies, and thank you to everyone who helped to make DemoDay 2012 such a wonderful event!

Thoughts on Clean Tech & GLOBE 2012

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:30:00 -0700

B.C.'s clean tech sector includes 202 companies, provides over 8,400 well-paying jobs and generates more than $2.5 billion in revenues.

We’ve got plenty of reasons to be excited about this growing sector in B.C. It's providing sustainable solutions that increase the competitiveness of our traditional industries and is part of a broader technology industry that is engineering rapid advances to bring socially responsible solutions to global climate change.

Premier Christy Clark's keynote at the 2012 GLOBE Conference highlighted how clean technology is vital to the B.C. economy. Clark also released a report, B.C.'s Green Economy: Growing Green Jobs that shares the province’s initiatives to support the Clean Tech Sector.

We are keenly interested in the province’s upcoming B.C. Technology strategy and look forward to working in partnership with the province to build upon the tremendous assets we already have in place. We live in an era of transformative technologies. BCTIA members rely on research and development funding, for example, to maintain their competitive advantage in the increasingly global market place.

The evolution of transformative technologies (anything from digital cars to mobile payments, to the creation of an ‘internet of things’) can be delayed or accelerated by public policy. In particular, government policy can remove roadblocks to innovation and commercial success. This in turn results in high quality jobs and successful businesses.

It’s important to remember that B.C’s tech industry is both vibrant and diverse. The Clean Tech Sector is one of five major sectors that include a proud history of innovation, outstanding talent and market leaders in information technology and wireless, digital and life sciences.

At the BCTIA, we grow companies by connecting people, removing barriers, and accelerating commercial success. As the voice for technology, we work to foster solid relationships with the broader tech community and key partners like the provincial government. In doing so, we strengthen the industry as a whole.

BIV Forty Under 40 Winner Speaks to Leadership March 27th

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:30:00 -0800

At its simplest definition, a leader is someone who influences a larger group of individuals to achieve a common goal. So what does it take to be an inspirational and effective leader?

Erin Chutter, president and director of Puget Ventures and BIV 2011 Forty under 40 winner believes her success is due to an unwavering persistence to succeed.

“One of the character traits I admire more and more in people is persistence,” she says. “It’s easy when things are going really well to take credit for things that would’ve happened anyway, but when you run into challenges or see someone who has been persistent day in and day out, that’s something I really appreciate.”

These days, Chutter’s mining mettle is tested every day in Vancouver’s extremely competitive junior exploration sector, which is home to more than 800 companies. When she’s not volunteering in her community or raising her family, Chutter is downtown working with investors, bankers, colleagues and project partners to build Puget Ventures into the world’s next cobalt producer.

But her career hasn’t always been about rocks. Chutter started out as a strategic planning and communications consultant and has helped run political campaigns for the likes of former premier Gordon Campbell.

Eventually, she caught the mining bug and set out to start a company of her own. In 2011, Chutter engineered a reverse-takeover deal that gave Puget a large cobalt deposit in Siberia. The Russian government has also committed $400 million to help build the project. Chutter said although building a junior exploration company is tough work, it’s not all that different from running a political campaign.

”It’s very much like putting together a campaign; you need to put together strategy, attract and hire the right technical talent, inspire a team, get everyone working in the same direction and ask perfect strangers for money.”

Erin will be a panelist at Business in Vancouver's Business Excellence Series Red Breakfast, March 27th at the Marriott Pinnacle Downtown. The RED Breakfast focuses on leadership, examining what types of skills, characteristics and experiences combine to create great leaders and great managers.

Demo Day Company, MediaCore, Talks Centre4Growth Coaching Services

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:54:00 -0800

Have you heard of MediaCore? If you haven’t yet, you will soon.

MediaCore is an up-and-coming, Victoria-based startup that helps educational institutions and organizations deliver fully customizable video learning experiences that educators can use to engage students and staff, increase retention and facilitate faster learning. As they say in their pitch, they want to “Transform the way we learn through the power of video.”

