COVID-19 presents significant challenges for BC Tech members, we’re here to help
Our surveys of BC’s tech companies tell us:
80% of BC tech companies have seen a negative revenue/order impact with only 20% stable or increasing
50% of those seeing a negative revenue/order impact are down by 30% or more
90% of BC tech companies have implemented measures to cut costs to extend the runway of existing capital
50% of tech companies are not hiring – but – positively 50% are still hiring at this time
60% of tech companies have pivoted their business as a consequence of COVID, many to provide pro bono services and support to others, some to launch new products and services on their platform
At recent Restart Roundtable discussions, we asked our members a few questions. Here is what they had to say:
In March, we wanted to find out more about the specific impact to our member’s businesses.
We’ve moved our programs, C-Councils and other member services to a virtual model and more details are available at the links below. Please keep communication coming in to our team members or to hello@wearebctech.com. Your feedback on challenges and ideas are welcome.
Public Health
- Government of Canada – Public Health Agency of Canada
- Government of British Columbia – British Columbia Ministry of Health
Economic Data
- Canada Emergency Response Benefit statistics – 17 July
- Canadian Economic Dashboard and COVID-19 – 17 July
- Bank of Canada looks to long term, aiding recovery with rate near zero for two years – or longer – 15 July
- Canada Took A Small Hit To Inflation During Pandemic: StatCan – 13 July
- Canada’s economic recovery will be stronger in short term, poll suggests – 09 July
- Are we doing enough to support business tech adoption amidst COVID-19 – 25 June
- B.C. abandons balanced budget law for three years in wake of pandemic – 24 June
- How technology can underpin Canada’s post pandemic economy – 24 June
- Business Destruction and COVID-19 – 16 June
- A big jump in Canadian confidence this week bodes well for the recovery – 22 June
- Major Canadian real estate markets that reopened see inventory Explode higher – 22 June
- Consumer Confidence Rises in Canada for 7th Straight Week – 15 June
- Canadian consumer debt loads drop for the first time in a decade – 16 June
- StatsCan Retail Commodity Survey, March 2020 – 12 June
- Consumer Sentiment Ticks Up for a 6th Straight Week in Canada – 08 June
- Bank of Canada maintains target for the overnight rate, scales back some market operations as financial conditions improve – 03 June
- Canadian dollar notches three-month high as investors bet on global recovery – 02 June
- No cash, please — Will COVID-19 accelerate the demise of paper money?
- Canada Outlook April 2020 Adapting to a volatile environment
- Consumer confidence improving in Canada– 25 May
- Bank of Canada’s says inflation could return to 2% target more slowly – 25 May
- Poloz says risks to Canada’s economic outlook ‘overblown’ – 21 May
- RBC Consumer spending tracker – 19 May
- Statcan international transactions in securities – 15 May
- BC’s Emerging Economy Task Force report released – 11 May
- BC Innovation Commissioner report and recommendations – 11 May
- Canadian Venture Capital Investment – 04 May
- Canadian Survey on Business Conditions: Impact of COVID-19 on businesses in Canada – 29 April
- U.S. Economy Shrinks at 4.8% Pace, Signaling Start of Recession – 29 April
- Report: Startups could fuel the recovery of Canada’s economy – 28 April
- IMF projects 6.2% decline in Canada’s GDP in 2020
- National Bank of Canada – Monthly Economic Monitor April 2020
- Bank of Canada – Monetary Policy Report April 2020
Government Response
- Adapting the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy to Protect Jobs and Promote Growth – 17 July
- More support for Canadians through the Safe Restart Agreement – 16 July
- Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance CECRA – July Extension – 13 July
- Federal Government to extend 75% wage subsidy not December – 13 July
- Minister’s statement on June Labour Force Survey results – 10 July
- B.C. families get additional $450 with boosted climate action tax credit – 02 July
- Government Announces Extension of Rent Relief Program for Small Businesses– 30 June
- Government Provides Update on Sales Tax and Duty Payment Deferral – 29 June
- Applications open for expanded $40,000 CEBA small business loans – 26 June
- B.C. families get additional $450 with boosted climate action tax credit – 02 July
- Government Announces Extension of Rent Relief Program for Small Businesses– 30 June
- Government Provides Update on Sales Tax and Duty Payment Deferral – 29 June
- Applications open for expanded $40,000 CEBA small business loans – 26 June
- Mid-sized companies can now apply for BDC loans – 18 June
- Federal government commits $492 million in grants for virus, AI research – 17 June
- The Government of Canada invests $50 million to help Southern Ontario businesses adopt digital technologies to recover from the pandemic and emerge stronger – 11 June
