We’re creating a dynamic environment where start-ups, innovators, educators, and businesses can collaborate, pilot new ideas, and accelerate innovation to ignite the spark of change.
Maple Ridge Catalyst Innovation Network Event: Connect. Learn. Fund Your Next Big Idea. | July 29
Whether you’re launching a startup, developing a new technology, or preparing to scale an existing company, don't miss our next Igniter Event to gain practical insights, valuable connections, and a clearer understanding of your funding options. Registration is free, but space is limited to 50 seats!
The Catalyst Innovation Network is a new, sustainable, and ongoing initiative with the objective of building an innovation ‘ecosystem’ that connects existing and future entrepreneurs, businesses, community organizations, and talent to drive economic diversification and future-ready job growth in Maple Ridge.
This work will support the City’s goals of diversifying the local economy , fostering high-quality job creation, strengthening local and regional competitiveness, and positioning Maple Ridge as an emerging destination for innovative businesses, technology talent, and scalable entrepreneurship.
We will engage residents, businesses, schools, investors, and ecosystem partners, both within and beyond Maple Ridge, to co-design and help build a network that reflects Maple Ridge’s unique strengths, community identity, and long-term economic ambitions.
The Focus of the Catalyst Innovation Network:
This forward-thinking initiative will be based on four key streams of work. Each stream supports our long-term goal of creating a connected, vibrant, and resilient innovation community.
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Community Engagement
We’re engaging directly with residents, businesses, educators, youth, and industry partners to understand what Maple Ridge needs to continue to grow its innovation-fueled economy. Through interviews, focus groups, and conversations with local and regional leaders, we are gathering insights that help identify the city’s strengths, gaps, and opportunities. This community-guided approach ensures that the Catalyst Innovation Network reflects real opportunities and supports the people who will benefit most from it.
Innovation Events
We are working to host interactive startup and innovation events that bring people together to share ideas, connect with others, and learn about emerging opportunities in Maple Ridge. These sessions highlight local innovators, spark collaboration between different sectors, and build excitement about what innovation can look like in our community. Each event also gives residents and businesses a chance to help shape the direction of the network.
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Strategic Partnerships
We aspire to build partnerships with post-secondary institutions, accelerators, industry organizations, and innovation enablers to support talent development, entrepreneurship, and business growth in Maple Ridge. Based on research and feedback from events and engagements, these collaborations will aim to bring new training programs, mentorship opportunities, and support for innovation and scalable entrepreneurship to the community. Through these efforts, we are creating long-term alignment and expanding what Maple Ridge can offer to innovators and businesses.
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Media and Storytelling
We have only just begun promoting Maple Ridge’s innovation story to the region and beyond. By highlighting local companies, sharing bold community success stories, and securing features in industry and business publications, we are raising awareness of Maple Ridge as an emerging destination for innovation. This visibility helps attract talent, investment, and partnership opportunities while strengthening the city’s economic brand.
How You Can Get Involved
Do you have ideas for innovation, or would you like to learn more about opportunities to collaborate? Please reach out to us at Innovation@MapleRidge.ca.
Whether you're launching a startup, developing a new technology, or preparing to scale an existing company, don't miss our next Igniter Event to gain practical insights, valuable connections, and a clearer understanding of your funding options. Registration is free, but space is limited to 50 seats!
Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2026 Time: 6 pm–8 pm Location: Night Owl Kitchen + Bar, Maple Ridge Address: 20690 Lougheed Highway
Connect. Learn. Fund Your Next Big Idea.
The Maple Ridge Catalyst Innovation Network brings together entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, and business leaders. Join us for an evening of networking and practical conversations about raising non-equity (non-dilutive) capital. While this session targets non-dilutive options, our future events will focus on equity capital. We will also be canvassing participants on local acceleration and support options to help founders scale. Whether you’re launching a startup, developing new technology, or preparing to scale, you’ll leave with practical insights, valuable connections, and a clearer understanding of your funding options.
Registration is free, but space is limited to 50 seats!
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CEO of WeBC
Shauna Harper is the CEO of WeBC, based in the Kelowna office. As a federally funded not-for-profit organization, WeBC provides thousands of women entrepreneurs across BC with business loans, expertise, training, resources, and peer support to help their businesses grow and thrive each year. Shauna has been recognized for her leadership and impact. She was named a Woman of Influence by BC Business Magazine; and Business Person of the Year and Top 40 Under 40 by the Prince George Chamber of Commerce. She was on the BC Premier's Women's Economic Council as an advisor from 2014–2017, and an advisor on the Government of Canada’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Strategy in 2019. She is currently the Board Chair of the Women's Enterprise Organizations of Canada, a national not-for-profit that supports a diverse membership of organizations that directly impact the growth and success of women entrepreneurs across the country.
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Grant Funding and Proposals Specialist at SM Consultancy
Stephen Miller is a non-dilutive funding and policy expert, working at the intersection of innovation, public investment, and technology development. He helps businesses navigate Canada's complex government funding landscape and access grants that fuel growth and innovation. With experience as Policy Fellow at Mitacs—one of Canada's major innovation funders—and as Grants and Incentives Manager at BDO Canada, he brings a systems-level perspective to how public funding, strategic partnerships, and strong project design can accelerate innovation and unlock growth.
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Business Developmental Manager at Futurpreneur
Fred Yazdini is a connector, a community builder, and a champion for the next generation of entrepreneurs. As a Business Development Manager with Futurpreneur Canada, he works across British Columbia to help young business owners access the funding, mentorship, and support they need to get off the ground and keep going.
At heart, Fred is an entrepreneur himself. He thinks in possibilities, leads with curiosity, and believes deeply that the right support at the right time can change someone's entire trajectory. Outside of his day-to-day role, he's passionate about community development and loves creating spaces where like-minded people can come together, share ideas, and push each other forward.
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Senior Account Manager at the Business Development Bank of Canada
Katherine Kim is a Senior Account Manager, Financing with the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), based in the Tri-Cities region of British Columbia. In her role, she partners with entrepreneurs and business owners across a wide range of industries, providing financing solutions and strategic guidance to support growth, acquisitions, succession planning, productivity investments, and long-term business success.
With extensive experience in commercial lending and relationship management, Katherine is passionate about helping Canadian businesses achieve their ambitions by connecting them with the capital, advisory services, and resources they need to thrive. She is an active advocate for entrepreneurship in the local business community and frequently collaborates with industry partners, advisors, and business leaders to foster innovation, productivity, and sustainable growth.
