Shaping an inclusive entrepreneurial future in northern B.C.
UNBC brings together students, faculty, researchers, entrepreneurs and community organizations to foster innovation, build connections and lead the way on sustainable economic growth across the region.
Prince George, B.C. – The University of Northern British Columbia is collaborating widely with national and regional partners to lead a dynamic and inclusive entrepreneurial future for northern B.C. and beyond.
Earlier this month, UNBC hosted the Northern Regional Round Table for an Inclusive Entrepreneurial Future at its Prince George campus. This landmark event brought together students, faculty, innovators, entrepreneurs, community leaders and support organizations to spark ideas, build connections and co-create a roadmap for entrepreneurial growth that leverages the unique strengths of the region.
“Cultivating a culture of entrepreneurship is essential to empowering our students and researchers to think boldly, innovate and create meaningful impact,” said UNBC President Dr. Geoff Payne in opening remarks to those gathered. “Entrepreneurship occurs across all disciplines. By equipping the University community with the skills, resources and mindset to turn ideas into action, we strengthen UNBC’s role as a hub for transformative solutions.”
The event provided an opportunity for National Invention to Innovation (i2I) Network Academic Director Dr. Sarah Lubik (shown in centre of photo at left) to personally welcome UNBC into the program.
Led by Lubik and her team at Simon Fraser University, the i2I network received a $22.9 million federal Lab to Market grant earlier this year to bridge the gap between invention and innovation.
UNBC will take the lead on i2I’s North strategy in collaboration with Lakehead and Yukon Universities to develop entrepreneurial skills training for researchers and engagement with Indigenous communities.
The University is committed to building an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem across the region. As the Northern Hub for the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub Canada (BEKH), UNBC plays a key role in advancing initiatives that support Black students, researchers and entrepreneurs. BEKH Principal Investigator Dr. Gerald Grant delivered the round table’s keynote address, sharing insights and data from a national research project aimed at advancing and energizing Black entrepreneurship across the country.
“BEKH support has been transformational in seeding entrepreneurship activities in the North,” said Round Table Organizing Team member, UNBC BEKH Research Associate Fryderyk Paczkowski. “The connections formed and ideas shared will play a vital role in shaping the future of entrepreneurship support in the region.”
Participants heard from Connected Canadians CEO Emily Jones Joanisse (shown in photo at right), who shared her experiences as a woman in technology during a fireside chat. Joanisse detailed her inspiring journey towards social innovation as co-founder of an organization focused on digital literacy and social inclusion.
Northern Innovation Network (NIN) Executive Director Mary Mytting provided attendees with an overview of the ways NIN works to support entrepreneurs in northern B.C. and exciting initiatives underway.
The speakers set the stage for open, insightful and engaging round table discussions in the afternoon.
“This event was an exciting conversation about the power of innovation and entrepreneurship,” said UNBC Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lead Rich McAloney. “By creating opportunities to come together to support inclusive entrepreneurship and enhance regional partnerships, UNBC hopes to foster collaborations that drive economic and social growth in the North.”