- CERB payments to be extended for 2 more months – 16 June
- More small businesses can soon access the Canada Emergency Business Account – 15 June
- BC PNP Tech Pilot extended to June 2021 – 06 June
- IRAP says 97% of Innovation Assistance Program already committed – 09 June
- B.C. government to protect some small businesses from evictions – 01 June
- PM announces support to help communities create jobs and restart the economy – 01 June
- Minister Ng announces hotline to provide small businesses with financial planning advice – 25 May
- Government of Canada announces online tool to assist in accessing financial support – 22 May
- Eligibility criteria expansion for Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) – 19 May
- Western Economic Diversification launches Regional Relief and Recovery Fund – 13 May
- Prime Minister announces launch of Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) – 11 May
- Federal government will extend 75% emergency wage subsidy beyond June – 08 May
- BDC to provide new support for medium-sized companies to help navigate COVID-19 as part of Government of Canada’s Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) – 11 May
- Federal Government invests $175m in BC company AbCellera – 03 May
- Economic Development Minister Joly discusses federal support of Tech sector – 01 May
- CRA confirms SRED audits and claims will be fast tracked – 23 April
- Prime Minister announces partnerships with provinces and territories to deliver the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance for small businesses – 24 April
- Provincial funding to improve rural internet connectivity – 24 April
- BDC Co-Lending Program – 24 April
- PM Trudeau announces $9B in new COVID-19 funding for students – 22 April
- NRC IRAP Innovation Assistance Program– 22 April
- CRA releases CEWS calculator for businesses to determine their eligibility amount – 21 April
- Digital Technology Supercluster announces $60M COVID-19 Program
- Prime Minister announces new support to protect Canadian jobs – 17 April
- Prime Minister announces additional support for small businesses– 16 April
- Additional details on wage subsidy – 8 April
- Canada emergency wage subsidy – 3 April
- The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy – 01 April
- Details on the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit – 01 April
- Prime Minister announces partnerships with Canadian industry – 31 March
- Additional small business reliefs – 27 March
- Canada Emergency Response Benefit – 25 March
- EDC’s relief for exporters – 24 March
- BC’s COVID-19 Action Plan – 23 March
- Canada’s call to action to mobilize science – 23 March
- Canada’s call to action to manufacturers – 20 March
- Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and Businesses – 18 March
- Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
- Canada’s Small Business Financing Program
- CRA Guidance on Temporary Wage Subsidy
- Canada Business App
- Support for Small Businesses in BC
- Small Business Loans
- Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and Businesses
Positive Community Stories
- Is COVID-19 ready for RoboMop? – 21 July
- Gerri Sinclair Appointed New B.C. Innovation Commissioner – 20 July
- Working with industry during COVID-19: BCIT Computing students help non-profit organization improve operations efficiency – 15 July
- Vancouver’s Foodee makes first acquisition with $13m in new financing in hand – 14 July
- B.C.’s COVID-19 robots prep for deployment at hospitals, labs – 09 July
- B.C. startups navigate new realities of launching in pandemic – 08 July
- Traction Guest’s Grant Initiative Provides Visitor Management Software to Long-Term Care Facilities – 03 July
- B.C. startup Thoughtexchange raises $10m as activity spikes amid pandemic– 29 June
- BC Cleantech Gets $6.7 Million In SDTC Funding – 23 June
- Bench rehires workers as sales rebound following shift to helping businesses with COVID relief – 22 June
- Innovate BC Awards $1.2 Million In Funding Through its Ignite Program – 17 June
- BENCH RE-HIRES WORKERS AS SALES REBOUND FOLLOWING SHIFT TO HELPING US BUSINESSES WITH COVID RELIEF
- Three B.C. tech firms make World Economic Forum’s top 100 list – 16 June
- Double Accolades For Trulioo From CNBC and World Economic Forum – 16 June
- Terramera Leads Collaborative Effort to Predict New COVID-19 Virus Strains – 11 June
- Supercluster Funds More COVID-19 Recovery Projects In B.C. – 04 June
- Betakit, Jobbio, and Talentminded team up to help unemployed Canadian tech workers bounce back – 04 June
- Five B.C. Companies That Have Adapted & Thrived During COVID-19 – 02 June
- Copperleaf Donates to COVID-19 Pandemic Response
- Life sciences see silver lining in dark COVID clouds – 03 June
- World’s first human tests of COVID-19 antibody treatment have Vancouver connection – 01 June
- Facebook Canada Announces Small Business Grant Program – 26 May
- Sales of Burnaby-made medical device surge amid COVID-19 pandemic – 26 May
- COVID-19 pandemic offers a chance to reset industries in need of a shakeup – 21 May
