Kamloops' business resource organizations work together to deliver a collaborative entrepreneurship resource program dedicated to providing business planning, employment skills training, finance connections and access to local business resources.
Community Futures Thompson Country, Open Door Group, Venture Kamloops, Kamloops Innovation, TRU Generator, Kamloops & District Chamber of Commerce, The Stir, Kamloops Immigrant Services and Tourism Kamloops are committed to make sure there are easy connections to help local entrepreneurs and businesses. Learn more about these wrap-around supports!
GET STARTEDCommunity Futures Thompson Country’s focus is on providing entrepreneurs and business owners access to complimentary business resources, professional business counselling, start-up loan assistance, job placement, training and more.
Open Door Group is a non-profit organization built on the fundamental belief that everyone has the ability to succeed. They provide tailored employment services to individuals and businesses in order to build strong workforce ecosystems and thriving local communities.
Venture Kamloops is the economic development organization for the City of Kamloops. Their mission is to give every local business the best chance to succeed and create economic growth in Kamloops.
At Kamloops Innovation we help entrepreneurs start, grow and accelerate their technology and tech-enabled ventures. We offer affordable programs that guide, coach and mentor entrepreneurs at various stages of their journey, and our open and collaborative office spaces are designed to facilitate useful connections and boost a sense of community. Come for a visit or attend one of our many events.
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) and Kamloops Innovation operate the TRU Generator. Located on-campus in the basement of the House of Learning, TRU Generator offers startup workshops, mentorship and a dynamic workspace for TRU students, alumni, faculty and staff. Drop in to learn about entrepreneurship, book a meeting with a mentor or connect with like-minded peers on campus.
Kamloops Immigrant Services (KIS) delivers needs assessments, orientation, employment-related services, community connections, mentorship, and language training to newcomers in-person, online, and over the phone in Kamloops and over 6 surrounding communities. KIS is a registered charity serving immigrant, refugees, migrant workers, visible minorities, first-generation Canadians, and their families in becoming full and equal members of the Canadian society.
The Stir is the Food Hub for the Kamloops region. The Stir is a project of the Kamloops Food Policy Council and member of the BC Food Hub Network. The project is funded by the BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Fisheries. We provide shared commercial kitchen rentals, business mentorship, health permit coaching and support to help local food entrepreneurs expand their business to reach a wider market than they would otherwise be able to break into.
The Kamloops & District Chamber of Commerce is a member-based organization designed to elevate the business community in Kamloops since 1896. Through connection, development and advocacy the chamber is here to help support, grow, and enhance your business.
Tourism Kamloops leads strategic destination marketing for the City of Kamloops. We partner and collaborate with stakeholders and support developments that promote Kamloops as a distinct and desirable tourism destination. We provide support in all phases of new tourism related businesses, from development to marketing execution and everything in between.
No matter what stage you’re at we’ve got you covered! We connect you to unique business support programs and shared services, instead of duplicating them. The diverse partners ensures you wrap-around services as your business grows, with no dead ends.
Development | Start-up | Growth | Expansion | Maturity | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Community Futures | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Open Door Group | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Venture Kamloops | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Kamloops Innovation | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
TRU Generator | ✔ | ✔ | |||
Chamber of Commerce | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
The Stir, Kamloops Food Hub | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Kamloops Immigrant Services | ✔ | ✔ | |||
Tourism Kamloops | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Moon has transitioned from a decade of experience in Dentistry and followed her passion with an innovative product line for healthy mouths and vibrant teeth called Love Your Mouth by Moon. Originally from Afghanistan, Moon grew up in B.C. and relocated to Kamloops during COVID-19 seeking new opportunities and receiving entrepreneur support along the way.
Moon qualified for the Self-Employment Program at Open Door Group in 2021.
Moon received business advisory services and training through the team at Community Futures Thompson Country.
Moon applied for the VK Venture Advisors Program, having the opportunity to pitch her new business idea to a panel of local business professionals and industry experts.
Moon received connections to digital service providers and free feedback for the businesses’ online presence through the free Digital Economy: Rapid Response + Resiliency (DER3) program delivered locally by Kamloops Innovation in 2021.
Moon received Advisory services and expert insight from the local Food Hub Coordinator on launching a products-based business.
After a successful career in sales and the automotive industry Lenn was looking for the next challenge and passion to pursue. Making the transition to owning RC Nation, his own retail and service hobby grade remote-controlled vehicle shop, Lenn has tapped into local business supports along the way to get help.
Lenn applied to the VK Accelerate Program, receiving Program Supports for opening his first bricks and mortar storefront.
Lenn improved his online presence through the free Digital Economy: Rapid Response + Resiliency (DER3) program delivered locally by Kamloops Innovation in 2021.
Lenn connected with a business advisor from Community Futures Thompson Country to review his business plan from the perspective of an entrepreneur’s investment.
The number of people employed in Kamloops is estimated at nearly 49,000 and is projected to increase to nearly 51,000 by 2022.