Accelerate Okanagan

06/15/2026

This year, the Okanagan Angel Summit added something new: the inaugural Investor and Founder Forum.

Over 100 founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders gathered at the Kelowna Innovation Centre for a full day of candid conversations on raising capital, scaling companies, and early-stage investing. Sessions were led by Ben Yoskovitz, Jason Richards, Russ Davis, and Camille Saltman, with Justin Goodhew as MC.

The goal was to create space for the kinds of conversations that don't fit inside a pitch. It delivered. People left inspired to keep building and backing the companies that matter.

See more highlights from the day >> https://hubs.la/Q04ls9Xl0

06/11/2026

The 2026 Okanagan Angel Summit wrapped with a record $407,000 invested across three Canadian startups, the largest single-night investment in the Summit's eight-year history.

Here's a look at the full day in photos, from the Knox Mountain hike and inaugural Investor and Founder Forum to the Finale stage at Metro Hub.

A huge thank you to our presenting sponsor, ATB Wealth, and to every sponsor, mentor, and investor who showed up for this community. We'll see you next year.

👉 See the highlights: https://hubs.la/Q04k-3F60

06/10/2026

🌾 Level Up Local is back for 2026, and applications are now open.

The Level Up Local Tech Grant provides up to $3,000 in funding to help businesses adopt or upgrade technology that drives growth and improves efficiency. For 2026, the program is placing a special focus on supporting agriculture, agri-food, agritech, and agribusinesses across the Okanagan.

Whether you're refreshing your website, implementing new AI tools, improving e-commerce capabilities, or investing in digital marketing, this program can help make that next step more accessible.

Delivered in partnership with Prospera, the program will also provide successful applicants with advisory support from the teams at Accelerate Okanagan and Prospera

Ready to level up your business?

Learn more >> https://hubs.la/Q04kWRGR0

Accelerate Okanagan is offering $3,000 technology grants for small businesses across the Okanagan Valley. Applications are now open.

06/09/2026

The night before the Finale, founders, investors, and partners gathered at O'Rourke Family Estate for a special VIP gathering presented by Lawson Lundell LLP

Good atmosphere, good people, and a lot to celebrate. 🥂

Thank you to Lawson Lundell LLP for making this evening possible, and to O'Rourke Family Estate for welcoming us into one of the most beautiful venues in the Okanagan.

06/05/2026

The investors have spoken, and the results are in...

After eight weeks of pitch training, due diligence, and some genuinely tough deliberation, we are thrilled to announce the investment winners of the 8th annual Okanagan Angel Summit Finale.

Three companies secured investment on the night: shuriii took home $188,000; Bullfinch Earth secured $120,000 from the fund plus an additional $25,000 personal contribution from keynote speaker Ben Yoskovitz, for a total of $145,000; and Drawbridge received $74,000. A record $407,000 invested in a single night.

Huge congratulations to all five finalists who took the stage at Metro Hub on June 4: shuriii, Bullfinch Earth, Thermaspire Technologies, Lyrata, and Drawbridge. This was one of the most competitive cohorts in Summit history, and every founder on that stage earned their place there.

This year marked several milestones for the program: a new venue, Canada-wide applications for the first time, and a new investment model that allowed investors to back more than one company and add capital to the fund on Finale night. The result was a record total investment and a night this community will not forget.

Read the full recap at the link below.

https://hubs.la/Q04kjN650

06/01/2026

This Thursday. 5 founders. One final pitch for investment. 🏔️

The 8th annual Okanagan Angel Summit Finale, presented by ATB Wealth, is almost here, and it’s going to be one for the books.

Grab your tickets before they’re gone. Link in bio

05/29/2026

Startup Drinks at at Minga did not disappoint 🍻

Good people, great conversations, and all the energy that makes the Okanagan tech community worth showing up for. Big thanks to the Minga team for having us, it was the perfect spot.

Were you there? Head to the link in bio to grab your photos from the night.

Next up: we’re taking it to the rooftop. 👀 Stay tuned.

05/28/2026

Renée Warren: In a Flash 📸

As Founder of The Pink Skirt Project, Renée Warren is building a community that helps ambitious women create businesses aligned with the lives they actually want.

Blending experience across tech, storytelling, and entrepreneurship, Renée is creating space for bold conversations, meaningful connections, and unapologetic growth. In this In a Flash feature, she shares how she is building an international community rooted in confidence, creativity, and ambition.

🎬 Watch more videos and follow on Instagram >> https://hubs.la/Q04hSYDp0
📰 Read Renée’s full Q&A >> https://hubs.la/Q04hSZQc0

05/28/2026

One week to go until the Okanagan Angel Summit Finale!

Over the past several weeks, this year’s Summit has brought together founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders through pitches, conversations, and moments of connection that continue to build momentum.

Join us on June 4 for the 8th annual Okanagan Angel Summit Finale presented by ATB Wealth, where the Top 5 finalists will pitch live for a chance at this year’s $220,000+ fund. The event will also feature a keynote from Ben Yoskovitz, Founding Partner of Highline Beta and co-author of Lean Analytics.

Be in the room as the Top 5 take the stage and this year’s $220,000+ investment decisions unfold live.

Tickets >> https://hubs.la/Q04jf3xw0

05/26/2026

Your IP is one of your most valuable business assets. Do you have a strategy to protect it?

Join us June 8th at Accelerate Okanagan for a practical, founder-focused session on patents, trademarks, and commercialization with experts Richard Okimaw and Paul Matthews of Lawson Lundell LLP.

The AO team will also be on hand to walk through the latest AccelerateIP and IPAssist funding opportunities.

Interactive discussion, real answers, and tacos after. Spots are limited.

🔗 Register now >> https://hubs.la/Q04hX3TG0

Join us for Accelerating Your IP Strategy, a practical session on protecting your ideas and accessing funding to grow your business.