PROJECT ZERO
INCUBATOR
2019 COHORT
Meet our 2019 incubator cohort! These entrepreneurs are all eager to dive in and develop their businesses. We are excited to see the progress they make over the course of the 8 month program. Business ideas range from a reusable coffee cup program to composting in remote areas to giving art supplies a second life.
Bin breeze
Taylor, Sunny, & Harmen | Greater Victoria
Creating a complimentary composting product designed to prevent odors, fruit flies, and other inconveniences associated with using the ‘kitchen catcher’ green bin.
Ergo Eco Solutions
Brian, Per, & Dylan | Duncan
Upcycling waste cooking oils from Ergo’s recycling services to create sustainable eco products such as release agents and biofuel.
Nyoka
Paige & Yamila | Greater Victoria
Designing the world’s first eco-friendly glow stick by harnessing the power of bioluminescence.
SUPPLY Victoria
Ashley | Greater Victoria
SUPPLY is a non-profit that sells donated art, office, & school supplies while providing educational programs to youth and adults.
The Nulla Project
Caroline & Nancy | Greater Victoria
Creating a reusable and returnable coffee cup and takeout container service in the Greater Victoria area.
Louise & Georgina | Tofino
Compost service provider in the Tofino area, expanding their services.
2019 INCUBATOR SUPPORTERS
In 2019, we partnered with theDock. In their Chinatown space, they gave our participants the opportunity to test out working in a co-working space catered towards social enterprises and purpose-driven businesses. Participants used the space to work on their businesses.
theDock is a co-working, meeting, and event space for community builders, social entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations, social purpose businesses, co-ops, creatives and engaged people making the world a better place. Their overarching vision is a connected and impactful social change sector in Victoria and on Vancouver Island, with theDock providing the space and services to its members to help them thrive, in community.
Guest experts
The Incubator programs features a variety of guest experts who lead sessions in their area of expertise, answer participant questions, and offer coaching calls. These guest experts bring a lot of value to the program and we are so grateful for their on-going support. Check out 2020's guest experts below!
DR. Michelle Clement
Camosun College | Marketing Professor
Michelle Clément’s research interest and experience lies within sustainability, marketing and consumer behaviour. She has sat on numerous committees within the community and the post-secondary environment.
Kyle Sangret
Benson Seymour LLP | CPA, CA
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Kyle believes in lifelong learning and strengthening the financial literacy of Canadians. He is a volunteer with the Chartered Professional Accountants national Financial Literacy Program and delivers small business seminars locally. Kyle is also a business mentor with Cape Brenton University’s In.Business Program, a National Mentorship Program for Indigenous Youth, delivered in partnership with Vancouver Island University.
Amanda Wilson
Spark Strategic Group | Communications Specialist
Amanda is a marketing and communications specialist whose varied career encompasses journalism, public relations, commercial production and arts marketing among others. She is currently co-owner of Spark Strategic Group. She helped launch the Island Good ‘buy local’ brand marketing initiative, and she is currently supporting eco-start up The Nulla Project in their work reducing single use coffee cups.
Marina jaffey
Camosun College | Marketing Instructor
Marina has a passion for teaching and learning, and has been working with students for over 20 years. Her industry background is in marketing and sales management with Unilever and the National Gallery of Canada. Marina is also a published author and her book, THINK Marketing, co-written with colleague Keith Tuckwell, presents current Canadian and international marketing trends and practices in a way that is engaging and interactive for students.
miles waghray
Sitka Law | Associate
Miles enjoys assisting his clients with their personal and professional legal needs. Miles operating a mixed practice of law with a focus on corporate & commercial law. In his spare time, Miles enjoys all forms of outdoor activities, travelling to various countries, and playing music.
Adel guitouni
University of Victoria | Associate Professor
Dr. Adel Guitouni is an award-winning associate professor of management sciences, operations research and decision support systems at the Gustavson School of Business. Through his research Adel's goal is to help improve the decision-making process at the individual and corporate level. Through his entrepreneurship and leadership project work, he hopes to empower youth and leaders by giving them the tools to change their world.
Danielle Smeltzer
Stocksy United | Organizational Development Director
Danielle is a growth-enabling chameleon who blends whole-hearted leadership with operational innovation. In her senior leadership role at Stocksy United, she develops teams and individuals through education, advancement opportunities, coaching and mentorship, leads organizational change, and much more.
Marc Stoiber
Marc Stoiber Brand Strategy | Pitch Expert
For over 30 years, Marc has helped everyone from global packaged goods giants to local upstarts create brands that are simple, and outperform. He started as a writer in Hong Kong, became a creative director in Germany, was part of the Palmer Jarvis team that won Agency of The Year 4 years straight, ran the creative output of DDB Toronto, and was National Creative Director at Grey as we went from #40 to #9 on the national creative scorecard in under 3 years.