A strong community can promote new ideas and ensure accountability. It can also act as motivation, support, and even provide a little friendly competition. The power of community is undeniable and the Okanagan tech community is no exception.

Our community is strong and growing with record speed and maintaining connection through a period of growth like this can be a challenge. Nobody panic, we’ve got a plan.  

Introducing, The Faces of #OKGNtech. A showcase of Okanagan tech entrepreneurs, partners, supporters, and cheerleaders designed to fuel more connection, more growth, and more excitement. Follow along (on the blog and on Instagram @OKGNtech) to learn more about our growing community and what makes them awesome.

Meet Jay. Jay Bell is a Lead Developer for Trellis Fundraising Software. If Jay isn’t working out of the Strawhouse co-work space on Bernard then he is likely working up at UBC Okanagan where he is completing his degree in Computer Science. We recently caught up with Jay to learn more about the company he has been developing and what he loves about #OKGNtech. 

What has it been like working for Trellis?

“Trellis is a fundraising platform for nonprofits designed to increase donations through impact measurements for donors. This is the first time I have works for a social venture committed to doing good in the community and I am loving working on a company with a vision I can really get behind.”

What’s your favourite thing about being an entrepreneur? 

“I participated and ran Startup Weekend here in the Innovation Centre and Entrepreneurship Bootcamp at UBC Okanagan. My favourite thing about these kinds of events is watching people uncover their own entrepreneurial spirit and become an entrepreneur.” #inspired #inspire #repeat

Trellis is a fairly new company. What has that been like working on something so new?

“Working for a startup can be both hectic and exciting and honestly, I wouldn’t want it any other way. There is so much excitement in knowing how much potential there is to mine. What makes it hectic is wanting to do it all with limited resources.”

What do you love about #OKGNtech?

“We are building a community here that I don’t think exists in larger tech centres. Here we all know each other and what everyone is about. There is not a lot of competition because we are all doing something different enough that we all want to help each other, growing one company helps us all.”

Who inspires you?

“My father really inspires me. He’s always been so driven and I admire that. I guess that’s where I get my workaholic-ism from. I don’t know if that’s a word or not but I just made it one.” #Workaholicism #notaword #nowitsahashtag

What do you like about the Okanagan?

“The fact that I do what I love and live where I want to live is unreal. Kelowna is the whole package.” #Okanaganlifestyle #OKGNtech

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?

“I’ve received a lot of advice but the one thing I’ve always tried to stick to is, never burn a bridge…ever. Life is too short and the world is too small.”