Good afternoon! Why are we emailing you on Wednesday? Because the year is almost over, and we’d like to take a minute to highlight 21 of our favourite stories from 2021.

They include the woman working to build tech products that reflect the diversity of our communities; the world’s first bitcoin ATM; the startup trying to make gaming inclusive; and the leader empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs and small businesses. (And to be honest, we wish this email was even longer; but we knew you wouldn’t, so we’ve kept it at a tidy 953 words.)

If you’ve read all of these stories already, thank you for being such a loyal reader. If you haven’t, we think there’s a good chance you’ll discover your new favourite. Either way, today and all year, our goal has been to leave you feeling better-connected to the amazing people and communities building BC’s tech community. We think the following stories help achieve that. We hope you do, too. Enjoy!

- William and James

23 Vancouver tech and business power players to know

Meet the people with power and influence who are using their positions to make a positive impact. » Start reading.

Light AI trial a culmination of many passions for Peter Whitehead

The Western Hockey League is the latest organization to benefit from Whitehead’s curiosity and drive. » Start reading.

"I've been obsessed with improving healthcare since day one of being in it." — Dr. Sam Gharbi on riding the healthtech rollercoaster from med school to Arya Health

His company is a culmination of a decade spent asking "how can I make this better?" » Start reading.

Meet the people making waves in BC’s aquatech space

We all have lessons to learn from the innovators who make World Oceans Day every day. » Start reading.

Cassandra Hui is building the Netflix of clinical trials

We chat with the healthtech entrepreneur to learn more about how Heal Mary is empowering patients to better understand their diagnoses. » Start reading.

A message from Acetech*:

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For 30 years Acetech has helped CEOs of technology companies become better leaders through peer roundtables, executive training, and an annual Leadership Summit.

If your company is a Client of NRC-IRAP you can contact your Industrial Technology Advisor to see if you qualify for support for your Associate Membership. We recommend that your company have a minimum of $2M in revenue and/or funding and 10 FTEs. 

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After 21 years, Angie Schick is ready for her close-up

The head of the New Ventures BC Competition reflects on more than two decades fueling BC entrepreneurial success. » Start reading.

In work and life, Ilya Brotzky follows opportunity — wherever it takes him

The VanHack CEO reflects on how he grew a community of 250,000 tech workers — and a thriving bootstrapped business. » Start reading.

“To me, average, or normal is just code for privilege.” — Sabrina Meherally wants to diversify your tech

Her consultancy, Pause and Effect, goes beyond HR to embed diversity, equity and inclusion into innovation. » Start reading.

Everything’s coming up Jack

Jack Newton, the co-founder and CEO of the world’s first legaltech unicorn, reflects on a monster year. » Start reading.

A professional hockey career took Kenndal McArdle from Vancouver to Västerås. Venture capital brought him back.

The Pender Ventures principal on his passion for finance, life and hockey in Sweden, plus what the future holds for venture capital in Western Canada. » Start reading.

8 years ago the world’s first Bitcoin ATM launched in a downtown Vancouver coffee shop. Here’s the inside story of how it happened.

We chatted with Mitchell Demeter, now president of Netcoins, about how he brought the ATM to Vancouver. » Start reading.

Meet Paidia, the company making gaming inclusive

The newly-launched platform provides a place where women gamers and allies can play, create content and build community. » Start reading.

How Tobyn Sowden grew Redbrick into one of BC’s fastest-growing companies

Inside the Victoria company's acquisition strategy and journey to $80 million in annual revenue. » Start reading.

Laurie Schultz paints her Picasso

Architect behind $1B Galvanize exit and BC Tech Person of the Year sets her sights on what’s next. » Start reading.

Inside Vancouver's great tech evolution

An in-depth look at the history and promise of Vancouver’s tech ecosystem. » Start reading.

Like it or not, Web3 is coming, and Vancouver is at the centre of it

Scratching the surface on how Vancouver tech leaders (and investors) are paving the way for the decentralized web. » Start reading.

Opinion: Childcare is infrastructure

BC Tech CEO Jill Tipping believes investments in childcare have the potential to unlock economic growth while increasing the diversity of the tech sector's talent pool. » Start reading.

Meet Rivian, the $80B EV maker with offices in Yaletown

Tesla’s biggest competitor is building in BC. Here’s what you need to know about them. » Start reading.

Tamara Grominsky and the future of Unbounce

Inside her relentless mission to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs and small businesses. » Start reading.

Nejeed Kassam navigates his most important role yet: father

In a year when the world was upended and his entire customer base was on the brink of disaster, Kassam's company thrived and he started a family. Here's how he's managing it all. » Start reading.

How Joseph Nakhla built a foundation for growth

The CEO of Tribe Property Technologies on the power of community, digital transformation and navigating the Cold Front of entrepreneurship. » Start reading.

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