VIATEC announces help by waiving rent for startups, free job postings, membership deferral options and donating $10k to the rapid relief fund.

VICTORIA, BC (April 7, 2020) - All businesses have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Although the tech sector may be positioned better than most in making immediate changes to workflow, all are uncertain of the medium to longer term effects of this crisis on their businesses. 

While some companies are enjoying an increase in demand for their tools and products, many will endure varying degrees of disruption to operations and financial losses. Sales and business development have been turned on their head and orders are being cancelled or slowed as tech leaders attempt to assess current and future staffing levels. 

While our governments announce new supports daily and implement public safety measures to help “flatten the curve,” VIATEC has taken its own measures to contribute to the financial well-being of members, tenants and the greater community.

Response measures taken by VIATEC: 

• We’ve waived April’s rent for the 25 startups that are tenants of VIATEC’s building, Fort Tectoria and we are prepared to do it again in May and June if required
• Offering membership renewal deferrals for at least three months to those that need it 
• Providing the online job board at no charge to members during the crisis to help connect people with jobs 
• Committing $10,000 to the Rapid Relief Fund

“It is not a large contribution in the grand scheme of things but, for a small not-for-profit like ours, it is consequential, difficult and the least we can do,” says Dan Gunn, CEO of VIATEC.

With the generous support of members, the VIATEC Foundation had an active year contributing $300,000 to the Food Rescue Project in partnership with the Victoria Foundation and another $130,000 in support for the Mustard Seed Food Bank, the Gender Equity Fund, Greater Victoria Public Libraries, Junior Achievement of British Columbia and The Independent Media Producers Network Society. 

The remaining $10,000 held by  the VIATEC Foundation will be donated to the Rapid Relief Fund created by the Victoria Foundation, Jawl Foundation and Times Colonist. VIATEC is proud of those tech leaders that have generously offered hundreds of thousands of matching dollars to encourage donations.

VIATEC will be building it’s next campaign to replenish the fund: The VIATEC Awards. Their biggest fundraising event each year, it has been rescheduled to December 10, 2020. Guests can expect a very memorable night and one that will be much looked forward to following these tough times. The VIATEC Awards provide a momentous platform to enable and encourage the tech community to do what it can to help those in the community who need it most.
 

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Paula Parker
Community Manager
pparker@viatec.ca
Cell: 604-440-2686
 

ABOUT VIATEC:

VIATEC (Victoria Innovation, Advanced Technology and Entrepreneurship Council), started in 1989. VIATEC's mission is to cultivate the most cohesive tech community in the world by providing resources to tackle shared opportunities and challenges while boosting a sense of belonging and shaping our region. (Victoria's biggest industry is tech!).

We work closely with our members to offer a variety of events, programs and services. In addition, VIATEC serves as the front door of the local tech sector and as its spokesperson. To better support local innovators, we acquired our own building (Fort Tectoria) where we offer flexible and affordable office space to emerging local companies along with a gathering/event space for local entrepreneurs.