{"id":81197,"date":"2020-09-17T16:18:47","date_gmt":"2020-09-17T23:18:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spring.is\/old\/?p=81197"},"modified":"2020-09-21T10:06:19","modified_gmt":"2020-09-21T17:06:19","slug":"business-resilience-in-bc-receives-critical-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spring.is\/old\/news\/business-resilience-in-bc-receives-critical-support\/","title":{"rendered":"Business Resilience in BC Receives Critical Support"},"content":{"rendered":"

This week, Western Economic Diversification Canada announced $2.2M in federal funding to help some of BC\u2019s most innovative companies grow, create jobs, and recover from the impact of COVID-19. As part of that, the <\/span>Discovery Foundation<\/span><\/a> received <\/span>$95,000 from Western Economic Diversification Canada<\/span><\/a> to support the resilience programming of its delivery partner, <\/span>Spring Activator<\/span><\/a>. This summer, Spring Activator launched the first online, long-term <\/span>Business Resilience Program<\/span><\/a> across BC to enable small business recovery post-COVID-19 and to help boost the economy. With this financial support, we will continue expanding the already extensive online course program and adapting it to meet needs against the ever-changing course of the global pandemic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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“The Discovery Foundation is delighted to partner with the Government of Canada on this important program to improve business resiliency and help to foster the development of healthy regional technology ecosystems as we build back better. With our valued agent, Spring Activator, and their talented team we will provide much needed education and mentorship with a focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion to create a vibrant economic future in BC.” –\u00a0Dr. David G. Harper\u00a0CEO, The Discovery Foundation<\/p>\n

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Funding comes at a critical time when the path to recovery looks slow and uncertain for our province. With many business owners in BC anticipating stagnant or decreased business performance, it is instrumental to ensure small businesses and entrepreneurs are equipped with the tools and resources necessary for business growth and resilience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cSpring helps the business and entrepreneur community survive and thrive in the face of business adversity – and from the outset of this pandemic we began working on programming to help in recovery efforts, and to help navigate future crises,\u201d said Keith Ippel, Spring Activator Co-Founder and CEO. \u201cWith the support of the Discovery Foundation and Western Economic Diversification Canada, we can continue to adapt our program to reflect the current environment, and rally behind the small communities and businesses that will be pivotal in our recovery efforts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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SME\u2019s and entrepreneurs are already playing a major role in helping our economy come back strong and in supporting growth across the province. Since launching the Business Resilience Program, we have expanded with two additional partners, including <\/span>Coast Capital Savings<\/span><\/a>, and we have helped +250 entrepreneurs take necessary action to thrive once again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Business Resilience Program has grown to include 20 online courses with a certification of completion for each. With new courses being added every week, participants are able to acquire as many certifications as they choose. Courses are supplemented with additional tools and resources including:<\/span><\/p>\n