Vancouver company UrbanLogiq chosen for prestigious B.C. government STIR program

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      B.C. companies create a lot of great products. But for many, recognition and visibility is hard to come by.

      Last year, the provincial government created a program that allows tech companies to integrate their products with British Columbia’s services. Named B.C.’s Startup in Residence, or STIR for short, the initiative allows chosen startups to co-develop, test, and launch solutions to real-world public-sector challenges.

      The organizers of STIR believe that the best way to create innovation is to begin with a defined challenge, and ask the community to develop a cutting-edge solution. Companies chosen for the program work with government professionals over 16 weeks to develop and trial a product. At that point, the government has the option to enter into an ongoing contract for further development, access, or maintenance of the solution, or part ways with the company.

      This year, the three successful businesses proposed ways to improve relations between the B.C. government and First Nations communities, and to better the way that the province advertises its development grants.

      The first winner, Kinsol Research Inc. from Victoria, will join the Environmental Assessment Office to develop a way for proponents, stakeholders, and First Nations to quickly and accurately identify topics from public feedback. The solution, they hope, will aid the environmental assessment process.

      Next, UrbanLogiq Software Inc. from Vancouver will join the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation to help streamline its analysis of Crown land parcels to determine whether or not they should be included in negotiations with First Nations.

      The third winner, Orpheus Key from Victoria, will join the Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology to help people looking for economic development-related grants and funding find accurate, up-to-date opportunities.

      “B.C.’s tech sector has the entrepreneurial spirit and expertise to improve services people count on by developing solutions with government in a quick, collaborative manner,” said Jinny Sims, minister of citizens’ services. “We have become more innovative, agile and result-oriented, making it easier for companies of all sizes to do business with government.”

      Being accepted into the STIR program affords companies a number of benefits. As well as a $10,000 grant for their services, each business retains control of their intellectual property. All three organizations can reference the B.C. government as a client—a boon when trying to secure large contracts—and can boast experience about working with public entities. At the end of their residency, the STIR cohort has the rights to commercialize the solution.

      Follow Kate Wilson on Twitter @KateWilsonSays

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