BCTIA Congratulates Federal Government on Supporting Entrepreneurial Talent

$60 million to Assist Accelerator Programs like Centre4Growth

VANCOUVER, BC, March 21, 2013 – The British Columbia Technology Industry Association (BCTIA) is excited to see support for business acceleration programs in the federal government’s Economic Action Plan 2013. 

The 2013 Plan provides $60 million over 5 years to help outstanding and high-potential incubator and accelerator organizations in Canada expand their services to entrepreneurs. It also provides an additional $100 million through the Business Development Bank of Canada for strategic partnerships with organizations like the BCTIA Centre4Growth for co-investments for graduating firms. 

“We congratulate the government for their support of Canada’s Entrepreneurial Talent and for programs like BCTIA’s Centre4Growth accelerator,” stated Bill Tam, President and CEO of the BCTIA. “Programs like Centre4Growth provide entrepreneurs with the resources and support needed to grow their companies and gain a strategic advantage in a globally competitive marketplace.”

“High growth companies generate the level of resources and wealth necessary to further grow the company, expand export activities, and attract much needed skilled talent and investment, resulting in the accelerated
growth of Canada’s economy,” Tam added.

Since 2010, the BCTIA Centre4Growth has helped BC technology entrepreneurs succeed by providing the resources and expertise needed to develop and grow their businesses. To date, Centre4Growth has helped over 300 companies, increasing revenue and investment by over $75 million and hire over 250 new employees.

This new government initiative will provide the much needed support to expand on the efforts of accelerator programs like Centre4Growth, and continue to strengthen the knowledge economy in Greater Vancouver, British Columbia and Canada.