Accelerate Okanagan is pleased to announce that it has launched, in partnership with local leaders, a new Economic Impact Study for the Okanagan tech sector.
The study will measure key economic outputs of the tech sector, including jobs, revenue, and investment, while also exploring the deeper challenges and opportunities faced by business owners in the Okanagan. Accelerate Okanagan(AO) has contracted KPMG to conduct the study, and several aligned organizations, including the City of Vernon, the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission, Tourism Kelowna, Okanagan College, UBC Okanagan, and the Kelowna International Airport, have come on board to support it.
”Benchmarking and understanding the performance of a sector is critical for informing policymakers and allocating resources,” said Krista Mallory, Manager at the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission. “We are looking forward to seeing the results and uncovering new opportunities for businesses in the Okanagan’.
AO is asking for the help of tech companies located in the Okanagan Similkameen, the Central Okanagan, the North Okanagan, and a portion of the Columbia-Shuswap region (see red highlighted areas in the map below) to take 20 minutes to fill in the survey. The final public report will be published in the fall of 2024. AO and KPMG will keep all information submitted strictly confidential. Data will be de-identified and only shared publicly in aggregate form.
There are many benefits and reasons why now is a good time to complete this study. Understanding the tech sector’s contribution to the development of the Okanagan helps to amplify the expertise and growth of the sector, which attracts talent and investment to our region. It also allows us to take a closer look at the potential challenges and opportunities within the sector, providing a foundation for identifying issues and leveraging strengths. The last Economic Impact Study of the Okanagan tech sector was conducted in 2017. Since then, the Okanagan has experienced many local and global changes including; an increase in remote teams, an influx of expertise and talent, the opportunities and changes brought by tech exits and/or acquisitions, and the repercussions of the pandemic.
If you’re unsure if your company is a fit to participate in the study, you can learn more by reading our Economic Impact Study webpage and FAQ. Submissions are due June 30. Sign up for Accelerate Okanagan’s newsletter to stay informed about the progress and updates.
