BCBusiness

Kelowna's Tech Hub is Taking O A booming market of more than $1 billion in revenue brings thousands of jobs as this centre undergoes a transformation I t's no secret that the tech- nology sector is rapidly changing the prosperity of the Okanagan in general and Kelowna specically. Once famous solely as a mecca for wine production and summer fun, the region today is home to more than 600 tech companies that employ almost 8,000 people, which in turn generates more than $1.3 billion in annual revenue. Thanks to companies such as Disney, Telus, QHR, Stardyne and KF Aerospace, there are more people employed in the B.C. tech sector than in mining, oil, gas and forestry combined — with new companies account- ing for nearly all net new job creation in the region. It's a remarkable achieve- ment, considering only a few years ago Kelowna's landscape was substantially different. "There were a few startups ve years ago when I rst started making trips from Vancouver, and various levels of government and related organizations — such as Accelerate Okanagan — deter- mined to make the tech sector one of the largest of the provin- cial economy," recalls Michael Macaulay, partner at Lawson Lundell LLP. "The result of their hard work is astonishing." Plus, Kelowna-based compa- nies are attracting attention from outside the region with hundreds of millions of dollars injected into the community via the acquisition of numerous Okanagan compa- nies — with much of that talent being reinvested in new projects. But with the growth comes the need for support, and Lawson Lundell has recently opened a new ofce in downtown Kelowna to serve as a liaison for tech companies and to facilitate growth. As a leading Western Canadian business law rm, Lawson Lundell draws upon the expertise of its Technology Group to assist clients with their commercial law needs in all stages, including nancing, commercialization, acquisitions and exits — as well as keeping clients apprised of develop- ments concerning regulations and governing laws. Spearheaded by Macaulay — whose expertise includes corporate nance, venture capital funds, M&A and technology commercialization — the Kelowna ofce consists of: Paul Matthews, a professional engi- neer who focuses on licensing and technology commercializa- tion; Max Walker, who handles corporate legal matters and tax; and Scott Andersen, a commer- cial litigation lawyer. This year, Lawson Lundell relocated even closer to the action in Kelowna's ofcial tech hub: The Innovation Centre, a state of the art facility housing everything from two-person startups to large technology and innovation rms (Bananatag, Infuse I.T., Agility Fuel Solutions, Soil Mate, and Accelerate Okanagan and the University of B.C. Okanagan are some of the tenants). For all of its remarkable achievements, Macaulay views tech growth in the Okanagan as just beginning — and fuelled by a growing number of University of British Columbia Okanagan cam- pus graduates who want to stay in the region rather than relocate elsewhere. He says, "There's the right mix of capital, energy and will to expand further, which is under- scored by a wonderful commit- ment of both new and established tech rms to give back to the community. "It's exciting for us to contrib- ute to the early days of growth — and on a personal level we are all thrilled to live in one of the most desirable regions in Western Canada." + lawson lundell llP Created by BCBusiness in partnership with Lawson Lundell LLP Lawson Lundell LLP has recently opened a new office in downtown Kelowna. From left: Max Walker, Paul Matthews, Michael Macaulay and Scott Andersen Imga e Cour t esy Da rren Hul l

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