Accelerate Okanagan

Accelerate Okanagan Giving entrepreneurs the mentorship, connections, & community needed to build tech-driven ventures.

Accelerate Okanagan (AO) is a not-for-profit organization that gives new and growing technology-driven businesses the mentorship, connections, and community they need to thrive. At Accelerate Okanagan we work with everyone from students to well established companies. Aspiring entrepreneurs, startups, job seekers, career-changers, companies looking to expand and grow, and companies with proven trac

k records come to Accelerate Okanagan to learn and foster their success. Our programs are designed to meet the ever-changing needs of our community. Get inspired and learn how to take the next step with your business idea with our Startup Basics Program. Developed for early stage entrepreneurs and career-changers, Startup Basics supplies participants with the tools and resources to accelerate their idea to the next stage in their entrepreneurial journey. Accelerate your growth and maximize your opportunity in our Venture Acceleration program (VAP). The VAP program utilizes workshops, seminars and other knowledge and networking events to ensure you get what you need to succeed. Create strategies for prosperity for all levels of your business through RevUP. RevUP is an intensive six-month program designed to accelerate growth potential. This program is delivered in partnership with NRC-IRAP and Discovery Foundation, for high performing, small-to-medium sized businesses.

08/13/2026

Rylee McKinlay: In a Flash ๐Ÿ“ธ

Rylee is the Events Manager at the Kelowna Innovation Centre, managing bookings and facilitating events in the Theatre, Atrium, and on the Rooftop.

Seminars and keynotes are the bread and butter. Fashion shows, live art battles, and daytime dance parties happen too. Rylee thrives in controlled chaos, and she is the reason the events work.

๐Ÿ“– Read Rylee's full Q&A on our blog >> https://hubs.la/Q04sY4qL0
๐ŸŽฅ See more conversations and follow

08/10/2026

Our member lounge is open to anyone who needs a space to work this week.

If you've been evacuated, or you're just looking for somewhere to get out of the smoke and heat for a few hours, come in. No membership required. No cost.

460 Doyle Avenue, second floor of the Innovation Centre. Open 8:30am to 4:30pm. Walk in, say hi at reception, and we'll get you on the wifi. Bring your laptop, grab a coffee, stay as long as you need.

Please pass this along to anyone it could help.

Fundable applications are open for the Fall 2026 cohort.Eight weeks. A pitch deck that's actually investor-ready, a real...
08/04/2026

Fundable applications are open for the Fall 2026 cohort.

Eight weeks. A pitch deck that's actually investor-ready, a real funding strategy, and mentors in the room with you, including Nathan McNeill back as facilitator for this cohort.

Spots are limited. Starts October 6. Applications close September 13.

Learn more and apply >> https://hubs.la/Q04rVLLq0

07/30/2026

Harley Knife: In a Flash ๐Ÿ“ธ

Harley is the Founder and CEO of Mohkoman Creative, the first Indigenous-owned animation studio in the Okanagan.

From escaping into Saturday morning cartoons as a kid to betting on himself as a founder, Harley is building a studio that makes room for more Indigenous voices in the industry, and leaving the door open for the next generation.

๐Ÿ“– Read Harley's full Q&A on our blog (link in bio)
๐ŸŽฅ See more conversations and follow

A full lounge, great crowd, and meaningful conversations at our latest Investor Circle.Thank you to Sejung Yun of Colopl...
07/21/2026

A full lounge, great crowd, and meaningful conversations at our latest Investor Circle.

Thank you to Sejung Yun of Colopl Next for sharing insights on the investment landscape and how Canadian deal terms stack up against North America and Europe, and to Michael Macaulay and Lawson Lundell LLP for leading the conversation.

Rooms like this are what Investor Membership opens up. If you want a seat at the next one, explore Investor Membership through the link in the comments.

The AO team is ready for the next Startup Drinks. Are you? Swipe through the photos to meet the crew who'll be on the ro...
07/14/2026

The AO team is ready for the next Startup Drinks. Are you?

Swipe through the photos to meet the crew who'll be on the rooftop August 13, drinks in hand, ready to introduce you to your next collaborator, hire, or friend in the Okanagan tech scene.

No agenda, no pitches. Just your people and fun summer vibes. โ˜€๏ธ

Head on up to the rooftop with us. Grab your spot >> https://hubs.la/Q04pt_3n0

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Aug 13, 4:00 to 6:30 PM
๐Ÿ“ Innovation Centre Rooftop

07/10/2026

Startup Drinks is back, and this time we're on the roof. ๐Ÿป

August 13. Cold Pillygoats, your people, and beautiful rooftop views. Sells out every time; save your spot today >> https://hubs.la/Q04pdRqm0

Startup Drinks is back, and we're taking it to the rooftop. ๐ŸปJoin us Thursday, August 13 at the Kelowna Innovation Centr...
07/09/2026

Startup Drinks is back, and we're taking it to the rooftop. ๐Ÿป

Join us Thursday, August 13 at the Kelowna Innovation Centre for a relaxed summer evening of genuine connection. No presentations. No pitches. No agenda. Just good people, cold drinks, and the kind of conversations that only happen when you step away from your desk.

Drinks and bites are on us, thanks to our sponsors Trellis.org and Scotiabank. Show up, mingle, and enjoy.

This one's open to everyone. Founders, job seekers, investors, or anyone who loves the energy of the Okanagan tech scene. Come as you are.

Startup Drinks sells out every time, and rooftop space is limited. Grab your spot early.

๐Ÿ“ Kelowna Innovation Centre Rooftop, 7th floor, 460 Doyle Ave
๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Thursday, August 13, 4:00 to 6:30 PM

Register at the link below. See you up there.

https://hubs.la/Q04n6SdZ0

Investor Circle returns July 15 with a fireside chat featuring Sejung Yun of Colopl Next, on how Canadian deal terms com...
06/30/2026

Investor Circle returns July 15 with a fireside chat featuring Sejung Yun of Colopl Next, on how Canadian deal terms compare against North America and Europe.

Sejung leads much of Colopl Next's investment activity across both regions. Before joining Colopl, he was an operator who raised more than $40 million in capital. He has pitched, negotiated, and built investor relationships from the founder's seat, and now he evaluates them from the investor's. That dual view is rare, and it's what makes this conversation worth showing up for.

The conversation will be led by Michael Macaulay, Founding Partner of Lawson Lundell's Kelowna office and a leading advisor on venture financings, M&A, and technology transactions. Together, they'll dig into deal structures, valuation dynamics, and what experienced investors are looking for right now.

๐Ÿ“Accelerate Okanagan
๐Ÿ—“๏ธ July 15 | 4 to 6 PM

Save your seat >> https://hubs.la/Q04m-2dW0

Free for AO Investor Members. $25 for everyone else. Investor Membership is $350 a year and gets you into this, private pitch nights, and investor-only networking.

Congratulations to ETSI-BC on twenty years. ๐Ÿฅ‚For two decades, ETSI-BC has shown up for the Southern Interior, backing th...
06/29/2026

Congratulations to ETSI-BC on twenty years. ๐Ÿฅ‚

For two decades, ETSI-BC has shown up for the Southern Interior, backing the communities, the people, and the founders building something here. That kind of steady, genuine support is what makes this region what it is.

Thuy was lucky enough to be in the room to celebrate, and we are grateful to Laurel Douglas and the team for the invite.

Here's to everything you do for this community, and to the next twenty.

Address

201-460 Doyle Avenue
Kelowna, BC
V1Y0C2

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

250.870.9028

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