LOCO BC
LOCO BC is a Vancouver-based non-profit founded in 2012 that runs the #BCBuyLocal campaign, publishes research on the economic multiplier of independent businesses, and delivers free advisory services such as the Business Clinic to small businesses, BIAs, and municipal governments across British Columbia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersVancouver, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What LOCO BC does
LOCO BC is a Vancouver-based non-profit organization founded in 2012 that conducts applied research and advocacy on the economic impact of independent businesses in British Columbia. Its core activities center on the #BCBuyLocal campaign (including BC Buy Local Week and Amplify Local BC), the Business Clinic (a free expert-advisory program for small businesses launched in 2026 with Small Business Vancouver), published research reports on local economic multipliers, and a member directory plus the Support Local BC online gift card platform operated with Vancity.
The organization does not operate a proprietary technology platform; its digital infrastructure consists of a website (locobc.ca), an online business directory, and partnership-built platforms such as Support Local BC. Its research output, including quantified claims such as a 4.6x revenue recirculation multiplier for independents versus multinationals and an estimated $53B in annual consumer-spending leakage to foreign-owned multinationals in BC, is co-produced with academic and research partners (UBC Sauder, Columbia Institute, Civic Economics, CFIB, Offsetters) and forms the evidentiary backbone of its policy and advocacy work.
LOCO BC funds operations through a hybrid non-profit model: recurring membership fees from BC businesses, sponsor contributions from named partners (Vancity since 2017, Renewal Partners as founder sponsor, Buy Social Canada), and project-based contracts with municipalities and Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) such as the City of Vancouver, Downtown Vancouver BIA, and a Vancouver BIA Partnership covering 22 BIAs. Customer segments span independent SMBs (primary), BIAs, municipal governments, and BC consumers reached through the #BCBuyLocal campaign. Leadership is concentrated in founder and Executive Director Amy Robinson; total headcount is described only as a small team supplemented by contractors on an as-needed basis.
LOCO BC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- LOCO BC
- Legal name
- LOCO BC
- Website
- https://locobc.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- LOCO BC is a Vancouver-based non-profit founded in 2012 that runs the #BCBuyLocal campaign, publishes research on the economic multiplier of independent businesses, and delivers free advisory services such as the Business Clinic to small businesses, BIAs, and municipal governments across British Columbia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where LOCO BC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vancouver
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
LOCO BC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Membership fees: Revenue from membership fees for businesses and organizations joining LOCO BC to access directory listings, employer benefit packages, and community resources.
- Sponsorships and partnerships: Funding from sponsors including Vancity, Renewal Partners, Buy Social Canada, and other partners who support the #BCBuyLocal campaign and research initiatives.
- Research and consulting services: Contracts with municipalities, BIAs, and organizations for research projects measuring business impact, policy analysis, and economic studies.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Business Clinic sessions |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
LOCO BC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LOCO BC is a non-profit research and advocacy organization that promotes local, small, and independent businesses in British Columbia. It coordinates the province-wide BC Buy Local (#BCBuyLocal) campaign, conducts economic impact research on independent business activity, runs the free Business Clinic advisory program connecting small businesses to expert consultants, and operates a member directory and Community Impact Assessment tools.
Product overview
LOCO BC is a non-profit organization that operates as a research and advocacy organization rather than a traditional product company. Its core offerings include the BC Buy Local Campaign (#BCBuyLocal) - a province-wide marketing initiative featuring BC Buy Local Week and Amplify Local BC campaigns; The Business Clinic - a free advisory service connecting small businesses to expert consultants; Research Reports - published studies on local business economic impact and policy; a Local Business Directory - an online listing service; and Community Impact Assessment tools for measuring business economic contributions. The organization also provides membership benefits including directory listings and employer benefit packages.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- BC Buy Local Campaign (#BCBuyLocal) A province-wide consumer marketing campaign that showcases B.C.-owned businesses and B.C.-made products. It includes BC Buy Local Week (first week of December annually) and Amplify Local BC, featuring digital marketing, in-person events, online courses, and promotional materials for participating businesses and consumers.
- The Business Clinic A free expert advisory program connecting small businesses to experienced local professionals for help with permitting, commercial leases, architecture, legal matters, accounting, and insurance. Operated in partnership with Small Business Vancouver.
- Research Reports Published research studies on local business economic impact, buy local campaigns, online shopping trends, business costs, and policy analysis, produced to support independent businesses in B.C. and inform municipal decision-making.
- Local Business Directory An online directory listing local B.C. businesses, accessible through locobc.ca, helping consumers find local suppliers and promoting local purchasing.
- Community Impact Assessment A measurement and assessment tool used to quantify and communicate the economic impact of individual local businesses, enabling them to better tell their local economic story to consumers and stakeholders.
- Member Benefits Program Membership benefits package for participating businesses including directory listing, access to Community Impact Assessment tools, employer benefit plans, and campaign resources under the #BCBuyLocal banner.
Quantifiable outcome
- 4.6x more revenue recirculation: independent businesses recirculate up to $63 of every $100 in revenue locally vs $14 for multinationals
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use LOCO BC
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
LOCO BC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
LOCO BC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)coreLOCO worked with CFIB to assess the economic impact of BC's independent retailers. Research found that BC independent retailers recirculate 66% of their revenue within the province, 6x the economic benefit of multinationals.
- Civic EconomicscoreResearch partner for multiple studies on local business economic impact, including the 2019 Economic Impact of Local Businesses report and ongoing multiplier effect research.
- Columbia InstitutecorePartnered in 2013 to produce Canada's first research into the multiplier effect when businesses and institutions buy from local suppliers, along with companion report on tools for forward-thinking institutions.
- UBC Sauder School of Business (Centre for Social Innovation & Impact Investing)coreAcademic research partner for The Power of Purchasing study, providing research methodology and analysis for local procurement economic impact research.
- OffsettersminorPartnered with LOCO and Vancity for carbon analysis in the Economic and Carbon Impact of Shopping Local study, measuring environmental benefits of buying local.
- Small Business VancouvercorePartnership for the Business Clinic program connecting small businesses to free expert advice on permitting, licensing, commercial leases, architecture, legal, accounting, and insurance.
- Downtown Vancouver BIAcorePartnered on assessment of challenges for businesses on Granville Street, highlighting successful independents and encouraging new independent businesses to locate in available retail spaces.
- City of VancouvercoreMultiple projects including heritage business protection study for Chinatown, economic decline assessment for Punjabi Market, and retail study collaboration.
- Buy Social CanadacoreSponsor and campaign partner, collaborating on #BCBuyLocal initiatives and business engagement programs.
- Vancouver BIA PartnershipcoreRepresents 22 BIAs in Vancouver, partnering on Support Local BC gift card platform and digital marketing pilot programs.
- Support Local BCcoreOnline gift card platform initially launched in Victoria by Think Local First, now expanded with Vancity and LOCO BC partnership to include Metro Vancouver and Squamish businesses.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
LOCO BC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Buy Social Canada: A national non-profit dedicated to supporting local and social enterprises and running buy-local campaigns; LOCO BC is both a partner and a peer organization working on the same mission at a provincial level.
- Small Business BC: A BC-based non-profit providing advisory services, training, and resources to small businesses; comparable to LOCO BC's Business Clinic program and small business support mission.
- American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA): A national non-profit that helps communities organize independent business alliances and buy-local campaigns in the United States; directly comparable to LOCO BC's role as a provincial buy-local coalition.
- Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR): A non-profit that produces research and policy analysis on local economies, community ownership, and the impact of independent business — directly comparable to LOCO BC's research-and-advocacy model.
- Think Local First (Victoria): A Victoria-based buy-local organization that originally launched the Support Local BC gift card platform now co-run with LOCO BC; operates in the same BC market with a comparable community development model.
Emerging players
- Civic Economics: An economic consulting firm specializing in local economy multiplier research; LOCO BC is a research partner and uses Civic Economics frameworks, making it a close peer in the methodology and data space.
- Local First (UK / Locality): A UK-based network supporting local community enterprises and independent businesses; operates a comparable buy-local/community economy model outside North America.
Regional players
- Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Area (DVBIA): A Business Improvement Area in Vancouver that promotes local businesses and economic vitality; LOCO BC is a partner and addresses the same audience of independent retailers and member businesses.
Broad incumbents
- BC Chamber of Commerce: A provincial umbrella organization representing local chambers of commerce in BC; a broader incumbent that overlaps with LOCO BC's small business advocacy and policy engagement.
- Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB): Canada's largest association of small and medium-sized businesses, advocating on policy and providing resources; LOCO BC is a research partner and shares much of the same advocacy agenda for independent businesses.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
LOCO BC social profiles
Digital presenceLOCO BC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LOCO BC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
LOCO BC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LOCO BC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about LOCO BC
What does LOCO BC do?
LOCO BC is a non-profit research and advocacy organization that promotes local, small, and independent businesses in British Columbia. It coordinates the province-wide BC Buy Local (#BCBuyLocal) campaign, conducts economic impact research on independent business activity, runs the free Business Clinic advisory program connecting small businesses to expert consultants, and operates a member directory and Community Impact Assessment tools.
Is LOCO BC a public or private company?
LOCO BC is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was LOCO BC founded?
LOCO BC was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is LOCO BC based?
LOCO BC is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, in the North America region.
How does LOCO BC make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership fees are the primary driver. The others are sponsorships and partnerships and research and consulting services.
Who are LOCO BC's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Buy Social Canada, Small Business BC, American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) and Think Local First (Victoria). Emerging players are Civic Economics and Local First (UK / Locality). Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Area (DVBIA) is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are BC Chamber of Commerce and Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).
Does LOCO BC have an API?
No public API is recorded for LOCO BC.