- UBC grads create app for small businesses struggling during COVID-19 – 15 May
- Post-pandemic workplace will be more tech-intensive– 15 May
- Uplifting BC Tech stories – 14 May
- Clevest offers automated worker location app access free for 6 months – 14 May
- B.C. startup offers ‘contactless screening’ as workplaces re-open – 13 May
- Canadian VCs launch initiative to provide one on one support to startups – 07 May
- Amazing ways Canadian startups are tackling the COVID-19 crisis – 06 May
- Shopify revenue exceeds forecasts – 06 May
- B.C.-led tool gets nod from IBM to help small businesses battle COVID-19 – 06 May
- Clearly donates 60,000 face shields and 1,000 safety glasses to Canadian healthcare workers – 05 May
- Ayogo Completes $7.5M Series B Financing – 29 April
- Shopify Capital launches in Canada to provide small business loans to merchants – 20 April
- Vancouver’s tech supercluster commits $60m to COVID-19 fight – 20 April
- Telus offers 10,000 free mobile devices to seniors, patients amid pandemic – 20 April
- NRC IRAP Innovation Assistance Program – 22 April
- The Future of Work: B.C.’s tech industry – interview with BC Tech CEO – 16 April
- KPU Instructors produce ‘ear savers’ for local hospital – 16 April
- Rocket Builders Releases ‘Ready to Rocket’ Lists to Profile BC Tech Companies with Highest Growth Potential in 2020 – 15 April
- Vancouver software company gets shout-out from premier, sees jump in job applications – 11 April
- Regulator fast-tracks 1QBits X-ray software to help fight COVID-19 – 10 April
- Find out more about the development, deployment and success of the COVID-19 Supply Hub – 09 April
- Telus Health enables 26,000 doctors to conduct virtual visits– 08 April
- STEMCELL Technologies Is an Essential Industry Partner for COVID-19 Research and Vaccine Development– 7 April
- Clearly to donate tens of thousands of face shields to Vancouver hospitals – 3 April
- COVID-19: Delta 3D printer manufacturer switches to making face shields for medical staff – 2 April
- BC Tech company Traction on Demand has developed an online Supply Hub to help the BC Government source critical supplies – 01 April
- B.C. startup launches app to help swamped health-care workers outside of work – 31 March
- Partnering Together to Help Save Lives: The Story Behind the COVID-19 Critical Care Resource Management Application – 30 March
- Rise Up Challenge for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank! Donate unused food budgets – 27 March
- Here’s how you can use your 3D printer to make face shields for hospital workers – 26 March
- March 2020: 5 B.C. tech stories that caught my eye – 26 March
- Clio Donates $1M To Help Keep Attorneys Serving Clients Through COVID-19 – 23 March
- Vancity, Vancouver Foundation, United Way Fund for front line non-profits dispersing emergency grants – 21 March
- World’s Fastest Supercomputer Identifies Chemicals That Could Stop Coronavirus From Spreading – 20 March
- 19 encouraging developments in the Coronavirus crisis – 19 March
- Abcellera & Eli Lilly partner to begin testing therapeutic within 4 months – 13 March
- Two Canadian teams of scientists isolate coronavirus to speed research effort 13 March
Resources for your Team
- Empowering Small Business Recovery (Get valuable resources, tools and expert insights to help your small business adapt and respond to today’s challenges.)
- Small Business Resiliency Guide
- Entrepreneur’s Guide to Tech
- Employers required to file new form as part of 10% temporary wage subsidy program
- Moving Forward Alternative Capital Raising Options Post COVID-19
- BDO Covid-19 Resource Hub
- See What COVID-19 Safety Looks Like In Classrooms Around The World – 21 July
- How To Pivot And Prosper Through COVID-19 – 17 July
- Canadian Federation of Independent Business – Reconnecting Shoppers with Small Business
- Cisco to provide small businesses with COVID19 recovery kits through new contest – 14 July
- Moving Forward – Accessing Capital Post COVID-19
- Federal Government launches digital solution to connect Business Registries across Canada – 02 July
New business option empowers companies to give back – 30 June
Travel restrictions to Canada remain in place for July holidays – 30 June - New business option empowers companies to give back – 30 June
- Travel restrictions to Canada remain in place for July holidays – 30 June
- Organizations buying and selling personal protective equipment during COVID-19
- Province announces next steps to support renters, landlords – 19 June
- Support for child care continues during COVID-19 recovery – 16 June
- BC Summer Reading Club goes virtual – 14 June
- Tech sector reiterates calls to expand wage subsidy as Canadian government asks for feedback – 08 June
- Office rethink could retool Vancouver’s tech status – 29 May
- Prepare for a Behavioral Disaster Wave: Resilience If and When COVID-19 Returns – 25 May
- Filing 2019 taxes through the COVID-19 crisis
- Covid-19 Thought Leadership Content by Apply Digital
- Will our Tech Industry Return to the Office?
