Since launching in 2020, Entrepreneurship Immersion Week (EIW) has brought together the most compelling storytellers, movement builders and innovators to our stage to shine a spotlight on their journeys of creating impact across BC, Canada and beyond. Each year, we dive into some of the most compelling problems being experienced by society today, including the challenges facing innovators and entrepreneurs, to the future of work and the next generation of leadership, to creating intersectional approaches to venture creation that leverages equity, diversity and inclusion across sectors to spark transformational change.
This year, we are excited to announce 2023’s theme, “Climate and the Public Health Crisis: Systems Changes and Actions Needed”.
What you can expect at EIW 2023
Climate change is the single biggest health threat facing humanity today, and while no one is safe from these risks, the people whose health is being harmed first and worst by the climate crisis are the people who contribute least to its causes, and who are least able to protect themselves against it. The climate crisis threatens to widen the divide of existing health inequalities across communities and global regions.
During the global pandemic, the world rallied around reaching solutions together, we saw a coordinated effort that inspired collaborations across a multitude of sectors and geographies. Solutions moved quickly from idea to adoption as every effort was made to keep humanity from the brink of one of the most significant societal crises of our time. In fact, many of the life-saving efforts adopted globally came out of University of British Columbia research, from cutting-edge vaccine drug delivery to novel protection and prevention devices.
How might we bring that same sense of collective urgency and action to the forefront of the challenges we are facing today? Beyond just technical solutions, what are the social solutions we need to change the systems and behaviors, remove barriers, and create new pathways to effect positive social, economic and environmental impact.
Join us September 26-28, 2023 for our 4th annual Entrepreneurship Immersion Week (EIW): Let’s take action together!
Sparking conversations and connections
On the topic of the event, Michelle Sklar, Head of Venture Growth Strategy at Innovation UBC, shared: “The climate crisis is the most imminent threat to the world as we know it, and the greatest opportunity for our ecosystem of researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs to come together and create solutions that will have massive impacts on the world at large. It’s a narrative that everyone has a stake in, and one of the most important challenges we can discuss as a collective to date.”
Further, she noted: “I’m thrilled to have EIW return for its 4th year in a row to bring together our UBC and wider community to share in these discussions, and propel this conversation forward with those keen to collaborate around this important problem.”
Innovation UBC has a proven track record of developing climate based ventures into game changing solutions, working with innovators, faculties and leaders across the university and provincial landscape through our Climate Venture Studio led by Dr. Shannon Bard. We are excited to bring this conversation to our wider community through EIW to learn their insights, experiences and developments being made across the climate landscape.
Engaging the Regional Ecosystem
For the first time, EIW will be hosting the Regional Ecosystem Showcase, a regional startup pitch event featuring 10 companies from across BC who have transformative solutions in climate, human health or social impact. Presenting companies will have the opportunity to pitch live and in-person at UBC Robson Square, or online. Applicants will be evaluated by a panel of judges, who are members of BC’s investor community.
Applications are now open! Learn more and apply on our website by July 21.
Mark your calendars
Mark your calendars for Entrepreneurship Immersion Week, September 26-28 in person at UBC Robson Square, UBC Point Grey and online. Registration is launching mid July.
Learn more here and keep up to date by registering for our newsletter.
Looking to get involved? We would love to hear from you! Learn more about collaboration and sponsorship opportunities for EIW 2023.
