RaceRocks 3D, an Indigenous-owned and woman-led tech company based in Victoria, British Columbia (B.C.), is using its investment to accelerate its growth and push the boundaries of its technology.

In 2022, InBC invested in Raven Indigenous Capital Partners, an Indigenous-owned and led impact investing firm focused on investing in scaling Indigenous enterprises. Since then, Raven has been actively investing in B.C. companies. Recently, it led the successful fundraising round for RaceRocks 3D, a technology company modernizing training in the Canadian defense and aerospace sectors.

RaceRocks is a certified Indigenous business led by Co-Founder and President, Anita Pawluk, an experienced entrepreneur who is well recognized in the technology sector. Pawluk, of Metis heritage, is also the driving force behind the company’s strong diversity, equity and inclusion. Under her leadership, the company was recognized as ViaTec’s “Tech Company of the Year” in 2017, “Technology Leader of the Year” in 2018 and “Employer of the Year” in 2022.

“For RaceRocks Raising a Series A to meet the market opportunity is not just about investment; it’s about catalyzing positive change and driving impact in the Indigenous Economy.”

– ANITA PAWLUK, CO-FOUNDER AND CEO, RACEROCKS 3D

Founded on Vancouver Island where the Royal Canadian Navy is stationed in Esquimalt, RaceRocks saw an opportunity to improve the the industry’s training methods. They set out to create engaging training experiences increasing the safety and skills development of new recruits, many of whom grew up in the digital era and learn very differently from recruits of the past.

RaceRocks offers technology-driven training solutions modernizing and elevating traditional training methods, from static content creation to immersive solutions leveraging 3D learning technology such as virtual reality. Now, trainees can navigate and test different scenarios before being put in real-world environments for the first time. This technology enabled learning is combined with training design customized to each client.

Today, the B.C.-grown company has a client list that includes some of the biggest names in defense and aerospace such as Babcock, Boeing and the Canadian Armed Forces. Locally, it is creating high-technology jobs, supporting more Indigenous Peoples in STEAM and driving economic growth on the west coast, in addition to improving the safety, efficiency and effectiveness of training methodologies for our national defense.

Raven’s investment marks a significant milestone for the company. For RaceRocks, it meant more than financial support; it demonstrated investor confidence and validated the hard work, dedication and innovation of its team. This investment is enabling the company to accelerate its growth trajectory and broaden its presence across Canada, as well as expand its research and development to push the boundaries of its technology.

Behind RaceRock’s success is its people-driven culture, including its commitment to reconciliation and empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs. As an organization, it completed the three-year committed phase of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business’ Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program, engaging employees of all levels to learn and gain perspectives on how to lead a company that is participating in and giving back to the Indigenous economy.

Externally, RaceRocks is advancing reconciliation through participating in events such as Orange Shirt Day and sponsoring other organizations in the space. Internally, it has its Aspire program, a committee run by its team members that is fostering diversity, equity and inclusion in the STEAM fields, and providing opportunities for Indigenous Peoples to participate in science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

InBC’s portfolio fund, Raven, and its investment in RaceRocks 3D is supporting a B.C.-grown, Indigenous-owned and woman-led company that is making strides in technology and revolutionizing training in the Canadian defense and aerospace sectors. RaceRocks is driving economic growth, contributing research and development and creating high-technology jobs in the province, including empowering more Indigenous Peoples to participate in and pursue careers in STEAM.

InBC invests in venture funds committed to investing in B.C. companies. This increases our investing capacity and the number of investors in the province providing capital to more B.C. businesses. These funds have the expertise to support companies in their areas of focus, such as Raven’s expertise in growing the Indigenous economy and empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs.