February is shaping up to be a great month for business events in BC. This is our selection of the best free and low cost events for anyone thinking of starting their own business or who has recently done so.
We also recommend visiting smallbusinessbc.ca and reviewing their full event calendar and seminar line up.
Please note details are accurate at time of publication, all summaries have been reproduced from host descriptions.
Rock my Business Plan - workshop series
Host: Futurepreneur Canada
Target audience: Aspiring business owners aged 18-39 who have recently launched a business or could be ready within the next few months
Location: 5 & 6 February - Langley; 12 & 19 February - Quesnel; 13 & 20 February - Prince George
Cost: Free
Register
Summary: Join the next wave of entrepreneurs from your local area at the free Rock My Business Plan workshop series! Learn the steps to get your business plan started, confidently talk about your business idea and connect you to a cohort of like-minded entrepreneurs.
How to Apply for a Business Loan with Women’s Enterprise Centre
Host: Women’s Enterprise Centre
Target audience: Female entrepreneurs
Date: 5 & 19 February 2019
Time: 12.00 – 1.00pm
Location: Phone in session
Cost: Free
Register
Summary: Learn how to apply for a loan from Women’s Enterprise Centre. In this FREE session, the facilitator will review our lending criteria, answer your questions, advise you on how to apply and provide you with a resource package. At the end of the session, your Advisor will work with you to determine if you are eligible for a loan with us and ensure that you receive an application.
Me Inc. Workshops
Host: Basin Business Advisors Program
Target audience: Anyone can attend
Dates & Locations: 5 February - Trail & Invermere; 12 February - Revelstoke; 26 February - Cranbrook
Time: Various
Cost: Free
Register
Summary: Have you ever wondered about becoming an entrepreneur? Taking your training or skills to a new level and running your own show? Launching a start-up? Maybe buying a business and running it? The Me Inc. workshop is designed to answer your questions. In just 2 hours we will review critical decision points for making the transition, support resources and other details.
Vancouver Small Business Information Expo
Host: Office of Small and Medium Enterprises - Pacific Region
Target audience: Anyone can attend
Date: 6 February 2019
Time: 8.30 am - 3.30pm
Location: Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, Vancouver
Cost: Free
Register
Summary: The 2019 Vancouver SBIE will feature face-to-face opportunities to interact with experts from over 50 support programs who provide valuable resources to small businesses.
Starting a Business Information Session
Host: Women’s Enterprise Centre
Target audience: Female entrepreneurs
Date: 7 & 21 February 2019
Time: 12.00 – 1.00pm
Location: Phone in session
Cost: Free
Register
Summary: Free phone-in for those thinking of starting a business.The session is broken into 2 parts. In Part 1, we explain how to write an effective business plan. We cover each section of the business plan and provide strategies and resources to ensure your plan is well organized and consistent. In Part 2 we uncover how to make your business official.
Startup Basics: Social Media for Startups
Host: Kamloops Innovation
Target audience: Anyone can attend
Date: 12 February 2019
Time: 5.00 - 6.00pm
Location: Kamloops
Cost: Free
Register
Summary: Getting the word out about your company to potential customers can be difficult and costly when you’re first starting your business. While the services are technically free, social media can be confusing, time-consuming and difficult to manage. In this workshop, you will identify which social media platforms work for you and your business, and best practices for each.
TANDEM x VANTEC Monthly Financials for Startups
Host: Tandem Innovation Group (in partnership with VANTECH and SFU Venture Labs)
Target audience: Entrepreneurs that have started their business, have a scalable business model and are looking to raise capital
Date: 13 February 2019
Time: 3.00 - 5.00pm
Location: Vancouver
Cost: $15 - $25
Register
Summary: TANDEM is excited to team up with VANTEC and SFU Venture Labs to help entrepreneurs raising capital get their back-of-house investor ready. These monthly sessions will be led by Tandem Advisors that will guide each participant to be Deal Room ready.
Funding & Support for Startups (Tech Companies)
Host: Accelerate Okanagan
Target audience: Anyone can attend
Date: 20 February 2019
Time: 8.30 - 9.30am
Location: Kelowna
Cost: Free
Register
Summary: There are many funding and support programs and initiatives in Canada that can help startup entrepreneurs and small and medium businesses. Join AO's Community Manager Alex Reid for this one-hour informative session, where she will discuss the programs most relevant to technology companies.
Startup Basics: Lessons Learned
Host: Kamloops Innovation
Target audience: Anyone can attend
Date: 26 February 2019
Time: 5.00 - 6.00pm
Location: Kamloops
Cost: Free
Register
Summary: Learn from those who have come before you. Join us for a candid talk with a panel of diverse entrepreneurs and startup owners as they share tips and tricks, struggles and highlights of starting and growing a company in Kamloops.
Start Smart Series
Host: Small Business BC
Target audience: Anyone can attend
Date: 20 February 2019
Time: 9.00am - 4.00pm
Location: Online webinar or Small Business BC Office Vancouver
Cost: $49+ GST
Register
Summary: The Start Smart Series provides a step-by-step guide to starting your business right. This series includes two seminars where five industry experts provide their knowledge and tips to help you start your business smart. Learning Objectives: learn what resources will help you get started; understand the registration process; know what business structure to use and the guidelines of protecting your business.
Entrepreneurship Basics Workshop: Customer Discovery & Presentation Skills
Host: Entrepreneurship@UBCO
Target audience: UBC Okanagan Students
Date: 12 February 2019
Time: 5.00 - 7.00pm
Location: Kelowna
Cost: Free
Register
Summary: This workshop will explain how to figure out who your customer is, how to ask your customer what the problem is that needs solving and then how to align your innovation around that problem. Once you have a handle on the customers’ pain points you can create new products from your innovation that no competitor has ever thought off. From there you can develop a well thought out business model that includes realistic financial projections, a sound risk management strategy and attractive investor pitch to bring in capital to grow your business.
Digital Marketing Social Breakfast Vancouver
Host: Hootsuite
Target audience: Anyone can attend
Date: 26 February 2019
Time: 8.00am - 11.15am
Location: Van City Theatre
Cost: Free
Register
Summary: In this data-packed session, you'll hear from Hootsuite experts as we present the findings of our global study of 230 countries and territories internet, social, mobile, and e-commerce consumer behaviors. Plus, you'll also get strategy guidance from Simon Kemp, a world-recognized expert on digital. Simon's current and past clients include Unilever, Coca-Cola, Google, Nestlé, and Diageo. He'll share what the world's most valuable brands are focusing on and give an insider tour of the future forces changing how brands and consumers connect on digital.
Innovator Meetup
Host: Entrepreneurship@UBC
Target audience: UBC Students interested in entrepreneurship or involved in a startup
Date: 28 February 2019
Time: 5.00 - 7.00pm
Location: UBC Vancouver Campus
Cost: Free
Register
Summary: Join us for a casual night of socializing and idea-sharing at our next Innovator Meetup! This meetup will give you a chance to socialize with other innovators, discuss your startup or idea, get support from peers at UBC and learn from experts in the field.