BRITISH COLUMBIA

​“Spark" Mentorships & Grants Program

Presented by

​​Whether you are an individual, a start-up or an established small business or non-profit organization, there can be many challenges and barriers to bringing a new tourism idea, experience or partnership to fruition. 

​We want to help. The “Spark" Program will match selected candidates with a tourism mentor and provide a source of financial support to help take your new tourism idea to the next level of development.

2022-2023 “Spark" Program Regions:

> Surrey - Application Intake Now Closed
> Thompson Nicola - Application Intake Now Closed
> Northern BC - Application Intake Now Closed
> Indigenous Tourism BC - Application Intake Now Closed
> Kootenay Rockies Accessible Tourism - Application Deadline Feb 28
> Cariboo Chilcotin Coast - Application Deadline Mar 16
> Campbell River - Application Deadline Mar 24


2021-2022 “Spark" Program Regions:

> Cariboo Chilcotin Coast - 2022 Winners
> Indigenous Tourism BC - 2022 Winners
> Sea to Sky - 2021 Winners 
> West Kootenay - 2021 Winners
​
Stay tuned for updates for other BC regions!

The “Spark" Program includes:

• Region-wide call out for applications from individuals, small businesses and non-profits
• Application reviews by a jury including local and provincial tourism innovators and leaders
• Finalists' Pitch Session (our friendly take on a tourism Dragon's Den)
• Selection of 3 winning applicants from each participating region

Selected applicants will receive:

• 3 month mentorship with a tourism innovator, experienced operator, industry leader and/or sector expert
• “Spark” grant to support tourism idea development activities
• Access to a support network of tourism innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders
• Ongoing guidance on other resources and support services provided by partners

All program applicants are invited to join our “Spark" community of tourism innovators, idea makers, partners and supporters for special networking events, one-on-one's, and development workshops.

Interested in launching the “Spark" Program in your region? 
Interested in being a mentor and supporting start-up tourism initiatives?  

Please contact Alex Berlyand, BC Programs Coordinator at outreach@tourisminnovation.ca or 1-844-455-0325 ext. 2 for more information.

Learn more about the Tourism Innovation Lab

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​Western Canada Home Base
Tourism Innovation Lab
c/o The Common
38016 Cleveland Ave, Squamish, BC V8B 0A1
info@tourisminnovation.ca
1-844-455-0325 x 2 (toll-free)

We respectfully acknowledge that our home base in Squamish sits on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples: Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam First Nations. We will honour that by collaborating with Indigenous-led organizations and businesses to support the advancement of Indigenous tourism in the region and across Canada.

​ Central Canada Home Base 
Tourism Innovation Lab
c/o University of Windsor - EPICentre
​2455 Wyandotte St W, Windsor, ON, Canada N9B 3B3
​​​info@tourisminnovation.ca
1-844-455-0325 x 1 (toll-free)
​
​We respectfully acknowledge that our home base at the University of Windsor sits on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations, which is comprised of the Ojibwa, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi Peoples. We will honour that by collaborating with Indigenous-led organizations and businesses to support the advancement of Indigenous tourism in the region and across Canada.