Success 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.

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Client story	Location	Sector(s)	Story date
Empowering Rural Economies: PacifiCan Bridges the Gap with the District of Kitimat and Haisla Nation The Haisla Bridge is owned and maintained by the District of Kitimat and sits on the traditional territory of the Haisla Nation. It is a critical piece of infrastructure as it connects the residential area of Kitimat to its industrial center.	Kitimat, B.C.	Infrastructure, Liquid Natural Gas, Exports	2025-01-09
Turning Waste into Possibilities: The UBCO Cleantech Hub The University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus (UBCO) is paving the way to a greener future with an innovation hub dedicated to repurposing waste materials into valuable products and promoting sustainable technologies.	Kelowna, B.C.	Clean technology	2024-11-05
Propelling B.C. to a Cleaner Future: The Promise of the Integrated Marketplace British Columbia is a hub of clean technology that is supporting Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy.	B.C.	Clean technology	2024-10-17
Richmond Olympic Oval Takes the Gold in Supporting Outdoor Recreation Nestled along the banks of the Fraser River lies a recreational facility that has been inspiring athletes from the Lower Mainland and across the world to go for gold.	Richmond, B.C.	Sports and recreation	2024-05-21
After COVID-19 turbulence, Kelowna International Airport navigates to bluer skies Airports are more than concrete runways and control towers – they are critical hubs that connect people, support supply chains and promote economic growth. In British Columbia, the Kelowna International Airport is the province’s second busiest airport and the largest municipally-owned airport in Canada.	Kelowna, B.C.	Aerospace, Tourism	2024-02-23
Capilano University is Empowering Indigenous Entrepreneurs in B.C. In today’s growing digital landscape, helping Indigenous-led businesses grow is an important driver to propel B.C. forward.	North Vancouver, B.C.	Digital technology	2024-02-13
Heiltsuk-owned YuWala Offers Boat Tours Showcasing the Beauty of Bella Bella YuWala 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.	Bella Bella, B.C.	Tourism	2024-01-15
From Lab to Market: The PacifiCan and ARTMS Partnership In 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.	Burnaby, B.C.	Advanced manufacturing	2023-11-06
Driving Global Reach: How Export Navigator helps businesses access new markets The 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.	British Columbia	Small business	2023-10-18
How This UVIC Research Centre Is Driving Progress In Biomedical Science The 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.	Victoria, B.C.	Life sciences	2023-09-26
BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative propels British Columbia toward a net zero future As 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.	British Columbia	Clean technology	2023-07-25
Richmond-based Saltworks Technologies Inc. makes waves to address industrial wastewater and lithium processing challenges Protecting 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.	Richmond, B.C.	Clean energy	2023-05-19
University of Victoria propels industry-leading drone and satellite technology with one-of-a-kind hub Founded 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.	Victoria, B.C.	Aerospace	2023-01-13
Strengthening regional connectivity: Comox Airport ensures Northern Vancouver Island economy can take flight post-pandemic When 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.	Comox, B.C.	Transportation	2023-01-12
BC Tourism Resiliency Program provides a path to recovery for rural and remote businesses Rural 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.	Nanaimo, B.C.	Tourism	2023-01-10
B.C. clean tech companies make a global impact with support from Alacrity Canada The 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.	Victoria, B.C.	Clean technology	2023-01-09
Northern B.C. Tourism Association helps advance accessibility and welcome visitors back to barrier-free attractions 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.	Northern B.C.	Tourism	2022-12-16
Gitxsan Safety Services helps train and protect workers as Northern B.C. economy expands As 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.	South Hazelton, B.C.	Natural resources	2022-12-15
Driving innovation: How Accelerate Okanagan is transforming the Okanagan tech community In 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	Kelowna, B.C.	Digital technology	2022-12-08