- BC CPA-COVID-19 Updates and Resources
- Business Resilience Services – 25 May
- Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) portal now open – 25 May
- COVID-19 & real estate:implications on the industry in Canada + the way forward
- Mitacs Business Strategy Internship
- Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Resources
- American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) COVID-19 Resources
- Carbon60 Webinar – COVID-19 Lessons Learned: The New Normal
- Farris: COVID-19 Resource Centre
- Employee onboarding during a pandemic – 13 May
- BC Tech’s guide to slowly getting back to the office – 11 May
- BC’s restart Plan– 06 May
- Returning to safe operation – Worksafe BC – 06 May
- Return to work – Go Forward checklist -06 May
- Best Practices for Marketing During and After COVID-19 – 10 May
- Details on BC Hydro reliefs for commercial accounts
- Hiring Co-op Students During COVID-19
- COVID–19: CECRA for Small Businesses
- Fasken: Coronavirus Knowledge Center
- FaskenTech: COVID-19 Resources
- Predicting the Post-Pandemic Rebound – Covid-19 Economic Recovery Dashboard
- Many are asking which funds are actively investing – here, here and here are some good links – send us other and we will add it to our new webpage of capital resources.
- OMERS Ventures signals renewed commitment to Canadian startups with launch of US$750-million fund – 25 April
- Post COVID-19: Office Design & Market – thanks to Colin Scarlett for posting this
- BC Ministry of Education – More online options for students to support social, emotional well-being
- Customers Still Need You: Here’s How to Start Your Online Business Quickly
- COVID-19 Small Business Help Centre
- Online learning for kids– thanks to Allison Boulton for putting this together!
- Tips for working from home
- Post COVID-19: Office Design & Market – thanks to Colin Scarlett for posting this
- Canadian Mental Health Association: COVID-19 and mental health
- Canadian Business Resilience Network
- LinkedIn’s making its recruitment tools free to those fighting the coronavirus pandemic – 1 April
- Startup Survival Guide to COVID19 – 24 Mar
- How to keep your kids busy (and learning) while schools are closed – 23 March
- Comprehensive resources for working remotely – 20 March
Partner Links
- Scale AI, partners invest $29 Million into five artificial intelligence projects – 21 July
- Vision Critical Founder Turns To Mobile With Rival Technologies – 17 July
- BDC commits $160 Million to fund IP development in Canada – 16 July
- Hundreds of Youth Experience Robotics During Discovery Foundation Robot Week
- Reopening toolkit – Canadian Business Resilience Network
- Workplace reopening resources – Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
- From Surviving to Thriving: Why Canada must do more for its start-ups and scale-ups in crisis – 09 June
- Black Lives Matter: Anti-racism resources and organizations in Vancouver and Canada – 03 June
- Black organizations and fundraisers you can support in Vancouver and British Columbia – 02 June
- Digital Supercluster – Black Lives Matter
- Creative Destruction Lab officially kicks off COVID-19 recovery program – 29 May
- Digital Technology Supercluster Leverages Technology & Collaboration to Bolster
- Healthcare During COVID-19 – 26 May
- Canadian Tech Talent & Job List
- Deloitte’s Small Business Relief Tool
- Blakes- COVID-19: Your Resource Centre
- Vancouver Economic Commission Business Resources
- EY’s Business Continuity Plan
- Funding changes + options to help you hire a B.C. student during COVID-19
- DigiBC COVID19 Member Resources
- Futurpreneur Canada’s COVID-19 resources for small businesses
- BC/Vancouver VR/AR Ecosystem Report
- A number of Canadian companies and organizations want to ensure Canada’s recovery measures build a vision for a resilient recovery. Please visit www.resilientrecovery.ca for more information and to sign up.
- BDC COVID-19: Supports for Canadian Businesses
- B.C. Business COVID-19 Support Service
- Creative Destruction Lab launches COVID-19 Rapid Response Program – 08 April
- VIATEC’s COVID-19 Member Resources
- Slack Channel – Covid-19 Tech Group – Slack Channel
- BC Economic Development Association: COVID-19 Resources for BC Businesses
- Greater Vancouver Board of Trade COVID-19 Resources
- MaRs COVID-19 Collection of Resources
- Hockeystick database of active funders in Canada
- Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen), will invest $50 million to support companies that will aid in the fight against COVID-19
- BDC COVID-19: Supports for Canadian Businesses
- B.C. Business COVID-19 Support Service
- STEMCELL-Tools for COVID-19 Research
Weekly Q&A Videos
Alex Freudigmann, Senior Vice President & Partner, Inventa
Sean Bacon, President, Dynamic Shift Consulting Inc