This initiative aims to expand sustainable opportunities for economic diversification in the City of Port Alberni and Alberni-Clayoquot region over the next decade. The project is the result of identified community need and opportunity to cultivate and sustain the ideas and talents of the younger generation, as well as encourage and optimize the talents of new skilled arrivals.
The initiative includes a series of activities and workshops geared towards building a stronger innovation ecosystem in a range of economic sectors. An online learning system will be developed, alongside a food growth program, impact innovation challenges, a food innovation master class, a modern entrepreneur series and an investor place-based summit.
An entrepreneur in residence will be hired to mentor and support entrepreneurs across multiple sectors. The project also includes the development of a local angel investors group. This team will support direct and indirect access to capital for new business ideas as well as provide guidance and mentorship for regional innovators.
We work in reciprocal relationships with coastal communities across the ancestral territories of the Kwak̓wala, Nuučaan̓uɫ, Éy7á7juuthem, Ligwilda'xw, Pəntl'áč, She shashishalhem, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Hul’q’umi’num’, diitiidʔaatx̣, SENĆOŦEN, Lekwungen, and T’Sou-ke speaking peoples.
