IN THE KNOW:
Vancouver Island company among winners of national business contest
A Douglas 10 to Watch alum is one of the winners of the TELUS #StandWithOwners contest, recognizing five outstanding Canadian small businesses with grand prizes worth $200,000 each in funding, technology, and business exposure.
Sepura Home Ltd, helmed by Victor Nicolov, was a 10 to Watch winner in 2019. The company has produced a smart kitchen garbage disposal system that integrates IoT and composting technology, providing a clean, user-friendly solution with real-time environmental insights for homeowners.
The program, which supports the growth and innovation of entrepreneurs across Canada, has invested over $6 million since its inception in 2020 to help small businesses thrive in a digital economy.
The five grand-prize winners each receive a package including $75,000 in direct funding, $80,000 in advertising and exposure, $35,000 in technology from TELUS and Samsung, and $10,000 in TELUS Health wellbeing support.
Former DEYA honoree achieves a first in Canada
Virtual Gurus has sold its Virtual Assistant division to U.S.-based Zirtual, marking what is believed to be Canada’s first tech exit by an Indigenous woman founder.
Developed in 2016 by Bobbie Racette after being laid off from the oil and gas sector, Virtual Gurus started at Racette’s kitchen table with a mission to create an inclusive remote work platform.
The company connects businesses with virtual assistants from underrepresented groups including Indigenous peoples, 2SLGBTQIA+ workers, people with disabilities, and those in remote communities across Canada and the U.S.
By 2023, Virtual Gurus earned national recognition and ranked #91 on The Globe and Mail’s list of Canada’s Top 100 Growing Companies, with reported revenues between $5-10 million CAD in 2022. Racette focused on using AI-enabled, human-curated matching to power the platform’s inclusive hiring model.
In announcing the acquisition, Racette said, “This milestone isn’t just mine — it’s for every underrepresented entrepreneur who dares to build something meaningful.”
Racette was honored as the University of Victoria’s Peter B. Gustavson School of Business 2023 Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year—the first Indigenous person in 20 years to receive this award.
Esquimalt Nation announces new hire
Colleen Dupont has joined the Esquimalt (Kosapsum) Nation as its new Director of Economic Development. In an announcement on LinkedIn, the Nation notes “this is a key role newly established to support the Nation’s long-term growth, prosperity, and self-determination.
This position represents an important step forward for the Nation as we continue creating opportunities that strengthen our community and foster meaningful partnerships. With Colleen onboard, we look forward to exploring new initiatives and expanding existing relationships that reflect the Nation’s values and vision the Territory.”
Dupont was most recently the Program Lead – Economic Development with the Malahat Nation.
Cascadia Seaweed receives game-changing certification
Cascadia Seaweed says its product Kelpivex is now approved for the Canadian market. The liquid solution, made from kelp grown on marine farms in partnership with coastal First Nations, helps crops use nutrients more efficiently, meaning farmers can get better yields with less fertilizer.
CEO Michael Williamson said in a news statement “As farmers ourselves we understand the challenges of rising costs and regulatory pressures. Kelpivex is designed to increase crop efficiency and resilience, helping growers produce more with less while supporting environmentally responsible farming systems.”
Already popular in the U.S., Kelpivex is now available to support Canadian farmers aiming to boost production and sustainability. This comes at a time when the 2025 Canadian Federal Budget is investing heavily in climate action on farms, making Kelpivex a timely tool to help reduce emissions while improving soil health and crop growth.
Greater Victoria Living Wage is up by $2
The living wage for Greater Victoria has increased to $27.40 per hour in 2025, reflecting the growing cost of housing, food, and other basic expenses across the region. The updated rate, released by Living Wage for Families BC, marks a rise from last year’s $25.40 figure.
The organization calculates the living wage as the hourly rate two full-time working parents must each earn to meet the needs of a family of four without relying on debt or government assistance. Analysts say the $2 jump underscores the financial pressures facing local households, driven mainly by higher rents and grocery costs.
Living Wage for Families BC highlighted that nearly one-third of workers in the region earn less than this living wage, with women and racialized workers disproportionately affected. They called on the provincial government to close the growing $9.55 gap between the minimum wage ($17.85) and the living wage. Their report emphasized the urgent need for policies addressing affordable housing, childcare, and public transit to ease cost pressures on families.
Across the province, all 20 reported communities saw similar wage hikes, with Victoria remaining among the highest due to its housing market and childcare expenses.
Victoria nearly halfway to 2028 housing target, report finds
Victoria has built nearly half of the new homes it pledged under a provincial housing directive, though city officials warn sustained collaboration with the development sector will be key to meeting future goals.
As of September 30, the city had completed 2,359 new housing units—48% of its goal to build 4,902 by fall 2028—according to its third annual housing progress report covering October 2024 through September 2025. Victoria also exceeded its second-year target by constructing 882 new units, surpassing the planned 766.
Coun. Jeremy Caradonna said in a statement on social media that while much work remains to address the housing crisis, the city is “doing its part” by adding non-market and family-friendly homes.
The report shows Victoria has reached 79% of its target for two-bedroom units and completed 1,545 of 3,365 one-bedroom homes. However, construction of three-bedroom and below-market units lags behind goals—just 181 of 736 three-bedroom homes and 363 of 1,798 below-market units have been built so far.
City staff noted that the updated Official Community Plan, which streamlines approvals and encourages diverse housing forms, should help narrow those gaps.
Victoria’s rental market has also shown modest improvement, with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reporting a 2.5% vacancy rate last December—up from 1.6% a year earlier and far above the 1% rate seen in 2019. Caradonna called the increase a sign the market is beginning to ease for renters.
Provincial economic development plan unveiled
B.C. has released details of its Look West plan, which targets major economic growth through a sweeping decade-long agenda that aims to secure $200 billion in private investment, fast-track infrastructure, and double skilled trades training to counter U.S. tariffs and global trade uncertainty.
Key focus sectors are marine, aerospace, life sciences, innovation, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies, with the province positioning itself as a national leader in economic development and job creation.
The Look West announcement coincided with a virtual meeting between premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney, where western leaders pressed Ottawa for aggressive economic leadership. Eby urged the federal government to be “relentless and remorseless” in the pursuit of growth to support shared prosperity.
FROM THE PAGES OF DOUGLAS:
Ready to embrace — or race from — AI? It depends on how old you are, and how much exposure you’ve had to it.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
NOVEMBER
November 17 – 21: Victoria Tech Week
November 21: Discover Tectoria
November 18: Chamber Marketplace Mixer
November 20: City of Colwood Prosperity Roundtable
November 25: Chamber Breakfast with Mayor Alto
DECEMBER
December 1 -2: Government Innovation Week
December 5: Destination Greater Victoria Christmas Luncheon
JANUARY
January 26 – 28: 2026 IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism Summit
APRIL
April 1: VIATEC Awards
Douglas Weekly brings local business news, insights and community spotlights to keep Victoria and Vancouver Island In the Know. Got a story tip? Email us.
