BC Tech Association

What BC Tech Association does

BC Tech Association is a member-led, non-profit technology industry association headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, with operations extending across Western Canada. Founded in 1993, the organization is the largest member-led technology non-profit in the province and positions its mission as making British Columbia the best place to grow and scale a technology company. It operates as a fully virtual team with a staff count reported in the 11-50 range, governed by a Board of Directors currently led by CEO Jill Tipping.

The association generates revenue from three primary streams: recurring membership dues for tech companies organized into multiple classes, program fees from specialized accelerators (including Scaleup Academy, Dragons 1 on 1 Mentorship, the Indigenous-led Tech Company Accelerator with TELUS, the Scaleup IP Accelerator, the BC Tech AI Vertical Accelerator, and the #WhatWorks Market Access program), and event revenue from the annual Technology Impact Awards (TIAs), Dragon's Den Pitch Nights, Scaleup Academy Webinars, and C-Council programming. Distribution is direct through its website, event registration, and member C-Councils organized by executive function.

BC Tech does not develop proprietary technology products. Its core 'product' surface comprises member services — peer councils segmented by role (CEO, CTO, CMO, CHRO), talent programs including an immigration referral program and reskilling initiatives, advocacy output, and ecosystem research such as the State of the BC Tech Nation report and the BC TechMap. Member companies span early-stage startups through anchor enterprises, with named member-company outcomes including Clio ($900M Deal of the Year at the 2025 TIAs), Jane Software (~$1.8B secondary valuation), Svante Technologies, Global Relay, Dorigo Systems, and Novarc Technologies, demonstrating breadth across legal tech, healthcare, carbon capture, communications governance, electronics manufacturing, and welding automation.

Name

BC Tech Association

Legal name

BCTech Association

Website

https://wearebctech.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BC Tech Association is a Vancouver-based non-profit technology industry association that supports British Columbia tech companies through membership programs, peer councils, accelerator initiatives, flagship events, talent programs, and advocacy. It serves BC startups, scaleups, anchor firms, and Indigenous-led technology businesses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Inclusion & Civic Tech (Connectivity, GovTech for Social Good) (BPAGALAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

Keywords

• Tech industry association
• Membership network
• Tech ecosystem programs
• Policy advocacy
• Industry events

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: BC Tech generates revenue through membership fees from tech companies in British Columbia. The association offers different classes of membership with specific eligibility requirements and fee requirements.
2. Event Revenue: Revenue generated from hosting events including Technology Impact Awards (TIAs), Dragon's Den Pitch Nights, Scaleup Academy Webinars, and other community events.
3. Program Fees: Fees from specialized programs including Scaleup Academy, Dragons 1 on 1 Mentorship, Indigenous-led Tech Company Accelerator, Scaleup IP Accelerator, BC Tech AI Vertical Accelerator, and #WhatWorks Market Access program.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

BC Tech Association operates as a member-supported industry association for the technology sector in British Columbia. It offers membership tiers, industry programs, advocacy, networking events, talent initiatives, and research/reporting services for tech companies and the broader BC tech ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Technology Impact Awards (TIAs): Annual awards program celebrating outstanding innovation and leadership in British Columbia's tech sector
• ScaleUp Academy
• C-Councils
• BC TechMap
• #WhatWorks

Products and services

• Tech Industry Membership
• Industry Events and Programs
• Policy and Advocacy Services
• Tech Sector Research and Reports

Quantifiable outcome

• The 2025 TIAs highlighted over $3 billion in notable deals
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• University of British Columbia (UBC) Sauder School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 February 2025Clio, a BC Tech member, pledged $3 million to UBC Sauder's Powerhouse Project to support entrepreneurship and innovation. The donation will fund a collaborative space including the Creative Destruction Lab – Vancouver accelerator for science and tech startups.
• TELUScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 March 2023BC Tech and TELUS partnered to launch an accelerator program for Indigenous-led tech companies. This strategic initiative supports Indigenous tech founders in scaling their businesses through mentorship, resources, and community building. The partnership was announced in March 2023.
• SAPcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSAP sponsors the #WhatWorks Talent Series, an educational event series focused on building stronger companies in BC by addressing talent challenges. The partnership provides resources and expertise for tech companies on diversity & inclusion, indigenous talent pathways, and team composition.
• Novo NordiskcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Aspect Biosystems to leverage proprietary bioprinting technology and Novo Nordisk's expertise in stem cell differentiation and cell therapy development and manufacturing.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Communitech: Canadian technology innovation hub based in Waterloo, Ontario that supports startups and scaleups through programs, events, and ecosystem building. Closely comparable non-profit/regional tech association model serving a different Canadian geography.
• MaRS Discovery District: Toronto-based innovation hub supporting high-impact Canadian tech ventures through programs, capital access, and corporate partnerships. Comparable as a Canadian non-profit ecosystem builder focused on scaling ventures.
• Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance (CATA): National Canadian technology trade association advocating for the tech industry, providing member services, awards, and policy advocacy. Directly comparable membership-based industry association model across Canada.
• Toronto Region Board of Trade: Toronto-based business membership organization offering programs, policy advocacy, and networking for the regional business community. Comparable membership-driven regional business association structure serving tech and adjacent sectors.
• Technology Association of Georgia (TAG): US regional technology industry association serving Georgia's tech ecosystem through programs, events, awards, and advocacy. Closely comparable member-led regional tech association model operating in a different geography.
• Innovate BC: Provincial crown agency supporting BC's innovation economy through programs, funding, and ecosystem partnerships. Direct regional peer operating in the same BC geography with overlapping tech ecosystem mandate.

Broad incumbents

• Silicon Valley Leadership Group: California-based business association representing major employers including tech companies, focused on policy advocacy and regional competitiveness. Broader incumbent operating across multiple industries but with significant tech focus.
• CompTIA: International non-profit trade association for the global IT industry, providing certifications, member programs, advocacy, and industry research. Comparable membership-based tech industry association model at much larger scale.
• Consumer Technology Association (CTA): US-based trade association representing the consumer technology industry, producing CES and industry standards. Comparable industry-association model producing flagship events and serving a tech membership base.
• CCIA (Computer & Communications Industry Association): International non-profit trade association representing leading tech and communications companies through policy advocacy. Comparable industry association structure focused on advocacy and member services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@wearebctech/featured
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bctech
• Xx.com/wearebctech
• Facebookfacebook.com/wearebctech

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BC Tech Association