West Kootenays strike gold with new technology innovation centre Since 2015, PacifiCan has invested almost $1.5 million for KAST to help address the gap in tech resources available for West Kootenay entrepreneurs.	Nelson, B.C.	Advanced manufacturing	2022-12-07
How the Kelowna Innovation Centre is transforming the Okanagan into Canada’s fastest growing tech hub In 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.	Kelowna, B.C.	Business growth, Digital technology	2022-06-12
Tireless efforts of Vancouver innovator are preventing fatigue-related injuries and saving lives Fatigue 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.	Vancouver, B.C.	Life sciences	2022-10-11
Three ways that Hatch Life has increased biotechnology research capacity and mentorship at UBC The 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.	Vancouver, B.C.	Life sciences	2022
B.C. cleantech innovators tackle environmental issues and create a cleaner future In 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.	Vancouver and Burnaby, B.C.	Clean technology	2022
WeBC supports women entrepreneurs through the pandemic and beyond WeBC shares the incredible local impact of PacifiCan funding since 2020	British Columbia	Business growth, Skills and training, Women	2022
Making Canada a world-leading centre of innovation: How SiEPICfab is accelerating the fabrication of silicon photonics In 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.	Vancouver, B.C.	Advanced manufacturing, Digital technology	2022
British Columbia communities power up with sustainable clean energy systems BC-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.	Cariboo-Chilcoti, B.C.	Clean technology, Indigenous, Natural resources	2020-11-17
Vancouver business creates sustainable products from recycled materials Aisle is creating diverse and sustainable menstrual products for women across Canada.	Vancouver, B.C.	Entrepreneurship, Women	2020-10-23
Women’s Enterprise Initiative helps Victoria niche bakery expand Origin Bakery co-owners Tara Black and Marion Scott have found their niche selling gluten-free goods in Victoria, B.C.. With support from the Women’s Enterprise Center, Tara and Marion run a thriving business with a sweet future.	Victoria, B.C.	Business growth, Women	2020-10-21
Coworking space in Vancouver gives entrepreneurs a taste of on-the-job work-life balance Christina 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.	Vancouver, B.C.	Business growth, Entrepreneurship, Women	2020-10-19
Four B.C. cleantech innovators envisage a cleaner, greener future Hydrogen Technology and Energy Corporation (HTEC), Acuva Technologies, Quadrogen Power Systems, and BumperNow are four BC-based cleantech companies transforming the cleantech ecosystem	British Columbia	Business growth, Clean resources, Clean technology, Economic diversification	2020-10-16
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.	Nelson, B.C.	Francophone, Tourism, Women	2020-08-19
Francophone women entrepreneurs boost each other across British Columbia Francophone 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”.	British Columbia	Francophone, Women	2020-03-09
Tech firms get an advanced manufacturing lab in Burnaby to build and test nanosensors These days, it seems like the online universe is expanding from computers to everyday items. With a smartphone, we can unlock doors and adjust thermostats.	Burnaby, B.C.	Advanced manufacturing	2020-02-03
Official Languages: Who’s your “twin”? At Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) we’re bolstering our bilingual bench strength in both official languages.	British Columbia	Francophone	2019-06-28
High-tech protects crops and reduces pollution from B.C. farms and orchards Farmers 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.	British Columbia	Clean technology, Digital technology	2019-02-05
Canadian naval technology makes navigation waves on a global level Over 600 naval vessels across the globe rely on tactical navigation software from British Columbia's OSI Maritime Inc.	Burnaby, B.C.	Digital technology, Trade	2019-02-05
British Columbia communities rebuild after 2017 and 2018 wildfires The 2017 and 2018 wildfire seasons were the worst in British Columbia's history. British Columbians regrouped and WD was there to help.	British Columbia	Community economic development	2019-02-05
Karina LeBlanc's Field of Dreams gives people a space for fitness and motivation Canadian 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.	Maple Ridge, B.C.	Community economic development, Youth	2018-08-04
Vancouver company innovates with plant-based plastic packaging If only there were durable packaging materials that were also biodegradable. A western Canadian company may have the solution.	Vancouver, B.C.	Clean technology	2018-08-04