Discovery Foundation announces the 2025 Technology Education Programs

VANCOUVER, BC (February 27, 2025)– The Discovery Foundation is pleased to announce the selected agents for its 2025 Technology Education Program (TEP), with twelve innovative organizations chosen to deliver high-impact educational initiatives across British Columbia's technology sector.

"I am excited about the potential impact these programs will have to foster a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive tech sector in British Columbia. The Agents that will deliver our programs were selected in a highly competitive process and were able to demonstrate their ability to successfully deliver programs that provide education and mentorship to tech and tech enabled entrepreneurs at all stages of their business development journey.” said Dr. David Harper, CEO of Discovery Foundation.

The TEP funding prioritizes programs that demonstrate a clear commitment to serving equity-deserving groups, support innovation in Health Tech and Green Tech sectors, and build economic capacity across BC with expanded geographic reach.

“We are deeply grateful for the Discovery Foundation’s ongoing support and look forward to another year of inspiring and preparing young people with lifelong skills and the mindset to succeed in a global (and unpredictable) economy.” said Delreen Motiwalla, Vice President Development at JA British Columbia.

“The Discovery Foundation's support enables us to tackle a critical gap in BC's tech ecosystem by demystifying funding pathways for founders who need it most.” said Melanie Ewan, Managing Partner and Director of Operations at Volition.

"The Discovery Foundation’s visionary support, combined with Build a Biz Kids' innovative programming and delivery systems, ensures that youth across BC—no matter where they live—will have access to progressive learning, resources, and support. Together, we are making geography irrelevant so that location is no longer a limitation to a child’s future success." said Leah Coss, CEO and Co-Founder at Build a Biz Kids.

Selected agents and their programs include:

● Build a Biz Kids–The Discovery Foundation's Future Leaders Initiative equipping youth aged 9-14 from remote and rural communities with digital and entrepreneurial skills.

● Central Interior Business Accelerator Society–The Discovery Foundation's AI Skills Accelerator providing opportunities to engage with AI tools in educational and business applications.

● Indigenous Tech Circle–The Discovery Foundation's Indigenous Tech Founders Program offering culturally tailored mentorship and industry connections.

● JA British Columbia–Discover Your Pitch Program enhancing entrepreneurship skills through pitch workshops and competitions.

● Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST)–Discovery Foundation’s Acceleration Initiative for KAST's Kootenay Venture Network connecting purpose-driven investors with entrepreneurs.

● New Ventures BC–The Discovery Foundation's BitSavers Program addressing critical growth challenges for technology companies experiencing stalled growth

● SFU VentureLabs–The Discovery Foundation's Business Development Boot Camp for Health Sciences Ventures focusing on strategic alliances and business development skills.

● Sky Pilots–The Discovery Foundation's High-Performance Leadership Program equipping senior executives with communication and team-building skills.

● Synergy Foundation–Project Zero Incubator powered by Discovery Foundation, supporting early startups developing circular economy solutions.

● Volition–The Discovery Foundation's Capital Connect Program providing funding strategy development for BC-based tech companies and women entrepreneurs.

● WeBC – The Discovery Foundation's Digital Strategic Leadership Program supporting women entrepreneurs implementing technology solutions.

● Women in Communications & Technology (WCT)–The Discovery Foundation's Speed Mentoring Program providing accessible mentoring opportunities for women in tech.

The annual competitive selection process has received applications from 63 organizations across the province, with a diverse mix of continuing, returning, and new agents selected to maximize impact across the technology sector. Since 2010, the Discovery Foundation has invested nearly $4.6M to foster the development and sustainability of the science and technology sector throughout BC, providing over 8,000 education and mentoring sessions and events, impacting nearly 44,000 British Columbian entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those located in regional/rural areas, women in tech, and Indigenous entrepreneurs.

About the Discovery Foundation

A registered charity, the Discovery Foundation has been a committed champion and enabler of the science and technology sector in BC since its formation in 1979. Its principal activity is the delivery of the Technology Education Program via agents that provide education and guidance to entrepreneurs in BC.

For more information, visitwww.discoveryfoundation.ca

Dr. David Harper President and Chief Executive Officer, Discovery Foundation

david@discoveryfoundation.ca