Kamloops was named Startup Canada Community of the Year at the national Startup Canada Awards in Ottawa last night. The award recognized Startup Kamloops as having an extraordinary impact on the local environment for entrepreneurship.
Kamloops Innovation executive director Lincoln Smith was in Ottawa this week to accept the award and take part in Startup Canada Day on the Hill, meeting with MPs to talk innovation and entrepreneurship.
#Kamloops, this award is for you. The entire community! @kicpeople 🙌🏼 https://t.co/FZbtATYPk9
— Startup Kamloops (@StartupKamloops) October 20, 2017
Kamloops joined the Startup Canada Communities network in 2016, a year after Kamloops Innovation was recognized by the organization for entrepreneurial support.
With leadership from Kamloops Innovation, Startup Kamloops brings together organizations like Venture Kamloops, the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce, Kamloops Makerspace, Community Futures, the City of Kamloops and Thompson Rivers University to “create an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship of all kinds.”
Smith said collaborations such as this have enabled the city to attract talent, jobs and companies.
Kamloops' vibrant startup community is doing big things. Congrats to @StartupKamloops for this inspiring win! #StartupCanAwards https://t.co/8loNeRBSD9
— Todd Stone (@toddstonebc) October 20, 2017
Several local entrepreneurs have also been recognized through the Startup Canada Awards:
