Salmon Capital of the World announces tech competition with $200,000 in prizes
Campbell River launches four NexStream challenges and mentorship
Campbell River, CANADA – October 1, 2019 —Calling all innovative entrepreneurs with ideas that solve real problems for people and businesses. The City of Campbell River Economic Development and Campbell River Angel Group (CRAG) are launching four individual challenges with awards ranging from $45,000 to $100,000.
- Marine Wildlife Monitor
- Portable Renewable Energy Pod
- Food Processing- Bladeless Oyster Shucker
- Wildcard
Individuals, academic institutions and businesses with ideas at all stages of development are encouraged to explore the challenge statements and submit an expression of interest. Successful contestants will be considered for seed capital investment and CRAG advisory support and mentorship.
To support people interested in participating in this competition, an interactive information session will be held at noon Oct. 8 at the Campbell River North Island College.
“Each challenge provides an opportunity to win a substantial cash prize that will support further development of these tech solutions. And there’s more: the competition process includes mentorship, skill building and networking opportunities as well. The goal is to make sure that even those who don’t win a prize, get real value from the process,” says Campbell River economic development officer Rose Klukas.
“The Campbell River Angel Group is sponsoring this contest to raise awareness about Campbell River’s TECHATCHERYTM program. As a TECHATCHERY initiative, the NexStream challenge will motivate entrepreneurs and innovators to solve challenges facing industries and communities of Vancouver Island and beyond,” says David Baar, Angel Investor and co-founder of CRAG. “The Campbell River Angel Group is pleased to financially support the NexStream challenges along with corporate sponsors and our members’ significant experience in starting and growing successful high tech enterprises will provide mentorship and advisory support. It is our hope that contest respondents and winners will create innovative solutions to these local and global challenges resulting in viable businesses that we can continue to help grow.”
“This competition is another example of Campbell River’s leading edge economic development initiatives,” says Mayor Andy Adams. “Partnerships, high tech and the pursuit of real solutions to support regional businesses, that’s the future possibilities of TECHATCHERY and NexStream.”
“We are pleased to be a sponsor of NexStream’s portable energy pod challenge. There are many off-grid uses for portable sources of power, including logging and fishing camps, in-field video production and of course, off-grid residences. Currently, the vast majority of these are primarily, if not exclusively, fossil-fuel based – with diesel, propane or gasoline generators. We believe a strong case can be made for a portable energy pod based primarily, if not exclusively, on renewable energy sources,” says Jeanette Jackson, chief executive officer of Foresight, which supports businesses developing clean technology solutions.
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BACKGROUND
Why Campbell River?
Campbell River is positioning itself to be a technologically accessible community through investments in CRadvantage, Vancouver Island’s only municipal broadband network, the Modern Entrepreneur series, professional development and networking opportunities and NexStream challenges.
“In my extensive experience in developing entrepreneur programs around the world, this alignment of strong sector focus supported by government with proven investors and corporate sponsorship is unique and positions this program to be a success in elevating Campbell River's place in an innovation economy,” states Keith Ippel, Spring CEO & Cofounder.
With natural beauty in a mountain and marine setting, Campbell River offers an inviting blend of rural and urban opportunities with the amenities of a large city and the welcoming feel of a small town. A vibrant downtown, affordable housing, and a mild west coast climate that allows for year-round outdoor recreation and an unparalleled lifestyle, are attracting young families and professionals to the area.
Campbell River, the Salmon Capital of the World, is the natural setting for small business and large industries are supported to stay, grow and innovate.
About Campbell River Angel Group
CRAG members are accredited investors with a stake in the Campbell River area, who have founded or managed successful private or public high technology companies. CRAG’s vision is to build a technology incubator in Campbell River, and NexStream is designed to accelerate the development of the local tech sector.
About Spring
Spring was founded in 2014 with a simple, bold, vision: to change the world through entrepreneurship. Spring engages with entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem supporters in the debate on impact, measurement, how you can have a big impact and make money at the same time. Spring works with entrepreneurs, incubators, accelerators, foundations, donors, and governments to ensure a holistic approach to organizational and ecosystem growth.
About Foresight Cleantech Accelerator Centre
Foresight is Western Canada’s Cleantech Innovation Center which supports the identification and validation of cleantech opportunities and the successful commercialization of solutions. We bring together industry, government, academia and technologists to innovate and enable a responsible, more sustainable tomorrow. Find out more at www.foresightcac.com and follow on Twitter @ForesightCAC.
About Futurpreneur Canada
Futurpreneur Canada has been fueling the entrepreneurial passions of Canada’s young enterprise for two decades as the only national, non-pro?t organization that provides ?nancing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18 to 39. Their internationally recognized mentoring program hand matches young entrepreneurs with a business expert from a network of more than 3,000 volunteer mentors.
About Shaw
Shaw is Western Canada’s leading network and content specialist. Shaw Communications Inc. proudly serves 3.2 million customers, including 1.9 million internet subscribers and more than one million home phone customers. Shaw’s extensive and reliable network consists of 860,000 kilometres of fibre. Shaw has always been a growth company and is committed to creating exceptional experiences for customers through innovative content and distribution offerings.
For immediate release
For more information, please contact:
Astrid Nunez
Foresight
604-358-5079
anunez@foresightcac.com
Rose Klukas
Economic Development Officer, City of Campbell River
250-286-5700
David Baar
Campbell River Angel Group
crag@davebaar.com
