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September 12, 2006
New Mentorship Programs Launched in the Okanagan to Help Entrepreneurs Become Leaders
Kelowna, British Columbia — Entrepreneurs pursuing business opportunities in the technology and agriculture sectors will benefit from two new mentorship programs available in the Okanagan region.
“These programs will build the capacity of local entrepreneurs competing in today’s dynamic business environment,” said Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country, on behalf of the Honourable Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Western Economic Diversification. “Small businesses are key drivers of economic growth and they must have access to valuable resources and services to be successful.”
The programs are made possible with a $219,000 investment from Western Economic Diversification Canada.
The Okanagan Science and Technology Council (OSTEC) created the Okanagan Business
Mentorship Network to offer one-stop access to services for entrepreneurs starting
or expanding their businesses in the technology sector. A network of experienced
entrepreneurs, business development professionals and a business coach will
lend their expertise to this initiative.
“Often, all a new entrepreneur needs is the confidence that can be found
by talking with someone who has already traveled a similar path—and the
mentorship program provides this opportunity,” said Diana Groffen, Executive
Director, OSTEC. “I am confident this program will stimulate technology
business start-ups, increase their success in the technology sector and attract
investment to this region.”
The Regional District of the Central Okanagan will implement the Agriculture Futures Program that provides business mentoring assistance to farmers to enable them to realize new opportunities for their farm business.
“We are excited to be able to provide focused support to the agricultural sector to further develop our regional economy,” said Robert Fine, Executive Director, Economic Development Commission of the Regional District of the Central Okanagan.
Western Economic Diversification Canada is the federal department mandated to support economic diversification in communities across Western Canada.
For additional information, contact:
|
Mike Winterburn Karl Yeh |
Diana Groffen Robert Fine |
WD Toll-Free Number:
1 888 338-WEST (9378) |
Backgrounder
Okanagan Science and Technology Council
The Okanagan Science and Technology Council will receive $119,000 from Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) to create the Okanagan Business Mentorship Network (also known as OkanaganMentors.com – a website still in development).
This program will offer techonolgy entrepreneurs the following services:
- A network of mentors consisting of experienced entrepreneurs and business development professionals
- A business coach who will visit technology enterprises to learn about their challenges and offer assistance
- Peer to peer mentoring roundtables
- A single point of reference to all sources of business information
Regional District of Central Okanagan
An investment of $100,000 from WD will help the Regional District of Central Okanagan establish the Agriculture Futures Program that focuses on the following activities:
- Complete a situational analysis of the agriculture industry in the region
- Work with the farm community to raise awareness of existing programs
- Provide assistance to farmers in accessing farm programs
- Provide assistance through business seminars for farmers and other interested community members
- Develop a comprehensive information resource for farmers and other stakeholders