Expanded Mandate, Regional Focus, and Inclusive Business Support
A new era of business acceleration and innovation has arrived in British Columbia’s Central Interior. On March 11, at a special community reception, the staff and Board officially unveiled the new name and brand: Central Interior Business Accelerator (CIBA). This transformation reflects CIBA’s expanded mandate, broader geographic reach, and commitment to driving business success across all industries, including non-profits, municipalities, and educational institutions.
“Our mandate to support and grow the business ecosystem beyond Kamloops and into the wider Central Interior region made it clear that our identity needed to reflect our broader vision,” said CIBA’s Board Chair, Fiona Chan. “We are excited to have the opportunity to work with more and more entrepreneurs no matter where they are in their lifecycle.”
For over a decade, Kamloops Innovation (KIC) played an important role in fostering entrepreneurship, guiding startups, and connecting organizational founders with essential resources. Now, as the Central Interior Business Accelerator, the organization seeks to deepen its impact, ensuring businesses of all sizes and stages have access to the mentorship, technology integration, and strategic guidance they need to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving market. CIBA has already been working in collaboration with other business support organizations to align their services to enhance and amplify, rather than duplicate.
CIBA is a regional innovation hub dedicated to empowering organizations through technology, strategy, and investment readiness to thrive and transform
“We are much more than a startup accelerator—we are a regional innovation hub dedicated to empowering businesses and organizations through technology, strategy, and investment readiness to thrive and transform,” shared Michael Andrews, Executive Director of CIBA. “We believe that fostering a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem will benefit everyone. By expanding our network of mentors, partners, and industry leaders, we are enhancing access to the resources and expertise that drive innovation.”
CIBA serves a diverse range of stakeholders:
Startups & Scaleups: support business validation, growth, and commercialization.
Mature Businesses: help established companies improve workflows and integrate technology, including AI.
Non-profits & Public Institutions: enhance operational efficiency and digital transformation.
Municipalities & Regional Districts: drive regional economic development through innovation.
CIBA invites business leaders, entrepreneurs, and community partners to connect to see how the organization can assist them plus attend upcoming events.
“The future of business in the Central Interior is accelerated, innovative, and connected,” noted Andrews. “We’re ready when you are. Let’s get started.”