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Okanagan Centre for Innovation (OCI) To Receive $3.4 Million Funding from WED to Build Out its New Space
Monday, July 27, 2015Company Profile | Follow Company
Vancouver, BC, July 27, 2015--(T-Net)--The Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification (WD), announced Friday over $3.4 million in funding to the Kelowna Innovation Society (KIS) for their project that will build out, equip, and operate the publicly-funded space at the Okanagan Centre for Innovation (OCI).
Boasting over 24,000 square feet of space - that includes a business incubator, training and digital media labs, and presentation and meeting space - the OCI will provide innovators, entrepreneurs, and emerging high-growth companies with direct access to resources, facilities, funding and mentorship.
The Centre will bring the Okanagan innovation community together under one roof, providing entrepreneurs and start-ups with the support they need to build their companies and create new job opportunities. Moreover, the Centre will also further establish the Okanagan region as a leading technology centre, helping to increase trade, raise national and international awareness, and attract and retain new talent.
The Honourable Michelle Rempel stated, "The Okanagan is a recognized as a hub for innovation and our Government's support for the Okanagan Centre for Innovation is positioning the region for further success. By helping companies bring their innovative ideas to market we are creating jobs and economic growth."
"The development of the Centre for Innovation will add tremendous value to the entire Okanagan technology community and further establish the region as the best place for entrepreneurs to start and grow innovative, creative and technology-focused companies. We are thrilled to be partnering with the Government of Canada on this exciting project" said Jeff Keen, Vice-President and Director, Kelowna Innovation Society.
About Okanagan Centre for Innovation (OCI)
The Okanagan Centre for Innovation (OCI) is a 9,728 m2 (104,715 s.f.) facility proposed for development on a 2,025 m2 (21,800 s.f.) lot at the corner of Doyle and Ellis in the heart of Kelowna's Cultural District.
The state-of-the-art building would house everything from two-person start-ups to large technology and innovation firms. Publicly-supported space and services would also be available for early-stage companies, non-profits, community groups, and social enterprises. The goal of the OCI is to build Canada's most innovative, creative, and entrepreneurial technology community.
Conceived by a group of entrepreneurs and community and civic leaders, and inspired in part by the purposeful design and development investments of the Pixar, Apple and Google campuses, this partnership seeks to solve the challenge of diversifying from resource and manufacturing-based economies to knowledge-based economies.
Construction began in October 2014 with completion slated for late 2016.
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