Inspiring Example of Collaboration that Nurtures New Entrepreneurs

Inspiring Example of Collaboration that Nurtures New Entrepreneurs

March 12, 2025

Heading into its second year, the Kootenay Entrepreneurship Program (KEP) is proving as innovative as the participants it attracts.

Two post-secondary institutions – Selkirk College, and College of the Rockies – and the Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST) partnered in 2022 to create the Kootenay Youth Entrepreneurship Program. These innovative organizations decided that by working together, they would be able to reach more youth, students and recent graduates in BC’s Kootenay region to help them develop entrepreneurial skills that are so crucial for today’s workplace.

The partners have learned from their experience offering the program in its first couple years, and developed a new version of this innovative program, providing enhanced entrepreneurial training across the Kootenay region. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) was delighted to provide funding for the KEP partnership, and is excited by this approach to developing local talent. “This highly collaborative project will help create new products, businesses, services and jobs within the region,” says Laurel Douglas, CEO of ETSI-BC.

Bridging the Gap in Entrepreneurial Training

KEP addresses gaps within the programs of the each of the partners. KAST, the regional tech business accelerator for example, offers programs for students grades K-12 in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM), as well as programs to support established technology businesses and entrepreneurs who want to grow/expand their ventures. KAST identified a gap in their programming for students wanting to learn how to turn their entrepreneurial skills into new ventures.

Selkirk College has a number of business programs, and the College of the Rockies offers a Bachelor of Business Administration. Both also have non-business programs with a high degree of potential for students to develop their own business ventures. The three organizations decided to put their heads together to reach the most people the most effectively.

Later, Kootenay Outdoor Recreational Enterprise (KORE) became a valuable participant in KEP by building an entrepreneurial networking and learning event into its KORE Outdoor Rec Tech Summit. The KEP partners hosted the networking event attended by 15 students and recent graduates and provided funding for them to attend the KORE Summit. Students engaged with a variety of entrepreneurs, speakers and mentors from the KORE community to gain first-hand information and inspiration.

A post-event survey highlighted the value of the KORE experience. “My greatest takeaway was learning that these entrepreneurs were not afraid to take risks. They seized every opportunity they could to find, faced failure multiple times, and learned from it,” said one respondent.

From Start-up Showdown to International Competitions

Mike Konkin, Business Administration Instructor at Selkirk College coordinated the second KEP Startup Showdown event, designed to generate interest in entrepreneurship, enhance participants’ awareness of their skills, ideas and areas for improvement, and build their networks.

The Showdown included a Business Simulation Competition where students made strategic decisions around a business model related to marketing, pricing and corporate social responsibility. The team with the highest stock value was the winner. A Business Pitch Competition was also held where teams were tasked with developing a business idea to pitch to a panel of local entrepreneurs. The winning team was recognized for having the best pitch presentation and business concept.

In addition, an optional skills building workshop was held for students in Selkirk’s Digital Fabrication and Design (DFAB) program. The workshop dove deep into business startup considerations including team building, startup financing, compliance requirements and strategic planning.

An exciting outcome for two Selkirk students – Jaspreet Kaur and Deepak Kuma Angurala – was qualifying to participate in Mikes Bikes World Champs Competition, that took place in January 2025. The event welcomes teams from around the world compete in developing a strategy and business plan for a potential bike manufacturing business. Participants develop critical skills needed in the modern business landscape such as strategic thinking, decision-making and adaptability to changing scenarios.

The new KEP intake started in February 2025 and the program will continue to evolve as new opportunities are identified. “KEP addresses the same entrepreneurial skills that are needed in regular businesses, says Konkin. “It should be fundamental to all business training.”

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