FAQ
Who is BCIC?
The British Columbia Innovation Council (BCIC) is the lead organization driving the conditions for top tier innovation and commercialization within our province by working with industry partners, academic institutions and all levels of government.
What are B.C.'s strengths as an innovation economy?
B.C. has a multitude of strengths. We have world renowned research institutions, leading scientists and researchers and a strong array of experienced technology entrepreneurs who are working to reap the commercial benefits of discoveries made in B.C. We have a solid foundation on which to build our future innovation economy and our geographic proximity to international markets is an advantage.
How can the conditions for top-tier innovation and commercialization be created?
Creating the right conditions for top-tier innovation and commercialization is a process that spans the innovation continuum and involves strategic partnerships with academia, industry and government. We recognize the need to support the development of world-class research and identify ways to support sector development, but it can't end there. We are seeking to ensure that research is transferred out of the lab and into the industry, ensuring social and economic benefits are afforded to British Columbians. We are also encouraging young innovators to pursue careers in research, technology and innovation to secure a highly qualified workforce for tomorrow. By building on our established strengths, we will uncover new opportunities for advancing B.C.'s position as a world-class centre for innovation.
What are the origins of BCIC?
BCIC was publicly launched in October 2004 as a result of an announced merger by the Province of British Columbia between the Innovation and Science Council of BC and the BC Advanced Systems Institute, two prominent technology organizations with an established history of developing the province's research and innovation sector.
The Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia, set a goal to establish B.C. as a global top-ten technology centre by 2010. How is BCIC assisting in realizing this goal?
As the sole Crown agency responsible for innovation and commercialization, BCIC has an important role to play in bringing the right partners together to realize this goal. BCIC recognizes that the next two years will be an important period in the history of the Council. Now more than ever before, BCIC must bring its partners and stakeholders together to address this challenge. BCIC programs and initiatives seek to capitalize on our strengths by proactively ensuring that industry and academia are brought together to invest in the future and expand our knowledge economy.
BCIC has a province-wide mandate. How can it make an impact across the province?
BCIC fosters innovation throughout B.C. by supporting regionally-based programs and associations. An important vehicle for working within the regions has been through the nine regional councils of the BC Regional Science and Technology Network (BCRSTN). Serving their communities as independent organizations registered under the Societies Act of B.C., these nine councils work with BCIC to share information and implement programs across the province.
B.C. is home to a wide array of well established technology sectors. How can we ensure continued growth and the emergence of new sectors?
BCIC is positioning the province to succeed in an increasingly global marketplace by supporting key innovation sectors. For example, BCIC supports working groups that oversee ocean technology development in areas such as deep ocean science and remote sensing, maritime and port security, renewable ocean energy systems, aquaculture science and offshore oil and gas. BCIC is a catalyst driving strategic support for B.C. by stimulating growth in new and existing technology sectors.
How can BCIC work within the context of the increasingly competitive global innovation economy?
BCIC works with B.C.'s researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs to support an innovation economy that prospers. The creation of the Office of International Partnerships by BCIC highlights the importance our province places on establishing relationships with key international partners. To maximize B.C.'s impact in the global marketplace, the Office of International Partnerships develops partnerships with key international science and technology agencies and plans joint projects that will assist companies from participating countries to commercialize their products and services internationally.
What types of programs does BCIC oversee?
BCIC funds and oversees a range of programs that support and encourage established and emerging innovators. From scholarships and fellowships to funding of research and development, BCIC understands that the future of innovation depends on building a strong foundation today.
BCIC hosts the province’s most prestigious Awards event for research, innovation and technology. What makes this annual event such an important success?
The annual British Columbia Innovation Council Awards allow us to set even higher goals to make B.C. a strong and diverse province. This in turn encourages the growth of B.C.'s future innovators. Our past and present award winners demonstrate that British Columbians are capable of great things and the celebration of our success stories as a province is an important tradition.
BCIC encourages young innovators through a variety of initiatives. Why is it important to do so?
The future of research, technology and innovation in B.C. depends on our talented youth. By encouraging and motivating our young scientists, we are ensuring B.C.'s place as a global innovation leader. Therefore, BCIC has established programs and initiatives to ensure students are inspired to realize their goals in B.C..