MediaCore is also a Centre4Growth client, and here’s what Stuart Bowness, CEO & Founder of MediaCore, had to say about their experience with the program:

“In November of 2011, MediaCore was in the process of closing its seed round of funding and we were having to make some tough decisions about who to involve in closing our round. Luckily for us we had just joined the Centre4Growth and had just been assigned a mentor. Late one afternoon I sent our mentor a quick email and 2 hours later we were sitting at a coffee shop having an in-depth discussion about the whole issue.

As we debated pros and cons of each offer on the table I became increasingly grateful for the program, as it's not every day that you get a senior-level executive in the form of a mentor who has been there, done that, spilt blood, and has the gumption to help you make some tough decisions. The chat that evening gave me some great food for thought, and the very next day I had made a decision on which angel investors we would be choosing for our seed round.”

If you, like Stuart, are looking to build and grow your company, you should apply to meet with a CEO-in-Residence today!

If you’re more interested in seeing what MediaCore has to offer, why not meet Stuart and his team in person? They’ll be showing off their stuff, live and on-stage at Demo Day 2012 on March 8th at the Pan Paciﬁc Hotel.

Get more information and buy your tickets here.

Obviously we’re not the only ones excited about MediaCore; use the following links to see what TechCrunch and TechVibes have to say about them.

Top 10 Facts About the BC Technology Industry

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:21:00 -0800

Everyone loves a good Top 10 list, so in honor of the release of the 2012 TechTalentBC Labour Study, allow me to present the BCTIA's own Top 10 list of facts about the BC Technology Industry.

TOP 10 FACTS ABOUT THE B.C. TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY

More than 80,000 people work in the British Columbia technology sector.
There are more than 8,000 companies and more than 16,000 sole proprietors working in technology in B.C.
The tech sector created more than 20,000 jobs in B.C. the past 10 years.
Technology companies surveyed expect to create 3,000 and as many as 4,000 new jobs between now and September 2012.
The technology sector now employs more people than the forestry, mining, and oil and gas sectors combined.
The Technology sector has outperformed the BC economy as a whole for the past decade.
Revenue growth in B.C.’s tech sector is outpacing the rest of Canada.
Technology jobs grew 50 per cent faster than overall job growth in the province.
Technology wages are 50 per cent higher than the average industrial wage in B.C.
82 per cent of tech companies are small businesses with ten or fewer employees.

All of these facts, and more, can be found in the complete 2012 TechTalentBC Labour Study. To see the complete study, or download your own copy, click here.

The Lead up to SR&ED in the Next Budget

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:19:00 -0800

There’s been a lot of consternation on what’s likely to happen in the upcoming federal budget – particularly as it relates to SR&ED.

At Davos and increasingly here at home, the feds have indicated that they’re giving serious consideration to the recommendations from the Jenkins report which includes several proposed changes to SR&ED.

For the past few months, we’ve been busy meeting with federal and provincial policy makers to share our perspective and that of our tech community here in BC.

There are between 1500 and 2000 companies that benefit from SR&ED here in BC.
Over 5,000 jobs are a direct result of funding supported by SR&ED.
Every $1 of SR&ED tax credit results in $1 of tax revenue.*

Armed with those figures, we’ve been consistently reinforcing the following messages in reaction to the Jenkins recommendations:

Changes to SR&ED should emphasize certainty and expand eligibility NOT move to a labour-only calculation.
SR&ED is an Access to Capital issue for SMEs and should allow refundability for non-CCPCs.
Ensure that any changes to SR&ED are implemented on a gradual basis to allow companies to adapt.

Now all we have to do is wait to see what the federal budget will look like.

*Based on extrapolating the tax revenue data contained in the venture tax credit study authored by Professor Thomas Hellman at Sauder Business School, UBC. Click here to read the full report.

Member Spotlight: Make Technologies

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:11:00 -0800

They Make it happen

With a community that is constantly growing, it's nice to take a moment to catch up with long-standing members and see just how far they've come. One such member, is Make Technologies.

Part of the BCTIA since 2001, Make Technologies is a great example of a Vancouver born and bred company that MAKE up some of our most active members in the BC Technology Community. (Sometimes it's hard to resist a good pun.) Founded in 1999 and led by Tech C-Suite veteran Bill Bergen, Make has been listed as a Deloitte Technology Fast 500 growing company, boasting revenue growth of 230% from 2006-2010.

