LIFT founder Hans Peter Meyer accepts the award for ‘Best Entrepreneur Promoter’ at the Startup Canada Awards ceremony held in Vancouver on Wednesday, May 30. Photo submitted

LIFT founder Hans Peter Meyer accepts the award for ‘Best Entrepreneur Promoter’ at the Startup Canada Awards ceremony held in Vancouver on Wednesday, May 30. Photo submitted

LIFT Startups wins provincial award

Comox Valley networking group named 'Best Entrepreneur Promoter' in British Columbia

LIFT Startups has been recognized as the ‘Best Entrepreneur Promoter’ in British Columbia.

The organization received recognition at the Startup Canada Awards ceremony held in Vancouver on Wednesday, May 30.

LIFT Startups is a business and community economic development network, comprising 150 members.

Although based in the Comox Valley, the organization is attracting local entrepreneurs and creatives from Victoria to Quadra Island. Founder and CEO Hans Peter Meyer says it’s because “LIFT is dedicated to providing dynamic and collaborative business and marketing solutions. These are appealing to Island entrepreneurs – especially those who are interested in growth.”

LIFT keeps growing

LIFT is introducing another feature to help Island businesses: a map-based directory that will support LIFT’s community economic development mission.

“There’s a lot of support for ‘local’ in our communities,” said Meyer. “We’re inviting our members to make this the go-to place for Islanders looking for the best businesses the region has to offer.”

This new website showcases one of the ways that LIFT supports local talent, by giving them a new way to feature new products and services and grow new markets.

“Our BizOnDeck workshops give us an ear to the ground on what businesses are needing to grow,” Meyer said. “Our team has honed in on the bottom line: Island entrepreneurs are ready for change— they are looking for connections, they’re open to support from their peers and from mentors. They’re looking for organic business opportunities to grow.”

New event

The inaugural LIFT Summer Social takes place June 14.

“We’re looking forward to celebrating our ‘first 150’ members – and inviting them to tell us how we can make LIFT even better as a way to help grow their businesses,” said Meyer.

For more information on this event and other LIFT initiatives, visit LIFTStartups.ca

Comox Valley Record