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Greater Victoria · British Columbia

Victoria

Victoria pairs a large public-sector and post-secondary base with a technology industry of roughly a thousand firms branded Tectoria, plus growing ocean and marine technology strength. VIATEC, Alacrity Canada and provincial programs form the core of local support.

20 resources · Checked September 2026

Programs marked Provincial apply anywhere in British Columbia. See Canada-wide programs →

Grants & funding 8

Innovate BC

Provincial

Provincial Crown agency funding R&D, pilots and technology adoption, and delivering the Venture Acceleration Program and Ignite.

For B.C. technology companies and researchers at any stage

Reimburses employers 80 per cent of training costs, up to $10,000 per employee and $300,000 per employer each year.

For B.C. employers training staff or prospective new hires

Gives investors a 30 per cent provincial tax credit for equity investments in registered B.C. small businesses.

For Early-stage B.C. companies raising equity, and their investors

Annual provincial startup competition awarding $250,000 in cash and in-kind prizes, with mentorship and expert feedback.

For B.C. tech startups under five years old with under $1M raised

WeBC

Non-profit

Provides business loans, advising, mentorship and skills training to women entrepreneurs across British Columbia.

For Self-identifying women entrepreneurs in B.C.

Offers startup loans of up to $75,000 plus up to two years of matched mentorship for young entrepreneurs.

For Founders aged 18 to 39, in business up to 24 months

Federal bank for entrepreneurs offering term loans, working capital, venture capital and paid advisory services.

For Canadian small and medium-sized businesses

Mitacs

Non-profit

Cost-shares paid research internships that place graduate students and postdocs on company R&D projects.

For Companies with a research problem and a university partner

Accelerators & incubators 4

Coaching and mentorship program helping early-stage tech companies define a proven, repeatable business model.

For Early-stage technology founders on Vancouver Island

Alacrity Canada

Non-profit

Vancouver Island non-profit running the Startup Visa Program, the APEX export program and the ARC Lab defence initiative.

For B.C. SMEs exporting, and immigrant entrepreneurs

COAST

Non-profit

Victoria-based Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies, supporting B.C. ocean and marine innovation ventures.

For Ocean and blue-economy startups in British Columbia

On-campus incubator offering free programs, mentorship and the PitchIt and PlanIt competitions to student entrepreneurs.

For University of Victoria students and early-stage founders

Investors 1

Angel network connecting B.C. founders with active angel investors and early-stage funds through monthly pitch events.

For Early-stage B.C. companies raising an angel or seed round

Government services 2

PacifiCan

Federal

Federal regional development agency for B.C., funding innovation ecosystems, community economic development and quantum commercialization.

For B.C. businesses and not-for-profits, by program

Municipal one-window service with a Business Ambassador guiding licensing, permits, zoning and referrals to other agencies.

For People starting or relocating a business in Victoria

Industry & trade 3

VIATEC

Non-profit

Victoria's tech industry council, running roundtables, recruitment support, awards and the Tectoria regional promotion effort.

For Technology companies and workers in Greater Victoria

Business association representing nearly 1,400 member companies with advocacy, events, a job board and member savings.

For Businesses of any size in Greater Victoria

Member-led provincial tech association running #ScaleUpAcademy, an AI vertical accelerator, market access and IP programs.

For B.C. technology companies scaling up

Community 1

Regional economic alliance of municipalities, First Nations and employers stewarding Greater Victoria's economic development strategy.

For Employers, institutions and investors in the South Island

Workspace & labs 1

Fort Tectoria

Non-profit

VIATEC's coworking and event building at 777 Fort Street, with desks, private offices, meeting rooms and a café.

For Tech founders, small teams and event organizers