In just a few short years Make Technologies has gone from a handful of offices to taking over entire building floors. Always a fixture at BCTIA Peer Groups and networking events, Make Technologies is MAKEing themselves known within the community, attracting business and creating partnerships as they continue to grow.

A leading global provider of legacy modernization software and services, Make Technologies is a trusted partner of Oracle and IBM, and their clientele span a broad range of disciplines. There is no doubt that Make Technologies is a BCTIA Member on the rise, and we'll be keeping our eye out for more of their successes int the future.

To visit Make Technologies on the web, please click here.

Passion in Our Midst

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:35:00 -0800

In January, when we published a short article in the quarterly Corporate Recruiters Newsletter, it was amazing to hear the enthusiastic response from our tech community in recognition of how much we’ve been able to achieve in spite of the ups and downs of our market.

We had a chance to share this story with the broader business community at BC Business Council’s 2012 Annual Economic Forum just before the holidays – and we received a similarly enthusiastic response.

For those of you who haven't seen the presentation, here it is:

I would also like to give kudos to the BCBC folks for putting on a truly insightful event.

OpenCal Opens Up About Centre4Growth

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:40:00 -0800

In September 2011, Centre4Growth client and Vancouver-born start-up, OpenCal, was acquired by daily deal giant, Groupon. (NASDAQ: GRPN) Founded in 2009 by software designers Simon Vallee and Arash Shiva, OpenCal offers a simple and easy way for merchants to manage schedules and accept bookings, and has become the inspiration for Groupon Scheduler.

Months before this acquisition took place, OpenCal applied to Centre4Growth’s CEO-in-Residence (CIR) program. In early 2011, Vallee and Shiva began working with CIR-turned-BCTIA President, Bill Tam, and later worked with experienced entrepreneur, and CIR, Sandra Wear. The CIRs worked with Vallee and Shiva to continue to grow OpenCal and its value. Part of that work included advice on channel development for reselling OpenCal’s flagship product. That summer, Groupon was identified as a potential key channel partner, and the discussion quickly jumped from partnering to acquisition. Due to their extensive and varied expertise, the CIRs were able to provide assistance every step of the way.

In his own words, Vallee says of OpenCal’s experience with Centre4Growth:

"When you're spending every waking hour thinking about and working on your own business, you can get trapped in your own echo chamber. When you talk to the CEOs-in-Residence at the Centre4Growth, they'll provide hard-earned context to your current situation. To us, they offered invaluable outside perspective and guidance that helped us make better business decisions at critical moments and as opportunities developed.

When we started talks to sell our company, their experience really shone through. They helped shape our negotiation strategy and were there with us every step of the way. You could spend $50k on an investment banker, or you could talk to Sandra. The investment bankers have enough money anyways.

Meeting with the Centre4Growth is bar none one of the best moves we made at OpenCal. The people at the Centre4Growth really know their stuff, and gave us their utmost attention. I feel like I can't oversell them."

With this exciting news, Vallee and Shiva join an increasing list of BC-based entrepreneurs who have taken their company to the next level by leveraging the experience of our CIRs and the many resources the Centre4Growth provides.

Are you looking to build and grow your company? Apply to meet with a CEO-in-Residence today!

Read more about OpenCal and their deal with Groupon in Business in Vancouver, Business Insider and TechCrunch.

Aligning Priorities: A National Summit of Tech Associations Across Canada

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:08:00 -0800

Last week, we held the first of what I expect will be a regular get-together of tech associations across the country – to survey the landscape, compare notes and determine if there were common policy items that spanned our respective areas. It was an extremely well-informed group which consisted of representatives from Toronto (MaRs), Waterloo (Communitech), Ottawa (OCRI), Montreal (AQT), Nova Scotia (Tech South-east) and nationally (ITAC).

Our friends at OCRI were gracious enough to host this gathering at their new offices in Ottawa – an ideal choice of location for policy work – which also provided us with an opportunity to meet with federal officials to share the results of our discussions on Day 2 of the summit.

Going into the sessions, we were all a bit uncertain as to whether the issues faced by tech companies in our respective regions would truly be universal. Turns out they are. In fact, we were able to boil down the top 4 priority issues within a fairly short period of time.

Here they are (more or less in priority order):

SR&ED. This remains a key enabler of tech company growth in Canada and a core funding source for start-up companies. IRAP has been essential for direct R&D support. Both programs are critical.
Access to Capital. This is especially pronounced at the Angel and Series A stages.
Access to Talent. This is essential in fueling the growth of tech companies and requires the streamlining of immigration processes and strategic education programs in STEM.
Procurement. This involves finding innovative ways to promote the home-grown adoption of technology from Canadian tech SMEs

The message was well received by our federal government colleagues – not so much because there was new content, but more because it came from a collective voice of tech associations across the country.

There’s still much to do, but we feel pretty good that we’ve started a platform for more collaboration. It proves there’s power in numbers.

Kick off 2012 with TechBrew: The Ultimate Tech Mega-Mixer!

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:03:00 -0800

I am pretty sure you have all heard about it by now, but I wanted to write a quick line about our upcoming TechBrew! Everyone is welcome to attend, so if you haven’t been to one yet, make a note and pencil in Jan 26, 2012!

Quickly becoming known as “The Ultimate Tech Mega-Mixer,” TechBrew is a tri-annual event targeted at entrepreneurs, investors, professional service providers and anyone interested in technology, inviting them to meet and make connections in a casual networking environment. Delivered in an informal setting, attendees will see cool new technologies through live demonstrations, develop new business contacts, network with influential decision-makers and be introduced to cutting-edge entrepreneurs and innovators.

TechBrew features winners and finalists of the Technology Impact Awards, in addition to a selection of start-up companies as part of the ‘Brewing Success’ initiative, and draws over 200 members of the local tech community.

Join us, and your fellow BCTIA members, for an evening of inspiration, networking... and beer!

Jan 26^th from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at Stanley Park Pavilion.

To view our featured companies and to purchase tickets, click here.

Some photos from TechBrew in November 2011:

1. & 2. Nodally and MemoryLeaf, respectively, demonstrating their software
3. Our host venue, the beautiful Stanley Park Pavilion

CFO Group Kick-off

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:00:00 -0800

You’ve spoken and we’ve listened!

The BCTIA is pleased to open 2012 with a CFO Group Kick-off on January 17th, 2012 at 8:00am.

This first session will serve to re-launch the CFO Group by opening the floor to conversations on the hot topics you're facing today, and will allow us to introduce you to Craig Tennant and Errol Olsen who have kindly agreed to take the helm as the CFO Group Chair and Vice Chair respectively.

I would hope most of you CFO, VP of Finance, Senior VP of Finance members of our association will be able to join us on that day. If you are unable to attend this upcoming session, please note that these recurrent sessions are scheduled for the 3rd Tuesday of every second month. (Meaning the next session will be on March 20th -- mark your calendars now!)

So if you're a BCTIA member, looking for a forum of open discussions focused on the critical issues you encounter as a tech CFO, join us on January 17th and be a part of this exciting CFO Group launch event!

To receive invites to these exclusive events, please fill out the short application form by clicking here. Once completed, you will be invited to join the CFO Group on LinkedIn where you can post questions, join discussions and access the registration link for this, and future, CFO Group events.

See you on the 17th!

Member Spotlight: Momentum Conferencing

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:00:00 -0800

Welcoming new members is one of my favorite parts of the job, especially when that new member brings along an offer to help the rest of the BCTIA community improve their bottom line! I am excited to announce that Momentum Conferencing has joined the BCTIA, and that they will also be a part of our Member-Only Offers, providing conferencing solutions to their fellow BCTIA Members at exclusive rates.

With over 90% of our member companies being small to medium-sized enterprises, we at the BCTIA understand that business expenditures (such as meeting space and travel costs) can greatly impede a company's progress when doing business on a national, or even international, scale. Our partnership with Momentum Conferencing will help to eliminate those costs and will allow you to focus on growing your company while staying within your budget. We have been working closely with the team at Momentum Conferencing to create the best possible offer for our members, including savings on audio & video conferencing, as well as webcasting and webinars.

Stay tuned for more information from Momentum Conferencing outlining their many great services, or click here to get started today!

Welcome to our NEW Website!

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:12:00 -0800

It’s been quite a journey, but after hundreds of hours, some hard-core negotiations and some begging and pleading, we’re proud to introduce our fresh new look.

Among the many changes, you'll now find BCTIA and Centre4Growth together in one place.

What does this mean to you?

Events & Workshops, in a single monthly calendar view.
Easy search functions, so that you can find the information that’s important to you.
A BCTIA blog, where the team will share their thoughts and opinions.
Up-to-date business development opportunities, tech jobs and industry news and events.
Centre4Growth tools that cover everything from getting your start-up off the ground to stats on international markets.

And of course we’ll keep adding new content, so subscribe to our feeds and stay informed on the latest updates. Go ahead and take a cruise around, and don’t be shy, send us your feedback and suggestions!

Member Spotlight: Morneau Shepell

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:15:00 -0800

As we gear up for the new year and prepare for a busy 2012, what better time than now to investigate ways in which to improve your bottom line?

Morneau Shepell has been working with the BCTIA to create the BC Technology Health Plan (BCTHP), a plan specifically designed with the tech community in mind.

The group buying power of the BCTIA allows our members to provide top quality health care to their teams while keeping premiums low. The BCTHP is an all-inclusive plan that provides Life Insurance, Dental, Extended Health Care, Long-term Disability and AD&D for companies of two or more employees.

If you're a sole proprietor, don’t worry, there is a plan designed for companies with just one full time employee as well!

Founded in 1962, and a BCTIA member since 2005, Morneau Shepell is the largest health care consulting firm in Canada and is a partner, sponsor and preferred vendor of health insurance for the BCTIA.

For more information on the BCTHP, click here, or to learn more about Morneau Shepell, click here to visit their page in our Member Directory.

If you have any questions about the BCTHP, or the BCTIA in general, feel free to contact me via email at cstewart@bctia.org or call 604.602.5233.

Getting to Know Our Members

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:00:00 -0800

With members located across the province, the BCTIA boasts a membership base that varies greatly in company size and sector. Our community consists of long-time members, new members, dedicated service providers and companies that are on the cutting edge of technology.

So, how do we keep our hundreds of incredible, unique members straight? With our secret weapon! Well, it's not really a secret weapon, but it is something new and exciting -- our new Member Directory!

Not just a listing of company names and coordinates (although, it does have that), our new directory includes details on what your company is all about, contact information, and other interesting pieces about membership history, awards won and partnership details.

So for inquiring minds looking to learn more about your business, be it future customers, interested investors, or potential employees, the BCTIA Member Directory is the one stop shop for all the relevant information and accolades of our entire membership community. If you haven't already, click here to take a look at our new directory.

If you need to make any changes to your Member Profile, click here to get started, or if you have any questions about the Member Directory, or the BCTIA in general, you can always contact me via email at cstewart@bctia.org or call me at 604.602.5233.

Centre4Growth Launches Free Business Clinics

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:44:00 -0800

On November 7, BCTIA’s Centre4Growth launched a new program offering complimentary, bi-weekly Business Clinics for Centre4Growth clients. PricewaterhouseCoopers, Fasken Martineau and Clark Wilson delivered the first clinics over two full days of consultations to Centre4Growth clients at Discovery Parks Vancouver and the BCTIA offices. Concrete strategies and rave reviews from clients and clinic coaches came out of those first meetings in November, and continue to come from the December sessions.

The low-down on C4G Business Clinics:

Clinics offer BC entrepreneurs one-on-one, confidential counselling from professional experts on your legal, financial, human resources and marketing issues. Professional Experts, working in unison with your CEO-in-Residence, helping guide you through areas such as business planning, sales and marketing strategies, accounting and finance advise, as well as advice on technology licensing, human resources, legal and statutory requirements, foreign exchange, capital financing, investor relations and more.

Business Clinics are offered in the following core business areas:

Finance and Taxation
Foreign Exchange
Human Resources
Legal
Marketing

New clinics for January are online and open for bookings, so get in there fast. You must be a C4G client and CxO at a BC-based technology company to register.

See scheduled business clinics and book your appointment here.

Not yet a Centre4Growth client? Want to apply or learn more? Click here.

$22.7M in New Revenue & Investment

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:30:00 -0800

1131 Consultation sessions have been delivered by our CEOs-in-Residence (CIRs) since the launch of Centre4Growth. As a result of the coaching and connections provided by the CIRS, our clients have collectively raised $22.7M in new revenue and investment to date. There have also been 103 newly created jobs as a result of the coaching and connections the CIRs have provided. Consultation sessions are one-on-one coaching sessions with a CEO-in-Residence who has lived the path to success and can share their experiences.

Our CIRs have expertise in a variety of sectors:

Rob Bennett, Victoria: ICT
Founder-Municipal Software, Simation, VIATeC
Neil McDonnell, Vancouver: ICT and Clean Tech
Wurldtech, TIR Systems, Intrinsyc, MDSI, Dynapro
Howard Donaldson, Vancouver: Digital Media and Gaming
Disney, EA, Propaganda Games, Maclean-Hunter, DigiBC
Sandra Wear, Vancouver: ICT, Wireless and Clean Tech
DocSpace, Atalum Wireless, ZigBee Alliance, Planning for Exit
Peter Payne, Vancouver: Life Sciences and Early Stage
Ph.D. (Pathology), Oncometrics Imaging, BC Cancer Agency, Criterion Labs
Adam Lorant, Vancouver: ICT and Hardware
PolarBlue, OctigaBay, Abatis Systems, Newbridge Networks, Nortel

To learn more about our CIRs, click here.

PODIUM

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:57:00 -0800

In case you didn't already know, PODIUM is a digital directory created to highlight the talent and ingenuity that makes British Columbia, Canada a great place to live, work, study and invest. Companies seek out the opportunity to be listed in the directory because PODIUM is a great resource for promoting your business. It is a prime resource for international trade commissioners and extends your reach globally.

I invite you to browse the directory to learn more about the companies that make up BC’s technology industry, and to help inspire you to list your company in PODIUM if you haven't already.

If you’re a BC technology company looking to gain more exposure, PODIUM is the way!

For more information, click here to view the PODIUM directory, or email us at info@bctia.org.

"Peer" into Your Professional Development Future...

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 09:30:00 -0800

If you haven't been involved in one of our Peer2Peer groups yet, you are missing out! These professional development peer groups are a MEMBER ONLY benefit and one that I highly suggest you take advantage of.

Product Management, Sales & Marketing, CTO and CFO groups exist currently, and allow individuals to use their expertise and contribute to the conversation in a safe, educational environment. Meeting monthly, each group develops content and conversation starters that focus on current issues and trends within their own roles. Members of Peer2Peer Groups also have access to exclusive LinkedIn groups to share ideas, articles, resources and ideas with one another. In order to gain access to these groups, you must be an employee of a BCTIA member company and complete a quick application form.

If you're interested in getting started, click here to view the main Peer2Peer page and select the group that best describes your current role. From there, you'll be able to apply only and will receive a response from us within two business days.

Don't see a group that fits your need? Do you think we have forgotten about you?

Absolutely not!

If you think there is a group that needs to be created, then bring it to our attention! As a champion of a new group, the BCTIA team will work closely with you to investigate possible attendees and logistics... the content is up to you! We'll try it out, and if it is successful, will become part of our event season!

If you would like more information about our Peer2Peer Groups, click here, or feel free to email me at cstewart@bctia.org or call 604.602.5233.

To view upcoming Peer2Peer Groups in our Events Calendar, simply click here.

BCTIA eHealth TechForum: Full house, great panel, amazing crowd

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:00:00 -0800

The BCTIA was privileged to host its 1^st SOLD-OUT TechForum of the season at the Four Seasons Hotel last week. With our three passionate, determined and dedicated speakers from the medical industry, the forum provided us with outstanding information. Moderated by our very own Bill Tam, BCTIA President & CEO, the conversation between Bill, Dr. Brendan Byrne, Barry Rivelis, Dave Wattling, and the audience proved to be very interactive and seemingly effortless. Our panel's natural sense of humour made for quite the entertaining discussion, triggering many laughs from the crowd!

We're very excited for the upcoming TechForums that we're working on for 2012 and we hope to see you there!

To learn more about TechForum, click here, or to find an upcoming TechForum in our Events Calendar, click here.