Startups & Small Business

Join the Central Okanagan’s vibrant startup community


With a vibrant startup community, strong support for entrepreneurs and competitive costs, it’s no wonder the Central Okanagan is home to 30,649 registered businesses.

The Central Okanagan’s entrepreneurial culture and strong support networks make it an ideal place to start and grow a business.

 

Resources

COEDC Business Services Guide

COEDC Business Finance Guide

Entrepreneur’s toolkit: Business tools to help you successfully manage, grow and promote your business

Developing your business idea: Turning your idea into a profitable business model

Choosing a location for your business: What to consider when selecting a commercial space for your business

Small Business Hub: Get the demographic data you need to better understand your target markets

Writing a business plan: How to write a successful business plan

Types of business ownership: Determining whether incorporation, partnership or sole proprietorship is right for your business

Small business survival statistics: Advice on how to have a successful first year in business

Business Support Organizations

Access programs, coaching and mentorship to support your early-stage or growing tech business. Accelerate Okanagan can support founders of all types.

Small business loans, business counseling and specialized services available to help you start or grow a business, and to help communities become more resilient and dynamic

Our Economic Trust contributes to economic growth and diversity in the Southern Interior of BC.

WeBC is a not-for-profit that has been supporting, propelling, and celebrating women entrepreneurs in BC for nearly three decades.

The Business Development Bank of Canada support’s small and medium-sized businesses in all industries and at every stage of growth with money and advice.

 A national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39. Our internationally recognized mentoring program hand matches young entrepreneurs with a business expert from a network of more than 2,400 volunteer mentors.

Small Business BC helps BC entrepreneurs grow through expert business advisors, educational services, easy-to-use free resources.

When you join Export Navigator, you’ll be connected with an export advisor who will get to know your business. Free of charge, your advisor will collaborate with you one-on-one to create a realistic growth plan and help you on your export journey.