Become a Startup Scout
in
at
University of British Columbia

Unlock a world of startup potential by becoming a VC startup scout. Dive into a career-boosting journey that offers unrivaled networking opportunities and exposure to entrepreneurial innovation. Satisfaction and knowledge await at the University of British Columbia.

About

The University of British Columbia (UBC) has a rich ecosystem for startups and venture capital (VC) that supports the birth and growth of innovative companies. This ecosystem is backed by a combination of university resources, intellectual capital, and networking opportunities.

Within UBC, there’s the entrepreneurship@UBC, a program designed to incubate and accelerate startups from the UBC community. It provides a range of resources, tools, and mentorship to help budding entrepreneurs take their ideas to the market. Over its existence, entrepreneurship@UBC has fostered numerous successful startups, including BioInteractive Technologies, creators of a wristband that can control digital devices with hand gestures, and AVA Technologies, which designs smart indoor gardens for consumers' use.

Moreover, the University Industry Liaison Office (UILO) at UBC actively works to transform research into real-world applications. Since its inception, the UILO, in collaboration with entrepreneurship@UBC, has fostered numerous spin-off companies originating from faculty research. Some examples of these include Aspect Biosystems, a biotechnology company specializing in the 3D bioprinting of human tissues, and Terramera, a cleantech company focused on developing sustainable biopesticide products.

UBC also boasts alumni who have made significant contributions to the startup and VC ecosystem. Michael Lazaridis, co-founder of BlackBerry and Quantum Valley Investments, is one of many notable alumni. Another successful entrepreneur affiliated with UBC is Robert Simon, who founded Borealis Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in the built environment.

The university also fosters connections and collaboration with the broader startup ecosystem in Vancouver. For instance, it partners with local accelerators and incubators, and hosts events that bring together entrepreneurs, investors, students and alumni.

As a Scout, You Can...

Kickstart Your Venture Capital Career

Showing your skills in picking successful startups and advising founders is the surest way to build your reputation and secure a venture capital role.

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Help Your Ecosystem Thrive

Your community, region, or group thrives when its founders are given the chance to succeed before going back and reinvesting in their comunities.

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Earn a Share in Startups Without Investing in Them

Earn a share in startups you scout without the funds to invest directly just like a VC partner.

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Monetise Your Content & Community

As a podcaster, community manager, or event organiser you have a front-row seat to interesting startups which you can monetise by helping them fundraise.

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Create a Fairer Society

By identifying under-represented founders you're level the playing field for anyone to success based on merit independent from their social or ethnic background.

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Help Friends Get Funded

Help your friends who are neck-deep in their startups get the funding they need to succeed.

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Grow Your Personal Brand

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Join as a Scout at Your University

Available Programs

Startup Investor?

Connect with innovative entrepreneurs and startups from UBC—the premier research University in Canada! Get exclusive dealflow opportunities and be among the first to invest in the next big thing.

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Scout Programs in Other Global Startup Hubs

Podcaster

Do you interview founders & startups? Take your conversation insights to the next level by scouting your favourite podcast guests.

Scout founders you interview →

Co-Working Space Organiser

Do you help run a co-working space as an organiser or a greeter? Do you come across interesting entrepreneurs and startups?

Scout startups you sit next to→

Event Organiser

Do you organise an event, conference, or trade show? Help your founder attendees get discovered.

Scout startups at your event →

Student

Are you active in the entrepreneurship club at your college? Doing an MBA? Or are you a PHD student at a technical university? Help your fellow students get funded.

Scout startups at your university →

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