2014 Newcomer’s Guide to Vancouver Startup Community

REGULAR EVENTS/MEETUPS

  • Vancouver Pixel Crafters – A community for the web, software and design craftspeople of Vancouver
  • Lean Startup Vancouver – “For startups and agile businesses that wants to transform how their products are built and launched”
  • VanDev: Vancouver’s Software Developers Network – “Come to meet people from the local software development industry”
  • Vancouver Scala Meetup – “Vancouver Scala is an opportunity to discover Scala, learn about new techniques and frameworks, and meet other Scala developers in the Lower Mainland”
  • Vancouver iDevelopers – “Technical topics for iOS developers in the Vancouver area”
  • Full Indie – This wouldn’t be a very good list of Vancouver’s meetups with one for game developers
  • VanCX: Vancouver Community Experience Group – “Vancouver-based online community developers, managers, designers and participants”
  • Internet Masterminds – “The purpose of this group is to develop our businesses, marketing, share ideas, discuss strategies, and talk to people who get exited when we talk about internet marketing”
  • Pecha Kucha Vancouver – Talks consisting of 20 slides for 20 seconds for the city’s creatives to network and showcase their work
  • Ladies Learning Code Vancouver – Monthly workshops for women looking to learn programming skills

ANNUAL EVENTS/CONFERENCES

  • GROWConf – A conference about entrepreneurship that brings investors and thought leaders from around the world to Vancouver
  • Launch @ Grow – A networking party that takes place during Grow Week showcasing some of the city’s top startups
  • MeshWest – A day of speakers and networking to discuss how the web is changing our work and personal lives
  • TEDxVancouver – The once a year local edition of TED Talks – bringing ideas worth spreading into our own backyard
  • Beyond Pink – A 2-day conference hosted by Young Women in Business to showcase local women entrepreneurs
  • Startup Weekend Vancouver– An event that facilitates the creation of a startup company in a weekend
  • BCIC New Ventures Competition – “Recognizing and encouraging entrepreneurship in B.C.’s technology sector”

CO-WORKING SPACES/INCUBATORS/ACCELERATORS

  • GrowLab – A startup accelerator that focuses on Internet and software technology companies
  • Launch Academy – A pre-accelerator space that provides early-stage startups with office space and mentorship
  • The HiVE – “A sustainability and creative co-working space” located in Gastown, Vancouver
  • The Network Hub – A startup launchpag in Gastown, Vancouver
  • Wavefront Accelerator – For the growth and success of wireless companies in Canada
  • Institute B – An incubator that appears to focus on unreasonable and “new skool” businesses
  • Time Ventures Small & Medium Enterprises Hub – An incubator partnership between Simon Fraser University and BC’s technology ventures industry
  • BCTIA Centre4Growth– An incubator for technology companies to grow their business or take their idea to the next level

UNIVERSITY/GOVERNMENT RESOURCES

  • Entrepreneurship@UBC – A campus-wide initiative that connects student entrepreneurs with mentorship and networking opportunities
  • Startup Weekend UBC – 54 hours to create a company at the University of British Columbia campus
  • Entrepreneurship@SFU – A program that teaches entrepreneurial skills and facilitates the making of technology companies
  • Emily Carr Social & Interactive Media Centre – Connects BC companies with the design and expertise of Emily Carr faculty and students
  • The Next 36 – A program consisting of an entrepreneurship curriculum with a new venture challenge
  • Small Business BC– Offers services and resources for entrepreneurs starting a new venture or growing their business
  • British Columbia Technology Industry Association – Provides membership resources and advocates for it’s members

TRADITIONAL & NEW MEDIA

A list of traditional & new media outlets in Vancouver that feature technology & startup news

STARTUPS TO WATCH

This is by no means an exhaustive list

IN & AROUND THE REGION

  • Startup Kelowna – Great resources for the startup events happening in Kelowna, BC
  • Startup Weekend Victoria – Facilitating the creation of startups in Victoria, BC (First one is happening this weekend)
  • Startup Weekend Okanagan – Facilitating the creations of startups in the Okanagan
  • Accelerate Okanagan – “Offering programs that support entrepreneurs and technology companies
  • TechStars Seattle– Startup accelerator in Seattle

JOB BOARDS & HIRING RESOURCES

ONLINE RESOURCES/NEWSLETTERS

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