Kelowna and Okanagan Tech - Beginner's Tech Guide

First things first, there is a very active Kelowna tech community on Slack of over 2K people. The first thing you should do is join. Fire me off a message using the contact form at the bottom of the page and I'll send you an invite :) 

The tech industry in the Okanagan has a billion dollar impact for the region, behind only the winery industry in economic value added. This information is based on my experience moving to Kelowna and being part of the tech industry since 2011. This is the information that would have made my life easier when landing in Kelowna.

 
 
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Accelerate Okanagan 

This is the mother ship of the Kelowna tech scene. Contact them and arrange a meeting to get a lay of the land. I don't usually enjoy email lists but this is one you want to sign up for. Also if you're looking for a tech job in the region, their job board is the first place to start > https://www.accelerateokanagan.com/community/job-board/ . Their Facebook page is a great way to keep up to date on their community events. 

 
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Okanagan CoLab

This is where I worked out of for many years. It's a coworking space that is primarily focused on tech. Since coming to Kelowna, this is where I've met most of my network from. Check out their FB page for lots of local events. 

 
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Okanagan Centre for Innovation

The new tech building in Kelowna. This is a big deal for the city. This is where a lot of the big tech fish swim. Large tech startups and some coworking spaces means there's a lot of tech activity going on. Accelerate Okanagan is located on the second floor.  Large tenants: Bannnatag, FreshGrade, Accelerate Okanagan. Check out the view from the rooftop!

 

Online Tech Communities

Kelowna Tech on Slack

There is a very active Kelowna tech community on Slack of over 2K people. Please contact me using form below and I'll send you an invite :) 

Okanagan Tech on Facebook 

This group facilitates a network of tech entrepreneurs and professionals on or from the Okanagan to generate business opportunities. News, events + #okgntech https://www.facebook.com/okanagantech/

Okanagan Entrepreneurs on Meetup 

Are you a self-employed business owner running a one-person show? Are you a creative professional looking to to network with others who are running their own business in or from the Central Okanagan? As solopreneurs one of the challenges we face is that of working alone. Join a group of like-minded professionals to network, share contacts and contractors, collaborate on projects, or get feedback on business ideas, creative projects, or other initiatives. Join the 1,2K plus entrepreneurs for events in Kelowna. https://www.meetup.com/OKentrepreneurs/

Digital Okanagan on Meetup

This used to be a really active Meetup group but has died down a bit over the years. It still has the largest amount of members with over 1K members. https://www.meetup.com/DigitalOkanagan/

Main Tech Events

Okanagan Tech Jobs

  • AO job board

  • Kelowna Tech Slack (contact for invite). Job channel

Below is a very good directory or resources from Jeff Keen, who was the first person I met regarding technology when I moved to Kelowna.

Other Community Groups:

Larger tech Companies (former startups / still startups?) in Kelowna.

In no particular order as of yet: 

  • Club Penguin / Disney Interactive

  • Curatio

  • FreshGrade

  • Bananatag

  • ProSmart

  • Get In The Loop

  • Strawhouse Labs

  • Data Nerds

  • Volinspire / Do Some Good

  • Refresh Financial

  • Two Hat Security

  • WTFast

  • StreetText

Kelowna Marketing Agencies

Startups

Digital Marketing Agencies

Event Management

Branding and Design

Video and Photo

Animation Studios

  • Bardel

  • Yeti Farm Creative

Game Studios

Hosting / Servers etc.

Non Profits / Community

Business Groups

Arts & Culture

  • Artsco

Web Dev - Smaller Shops

Meeting People in Kelowna

Little bit of a different avenue then Tech but the one thing I wish I would have done earlier when landing in Kelowna is signing up for Urban Rec's All Sport League. You play a different sport every week with your team but more importantly, it's a great way to meet people and grab a drink afterwards. 

New to Kelowna? I'm always up for a coffee, you can reach me on the social medias or below! 

Made with love in Canada

Robert Dawson - The Google Ads Guy #RoboRob
#201, 1405 St. Paul Street, Kelowna, BC, Canada V1Y 2E4
Proud member of the coLab

250-826-0102
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