Since its inception in 2002, more than 25 organizations now sponsor TEC VenturePrize and support its mission to bolster entrepreneurship in Alberta’s tech sector.

For The Business Link, the Canada Business service centre for Alberta, TEC VenturePrize meshes neatly with the organization’s mission to serve entrepreneurs, says the Executive Director, Rodger Cole.

“The Business Link is in the business of providing information and associated business services to Alberta’s small business community,” he says. Through The Business Link’s video conferencing network, this program can be made available to entrepreneurs across the province.

Many entrepreneurs in the tech sector have left non-business careers to become entrepreneurs, and their needs are different than other types of entrepreneurs. “You have to think differently and prepare differently, and understand a new set of principles in operating your tech business,” he says. “TEC VenturePrize goes a long way to helping
people in those processes.”

Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) has been supporting the TEC VenturePrize mentorship program for two years, says CEO Tracey Scarlett. “Providing that kind of support for entrepreneurs really fits well with the core business we’re in,” she explains.

While many women are graduating from postsecondary institutions with a strong science and technical education, they typically leave the technology sector when they decide to become entrepreneurs. Scarlett hopes TEC VenturePrize, as well as some of AWE’s programs, can work to change this. For the fourth year, Dynacor Media is donating its services to TEC VenturePrize, says Managing Director Terri Dorn. Staffers will help TEC VenturePrize finalists create their corporate video pitches for the judges – a key component for their final pitches.

“Participating is a lot of fun,” says Dorn. “It’s a way for the company to give back to the community.” Most of Dynacor’s clients come from business, industry and government, so it just makes sense to lend a hand to budding entrepreneurs in the tech sector. “These are the people who are going to be tomorrow’s clients,

Edmonton Journal/Calgary Herald Advertorial October 2008