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PROJECT ZERO

INCUBATOR

2023 COHORT

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Meet our 2023 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 farm-to-table circular cafe to recycled steel framing for construction to seaweed-based biodegradable acoustic panels!

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7leagues LEATHER

Tasha | Vancouver

A fish leather innovation company, adding value and reducing waste in fish processing, using clean, biobased plant tannins and modern machinery to create a strong, local, eco-textile sustaining people and planet.

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build smartr robotics

Harv | Surrey

A construction technology company that uses recycled steel and automation to build homes faster, stronger, and cheaper.

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cLIMATE wAVE cOFFEE

Praveen | Victoria

Transforming monoculture coffee farms worldwide into biodiversity-friendly coffee forests by forming allies with coffee professionals and nature to reverse global warming.

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full circle solar

Reid | Victoria

Installing renewable technology to help BC businesses and residents transition to sustainable energy.

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Elina | Victoria

An interdisciplinary design studio and recycling atelier focused on design driven waste reduction, art direction, product development and repurposing through artistic practice.

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KSLAM

Casey | Vancouver

A Vancouver-based fashion brand made using deadstock and pre-loved materials. With sustainability at the forefront of their designs, KSLAM is focused on making one-of-a-kind and made-to-fit pieces.

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mAZAKO

Maša | Victoria

A circular sourcing, production, and distribution system for sauces. With ingredients sourced from Vancouver Island product streams otherwise destined for waste, Mazako will distribute its products via refillery stations in partner grocery stores.

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Pemberton Circular CafÉ

Erica & Élodie | Pemberton

A farm-to-table circular economy café, located in the agricultural valley of Pemberton, BC.

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Refyne

Alex & Dalia | New Westminster

A sustainable hub for self-employed newcomers and BIPOC individuals to utilize their sewing skills in repurposing clothing. Individuals can come to this hub for textile recycling, mending & repairs, and repurposing boutique clothing.

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Rood Food Products

Lisa | Vancouver

Aimed at eliminating food loss altogether, the Rood Food brand will buy surplus fruits and vegetables that would normally be discarded for cosmetic reasons and turn them into innovative new consumer products.

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Seacork Acoustics

Annie | Vancouver

Designing and making biodegradable acoustic panels from seaweed - with the goal of connecting our indoor spaces to our local ecosystems through playful designs.

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the rogerie

Brady | Kelowna

Designing and 3D-printing everyday homewares with plastic recovered directly from the local landfill and other Canadian sources. The Rogerie believes choosing sustainable products shouldn't come at the expense of quality or design.

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Zhero

Kelli | Lantzville

Providing families, schools and workplaces with sustainable, zero-waste container options, helping to eliminate the reliance on plastic and single-use items.

2023 Incubator Supporters

The 2023 cohort represents the second year offering our incubator BC-wide! We are grateful for the continuous support from our Strategic Partner, Vancity, as well as support from the Vancouver Economic Commission and the McConnell Foundation. We also want to extend a special thank you to all of our program amplifiers across the province who have helped us reach more entrepreneurs in new regions.

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Vancity is a values-based financial cooperative serving the needs of its more than 560,000 member-owners and their communities in the Coast Salish and Kwakwaka'wakw territories.

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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 ongoing support. Check out 2023's guest experts below!

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University of Victoria

Associate Professor

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UBC MMRI

Program Manager

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ASW Law Limited

Partner & Consultant

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Camosun College

Finance Professor

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Spark Strategic Group

Communications Specialist

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tartanbond

President

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Camosun College

Marketing Professor

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Camosun College

Marketing Professor

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tartanbond

Director, Pacific Northwest

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Stocksy United

Director of People & Talent

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Sitka Law

Associate

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Symmetry PR

President & COO​

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macushlaw

Founder & Managing Lawyer

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Circular Economy Leadership Canada, Managing Director

Business coaches

Through the Incubator Program, each venture is paired with a business coach whom they have the opportunity to meet with monthly for one-on-one calls. These business coaches help to develop their business model, overcome hurdles, sound-board ideas, provide moral support, and offer industry insights and connections. We are so grateful for the support from our amazing business coaches, learn more about them below!

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