Invest Kelowna

06/02/2026

Building on the success of the first three cohorts of the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council, the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, has launched the application period for the fourth cohort. The deadline for applications is July 1, 2026,

The Canadian Agricultural Youth Council has a proven track record of providing valuable insights and advice on important issues, including how to: attract and retain young people to the sector, leverage technology for more efficient and innovative agriculture, and make sense of ruptures to global food trade and an uncertain world. Young people aged 18 to 30 who work, study, or contribute to Canada's agriculture and agri-food value chain and broader food systems are encouraged to apply here. This includes youth involved in farming, food production, innovation, sustainability, food security initiatives, and community-based food projects.

Learn more and apply by July 1st : https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/department/initiatives/youth/canadian-agricultural-youth-council

  Join the Council!Apply by July 1, 2026.Apply now!For more information: Minister launches fourth intake of members for the Canadian Agricultural Youth CouncilYoung Canadians are dynamic, engaged and passionate about the future of the agriculture and agri-food sector, and giving them a voice at the...

06/01/2026

Being connected to the earth and supporting health—of people and the planet—have been foundational to Little Creek Dressing since its Creator and Owner, Donna Denison, launched the company in 1995 from the organic farm she and her husband, Dale, started in West Kelowna.

In the early years, Dale farmed organic vegetables while Donna worked off the farm, all the while raising their twin girls and Donna’s son, Jubi. In the mid-90s, Donna started searching for a path that would allow her to stay home with her young daughters. At the time, the Department of Agriculture was encouraging farmers to create value-added products—this sparked the idea that would fuel Donna’s entrepreneurial journey and ongoing legacy.

Discover her inspiring story on OKGo’s website - https://www.ok-go.ca/agriculture/little-creek-dressing/

05/26/2026

We are excited to announce that we have launched a newly refreshed Business Resource Hub, a digital platform designed to make it easier for businesses across the Central Okanagan to access the supports they need to start, grow, and succeed. The digital hub brings together the region’s business support ecosystem into a single, user-friendly platform, offering entrepreneurs and business owners a comprehensive view of available programs, services, and organizations, all in one place. Businesses can easily search and filter resources by topic, including starting a business, financing, exporting, Indigenous business supports, networking and emergency preparedness. This ensures users can quickly identify relevant services based on their specific needs and eliminates the need for businesses to search across multiple websites and sources.

Visit https://www.investkelowna.com/business-resource-hub/ for the Business Resource Hub.

05/21/2026

Thank you to the Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth for the opportunity to showcase the Central Okanagan at the BC Regional Showcase Breakfast Networking event at the Vancouver Club during Web Summit 2026 last week.

Our Manager, Krista Mallory, highlighted the Central Okanagan’s strong business climate and diverse investment opportunities, connecting with international delegates interested in partnerships and expansion beyond Metro Vancouver. The event provided an opportunity to showcase the Central Okanagan’s strong sector diversity, 780+ tech companies, and specific investment-ready opportunities at Kelowna International Airport and the Lake Country Business Park underscoring the region’s readiness for growth with available land, efficient processes, and strong partnerships. Ruth Sulentich, Economic Development Officer from the District of Lake Country , was also in attendance, further demonstrating regional collaboration.

They also represented the region at the Investor Matchmaking event later that afternoon, hosted by Global Affairs Canada. The session provided an opportunity to connect directly with investors through speed networking and scheduled meetings, alongside presentations about the federal programs such as the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Program and the Global Skills Strategy.

The events served as a valuable platform to promote the Central Okanagan’s strengths across key sectors, while fostering meaningful conversations with global investors and partners exploring opportunities in British Columbia.

Did you know that the Central Okanagan is:

• Home to 222,162 residents – 12.6 % growth from 2021 to 2025
• Made up of 7 unique communities
• 2 post-secondary campuses, 27,000+ students & 1,030+ research projects
• Strategically located for key market access from Kelowna International Airport
• 467 tech firms in the Central Okanagan contributing 3.01B in total economic impact

05/20/2026

With defence investment creating new opportunities across Canada, the Central Okanagan is taking steps to better understand where our region fits and how local businesses can benefit. This morning, the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC) hosted a Special Forum focused on the defence sector and its growth potential in the region. Chaired by RDCO Chair Loyal Wooldridge, the session brought together COEDC Advisory Committee members, community leaders and businesses that are directly involved in, adjacent to or have the potential to grow within the defence sector.

The Honourable Stephen Fuhr, Privy Councillor (PC), Canadian Forces Decoration (CD), Member of Parliament (MP) for Kelowna, and Secretary of State (Defence Procurement), provided opening remarks and a national perspective on Canada’s defence procurement and industrial strategy. He highlighted how defence investment is shaping domestic supply chains and creating economic opportunities across the country.

Joining virtually, Jenifer Lévesque, Acting Director ITB Strategic Policy, with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada spoke about Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) and the role this program plays in the defence procurement system, ensuring that major defence purchases generate economic value and industrial growth within Canada. We also heard from Alex Averiss, Major Accounts – Defence Sector – BC and North with the Business Development Bank of Canada, who shared how BDC supports companies looking to scale into defence markets through financing, advisory services, and strategic growth planning. Jo Ann Purcell, Chief of Staff to the CEO and Director General of Agency Operations, who also joined virtually, provided insights into the role of the Defence Investment Agency in strengthening Canada’s defence industrial base and how businesses can engage with emerging opportunities tied to national defence priorities and investment programs.

The forum concluded with an industry roundtable moderated by Mark Burleigh, President of Northside Industries. The discussion featured Matt Stone, Defence Contract Manager at KF Aerospace, and Tony Weller, Sales & Marketing Director at Kelowna-based AEM Corp, who shared their experiences and insights working within the defence sector.

The COEDC is actively working to support growth in the regional defence and defence-adjacent sectors and today marked an important first step in sharing this information with the community. This is just the beginning, with a more in-depth industry-focused workshop planned for later this fall. The work continues to build momentum, with COEDC manager, Krista Mallory, attending CANSEC, Canada’s largest defence and security trade show, next week in Ottawa, to strengthen connections and bring back insights for the region.

05/12/2026

Happy Economic Development Week!

At COEDC, we re proud to support local businesses, attract new investment, and strengthen our regional economy. We have been representing the Central Okanagan at recent events like Grocery & Specialty Food West, where we supported and connected with food and beverage producers, and the Southern Interior Horticultural Show, engaging with growers and industry partners in the agriculture sector. We are also looking forward to showcasing the region’s digital technology sector and making new industry connections at Web Summit Vancouver this week.

Through our services, we provide one-on-one business support, conduct site visits, deliver economic climate presentations, and connect businesses to the resources they need to grow and succeed. Contact us to schedule a site visit or access business resources.

To learn more, visit www.investkelowna.com

04/28/2026

Join on June 4 for the 8th annual Okanagan Angel Summit, hosted by Accelerate Okanagan.

Start the day at the Summit Forum, a new daytime gathering for founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders focused on networking, learning, and meaningful conversations around early-stage venture investing. Then head to Metro Hub for the Finale presented by Wealth, where the Top 5 companies will pitch live, and investors will decide how this year’s $200K+ fund will be allocated.

Whether you attend the Forum, the Finale, or both, this is a chance to experience the full startup-investor ecosystem in action.

Learn more and save your seat >> okgnangelsummit.com/schedule2026/

Tickets are now available for the Okanagan Angel Summit ⛰️

The 8th annual Summit culminates on June 4th with a full day of founder, investor, and ecosystem programming in downtown Kelowna. Start with the Investor & Founder Forum at the Kelowna Innovation Centre, followed by the evening Finale, presented by ATB Wealth at Metro Hub From thoughtful conversations to an exciting live finale with pitches from the Top 5 Finalists, the day brings the community together to celebrate entrepreneurship. Join us to see how the investors will decide how to allocate this year’s $200K+ fund!

Make sure to save your spot at the biggest Okanagan Angel Summit experience yet.

See the schedule and get tickets >> https://hubs.la/Q04cpkzW0

04/28/2026

The latest COEDC Advisory Committee meeting featured a deep and timely discussion on the state of agriculture in the Central Okanagan, underscoring both the significant pressures facing producers and the critical need for stronger collaboration across the sector.

Kellie Garcia, Project Director of the Cross Commodity Leadership Support (CCLS) Project, provided an overview of the initiative, which brings together five key industry organizations representing tree fruits and wine grapes: the BC Cherry Association, BC Fruit Growers’ Association, BC Grape Growers’ Association, BC Wine Grape Council, and the Okanagan Kootenay Sterile Insect Release (SIR) Program.

The meeting also included a panel discussion facilitated by Myrna Stark Leader, Agriculture Program Specialist with COEDC, featuring Sukhpaul Bal (President, BC Cherry Association), Adrian Arts (Executive Director, BC Fruit Growers’ Association), and Kevin Day (Owner and Manager, Day’s Century Growers).

Read our blog for a recap of our advisory committee meeting last month - https://www.investkelowna.com/blog/agriculture-in-the-central-okanagan/

Or click the link in our bio.

For recaps of future advisory committee meetings, visit our blog page.

The COEDC Advisory Committee is a 45-member group made up of industry leaders, community shapers and elected officials. The Committee meets monthly to share information and work together towards sustainable economic growth.

04/27/2026

Calling all Central Okanagan tech and innovation leaders: we are heading to Web Summit 2026 in Vancouver to represent the region’s growing tech ecosystem and highlight how the Central Okanagan is building a strong foundation at the intersection of digital technology, innovation, and sustainability.

The COEDC team will be engaging at the summit with global founders, investors, and industry leaders, showcasing the Central Okanagan’s tech community, building connections, and exploring opportunities to attract investment and new partnerships to the region. If you are planning to attend, we would love to connect in advance or at the summit to learn more about how we can support you.

📍 Vancouver | May 11 to May 14, 2026

Learn more: https://vancouver.websummit.com/

04/27/2026

Last week, our Business Development Officers, Sascha Lesack and Brianne Ververda, represented Central Okanagan food and beverage manufacturers at Grocery & Specialty Food West in Vancouver. They were joined by Ntityix Development Corporation, Tourism Kelowna, and the District of Lake Country. As Canada’s only grocery focused show, it offered direct exposure to industry leaders, emerging brands, and innovative solutions across the supply chain. We benefited from meaningful networking with producers, manufacturers, and retailers, gained early visibility into trends shaping packaging, sustainability, technology, and retail expectations in today’s market. The scale and diversity of the trade floor created important opportunities to listen, learn, and better understand where targeted, practical support can have the greatest impact for the sector.

Based on those conversations, we’re exploring practical ways to support the food and beverage sector. The goal is free support that feels useful. We would love to connect and learn what kind of resources or learning opportunities would move the needle. Site visits are also an important part of our role, and we’re happy to come to your location and learn more about your operations.

Learn more here: https://www.investkelowna.com/local-business-support/