Business Growth
We’re happy to help provide access to some of the incredible BC-based programs listed below.
Business Basin Advisor Program
The Basin Business Advisor Program (BBA) supports and inspires entrepreneurship, building economic capacity in the Columbia Basin communities by strengthening and supporting existing businesses. They provide free, one-to-one, confidential business advisement and assessment services to commercialized, revenue-producing businesses that are assisting in creating and sustaining jobs and/or bringing wealth to the Columbia Basin region.
Common areas of support include: growth planning, preparing for financing, marketing, managing staff, managing cash flow, digital solutions (e-commerce, marketing, inventory management, book keeping, cash flow management, etc), branding, distribution… basically working on any part of business operations or life cycle is possible. They provide advisement and tools to manage your business – you make the decisions and implement.
To be eligible for service a business must be based in the Columbia Basin region, be revenue generating for more than one year and registered with the Canadian government. The BBA Program is funded by Columbia Basin Trust and Managed by Kootenay Peaks Advisory.
Visit bbaprogram.ca to learn more and for an easy application, log on to: bbaprogram.ca/form/business/
Export Navigator
The Export Navigator Program offers free expert guidance to businesses on exporting. Whether your business already exports at volume or you run a smaller enterprise that hasn’t yet crossed borders, you will be put in touch with a helpful advisor who will demystify the export process. Although the current climate has disrupted the flow of goods and services, we can help you diversify your market and strengthen your business.
The program is available to all BC businesses located outside of Greater Vancouver and Greater Victoria and offers specialized advisors for businesses owned by Indigenous peoples, youth (under 30 years of age), and women.
Visit www.exportnavigator.ca to find out more.
Community Futures
Community Futures is a community-drive, non-profit business loan, business development, and community economic development organization. We partner with community and business leaders to foster rural economic growth, and build vibrant, sustainable communities. Funded by the Government of Canada, Community Futures has been supporting rural entrepreneurs and communities for over 30 years. To find the Community Futures office nearest you, visit communityfutureskootenay.com.
KAST (Kootenay Association for Science & Technology)
Since 1998, KAST (Kootenay Association for Science & Technology) has led our region’s economic development through technology and innovation. We are the only non-profit tech association serving the entire Kootenay region. Our main offerings are: the Venture Acceleration Program, DER3 program, Kootenay Pitch Competition, Tech Resiliency Program, Nelson Innovation Centre and GLOWS.
Our mission is to enable a vibrant, thriving and healthy tech community in the Kootenays by creating inclusive economic opportunities, stimulating job growth and by providing entrepreneurs and businesses with the support they need to thrive in the local and digital economy.
Our Digital Economy: Rapid Response + Resiliency (DER3) program
In response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic comes the new Digital Economy: Rapid Response + Resiliency (DER3) program, developed by Innovate BC.
- Offers Kootenay small and medium sized businesses options and info on how to enter or expand into the digital economy.
- Provides personalized advisory services and coaching, for businesses in any sector, at NO COST or OBLIGATION.
DER3 will set you up with local Kootenay tech consultants who will:
- ASSESS the digital needs of your business
- RECOMMEND tech tools and solutions that will save you time and money
- CREATE a new technology action plan
- CONNECT you with local digital service providers for contracted solutions
- PROVIDE guidance, tools and best practices for your digital transformation
KAST is proud to bring this new program to the Kootenay region. Visit www.kast.com/der3 to find out more or apply today.
Venture Acceleration Program
The Venture Acceleration Program (VAP) helps early-stage entrepreneurs grow their companies. Led by experienced mentors, this ongoing 6-12 month program offers a disciplined approach to growing and taking your business to market. Participating entrepreneurs will have access to one-to-one coaching with an experienced Executive in Residence (EiR) who will take a structured approach to help you define your business model, discover product and market fit, and grow your business.
We are here to help you take your idea further and give you the mentorship, peer-to-peer engagement and resources you need as an early-stage entrepreneur.
Find out more and apply today at: www.kast.com/programs/venture-acceleration/
