Advancing social entrepreneurship in the Kootenays by supporting purpose-driven innovators with the tools, training, and community to build impactful, sustainable ventures.
What is a social entrepreneur?
It's someone who starts a business that's about more than just profits—it's about making a real difference. Whether tackling social issues, protecting the environment, or improving lives in their community, social entrepreneurs care deeply about using their ventures to create positive and meaningful impact.
How we are supporting them
We provide hands-on support to individuals and organizations launching or growing social enterprises—meeting them where they’re at, and grounding everything in the realities of rural BC:
- Cohort-based incubation for early-stage and emerging entrepreneurs
- Bi-monthly workshops open to anyone exploring social enterprise
- A regional community of practice to foster peer learning and shared momentum
- Student consulting offering real-world support to social entrepreneurs and employment opportunities for local post-secondary students
OTHER COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
Starting Winter 2026 and Fall 2026. More than 200 high school students will dive into social entrepreneurship through a flexible online program, gaining mentorship, designing impactful projects to local challenges, and showcasing top initiatives. This program offers an exciting opportunity to back youth leadership, community innovation, and the long-term resilience of rural Kootenay communities.
Spring 2026 & Spring 2027
The Social Impact Summits will be vibrant, high-profile gatherings where we’ll celebrate outcomes, spotlight inspiring innovators, and showcase the bold local solutions that are transforming our region. It’s a prime opportunity to connect and see the impact unfold.
Spring 2026
Our in-person Social Enterprise Hackathon will be an electrifying event, bringing together passionate participants across four Kootenay hubs. Together, they’ll co-create actionable community-based solutions, offering a dynamic, high-visibility platform for our partners and regional stakeholders to engage and inspire.
When local people drive community change, rural regions thrive.
Applications for the New Enterprise Incubation Cohort are NOW OPEN and close at 4pm PT / 5pm MT on Friday 26 September 2025. Make sure to apply today!
The New Enterprise Incubation Program is an in-depth 5-month program that combines self-paced courses, expert coaching sessions, and a supportive cohort to help you confidently turn your vision into a real and impactful social venture.
You’ll come away with a validated business idea, sensible financial projections and a clear plan for measuring your social impact.
The application process is a competitive process, with only seven spots available. Make sure to review all the material below, attend the information sessions and ensure that you are ready to launch a social enterprise that will positively impact your community. If you aren’t quite ready, another cohort will be open for applications in Fall 2026.
GET started!
- To show commitment to the program and an understanding of the key concepts of social enterprise, applicants must complete the Introduction to Social Enterprise course from Impact Toolbox PRIOR to applying for the incubation program. The course will take about an hour to complete. Please use code i4i-sm to access the course for free.
- The New Enterprise Incubation Cohort is only available for those residing in the Kootenay region (includes Revelstoke, Golden, Regional Districts of East Kootenay, Central Kootenay and Kootenay Boundary).
- This is an in-depth program that requires time, active participation and energy from successful applicants. Make sure to read the information sheet to review the full expectations of the program.
- Thanks to funding from the Government of BC and the Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth through a Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) grant, this incubation cohort is FREE for successful applicants
Did you miss being able to attend our info sessions? You’re in luck! We recorded it for you!
CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES
The Youth Entrepreneurship Program is for youth aged 14–18 across the Kootenays, allowing them dive into an interactive online program packed with hands-on exercises, real-world learning, and plenty of creative problem-solving. It’s a flexible way to bring social entrepreneurship into youth spaces, filling resource gaps and helping young people explore how business can be a force for good.
We are seeking teachers, youth program leaders, community educators and youth mentors who want to help youth transform local problems into brilliant solutions.
GET STARTED
Register for our information session Wednesday, October 29th, 2025 5:30-6:00pm MT (4:30PM-5:00PM PT) to get the all the details – ask questions, meet the team, understand the application process, and what will be expected of you and your students in the program.
Download the program guide.
MAKE AN IMPACT WITH US
We’re building a bold, local, and lasting movement for social enterprise in the Kootenays – come and join us. Sign up to receive updates on the opportunities that interest you the most.
Know a non-profit, business, or individual curious about social enterprise? Send them our way! We’re here to support their journey.
Downloadable goodies:
