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KA

Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST)

Nelson, British ColumbiaFinesseMember

The Hub for Kootenay Technology

The Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST), established in 1998, is a critical economic driver and innovator in southern BC’s Kootenay region. KAST's mission is to foster inclusive economic opportunities and job creation through science, technology and innovation.

Type

Not-for-Profit

Founded

1998

Regions

British Columbia (BC)

KAST operates physical spaces including coworking facilities. They also produce BroadKAST, a film series featuring entrepreneurial journeys of the Kootenays. The organization serves the entire Kootenay region with locations in Nelson and Cranbrook.

Industries

General/industry agnostic

Focus Areas

technologyinnovationentrepreneurshipearly-stage companiesyouth educationcareer training

Sourced from website

Stages supported

IdeaDiscoveryValidationEfficiencyScale

Services offered

  • Access to specialized equipment, lab facilities, and/or services
  • Discounted and/or free professional services (legal, accounting, bookkeeping, etc.)
  • Financing opportunities and connections with investor groups
  • Free educational events or programming (ie. lunch and learns)
  • Mentorship and access to advisors
  • Networking opportunities and community events
  • Office space, co-working environment
Finessemedium confidence

Refining and expanding venture growth and entrepreneurial competencies and create the connections across innovation ecosystem

Sector-agnostic (broad industry focus). Higher accountability signals (equity/paid programs, later-stage focus).

Learn more about the four BAI types

Kootenay Venture Network

other

A group of accredited investors who invest in early-stage technology companies based in the Kootenay Region

Venture Acceleration Program

accelerator

Helps technology companies and entrepreneurs transform their tech ideas into reality through mentorship and connections with like-minded entrepreneurs

Kootenay Youth Build-A-Business Program

course

For ages 13-18, designed to empower the next generation of innovators with skills and confidence to turn ideas into impactful businesses

Idea to Launch

course

College-focused workshops in Nelson and Cranbrook for ages 16-30 covering entrepreneurship and skill-building seminars tailored to industry sectors

Startup Launch

incubator

Career training, upskilling, and networking for startups and tech-innovators with a focus on technology and innovation

Youth Opportunities

course

Programs for youth aged 5-17 to build skills, discover passions through interactive play, and learn about science, tech innovation and entrepreneurship

Sourced from website

ES

Empowered Startups

Vancouver, British Columbia

Empowered incubates and accelerates driven entrepreneurial leaders capable of building outstanding startups that bring customers and institutional capital knocking on the door. Our unique model incubates talented Canadian entrepreneurs and Foreign entrepreneurs and connects their start-ups with international customers. We invest seed capital and time in the best scalable start-ups so that our start-up founders can aggressively pursue their revenue goals.

General/industry agnostic
Visa
Finesse
BT

BC Tech

Vancouver, British Columbia

BC Tech Association is dedicated to making British Columbia the best place to grow and scale a tech company. They provide opportunities for the tech industry to collaborate, learn, and grow together. They connect companies, develop talent, share stories.

General/industry agnostic
Foundations & Ecosystem-Building
AO

Accelerate Okanagan

Kelowna, British Columbia

Located in Kelowna, BC, and serving the Okanagan community. We give entrepreneurs the mentorship, connections, and community they need to build technology-driven ventures. As the Okanagan tech community and companies within it continue to grow, so does our support model. Coined ‘Continuous Acceleration,’ we deliver unique programming for different stages of growth. The reality is, each stage of the entrepreneurial process demands a different set of tools and we are constantly iterating in an effort to meet those needs.

General/industry agnostic
Finesse
E

entrepreneurship@UBCO

Kelowna, British Columbia

Trusted Guidance, Lasting Impact

e@UBCO's mission is to provide enriching opportunities for the UBCO community to engage in entrepreneurial thinking and inspire action on some of the worlds most pressing problems.

General/industry agnostic
University
Finesse