VICTORIA, BC (July 9, 2025) - VIATEC is pleased to announce the first series of BOOST recipients. Eleven (11) Victoria-based, high potential technology ventures have been selected to receive assistance to implement high-impact projects. These projects will help to accelerate proven local tech companies, unlock new opportunities and achieve higher levels of growth, adding further to the economy of British Columbia.

BOOST is a new initiative led by VIATEC to help Greater Victoria’s tech companies grow faster and stronger. It focuses on supporting local startups and scale-ups that show high potential by connecting them with expert advisors, targeted resources, and customized growth plans.

Qualifying companies are selected through a comprehensive screening process that assesses their growth potential, leadership team, market opportunity, and readiness to scale. Those selected receive funding to implement self-designed growth strategies—giving them the flexibility to focus on what they need most, whether that's hiring, product development, customer acquisition, or operational improvements. 

The Government of Canada, through Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan), is supporting VIATEC with a $2.5-million investment to deliver BOOST through the Business Acceleration Pilot (BizAP), which aims to accelerate job creation and long-term economic impact in the region. Recipients receive up to $45,000 in investment to implement their personalized growth plans to expand into new markets. 

“Congratulations to the first recipients of VIATEC’s BOOST initiative,” said the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada. “Through PacifiCan’s Business Acceleration Pilot, we’re supporting entrepreneurs who are ready to scale their businesses and reach new markets. Together, we’re driving innovation, creating good jobs, and building a stronger, more resilient Canadian economy.”

“We built BOOST to meet companies where they are,” said Dan Gunn, CEO of VIATEC. “Instead of forcing them into a one-size-fits-all program, we give them the freedom and investment to pursue their own growth strategies, with the right support behind them. These are companies that already show strong potential, and BOOST is about helping them scale faster, create more jobs, stay rooted in this region and break through to the next level.”

We would like to offer our congratulations to the following recipients:

• Appreciation Engine Inc
• Button Inc
• Care2TalkTechnologies Ltd
• Category 12 Brewing Inc.
• CultureFoundry
• Ergo Eco Solutions Inc. (Ergo)
• Fast Moving Software
• GECCO Green Edge Computing Corp.
• joni
• Limbic Media
• VoxCell BioInnovation Inc.

These ventures will be implementing projects such as:

• Supporting fractional marketing experts to focus on export markets and international sales
• Addressing current leadership capacity and expertise gaps
• Obtaining enterprise level certifications required for selling into specific export markets
• Market research, product prototyping, and pilot testing to enter into European markets
• Developing technical, marketing and sales relationships with technology companies outside of North America
• Using fractional financial advisors to secure Series A financing

About VIATEC
VIATEC’s (Victoria Innovation, Advanced Technology and Entrepreneurship Council) mission is to serve as the one-stop hub that connects people, knowledge and resources to grow and promote the Greater Victoria technology sector. Technology is Victoria's #1 industry with a $5.87 Billion Annual Revenue, a $7.87 Billion Economic Impact and over 20,000 employees across 1,172 high-tech companies - and growing!

About PacifiCan

PacifiCan (Pacific Economic Development Canada) is the federal economic development agency dedicated to British Columbians. PacifiCan works with partners who are building innovative businesses, creating quality jobs, and supporting inclusive growth throughout our province.

Through the Business Acceleration Pilot, PacifiCan is providing funding for organizations to deliver tailored support for growth-oriented businesses. This includes providing them with access to the investment capital, customers, and expert advice they need to grow.

Business Acceleration Pilot projects were funded through an open call for proposals from both not-for-profit and for-profit organizations, including business accelerators, angel networks, Indigenous-led or owned organizations, and industry associations.

For media inquiries related to VIATEC
Dan Gunn, CEO

dgunn@viatec.ca

250-882-2820

VIATEC

www.viatec.ca

Tessa Davies, Director of Communications and Events

tessa@viatec.ca

VIATEC

www.viatec.ca

Application intake for the next BOOST is now open and closes on July 30 at 11:59 pm PT. Details about the program, including how to apply and a full program guide, are available on www.viatec.ca. For project-specific questions, please email rbennett@viatec.ca.