N  E  W  S      R  E  L  E  A  S  E    

For  Immediate  Release                                                                                                                                Sumas  Regional  Consortium  for  High  Tech  Release  No.    SRCTec2016-­‐03                                                                                                                                                                                                          Public  Relations                                                                                                                                                                                                                          May  2016    

 SRCTec  WELCOMES  PROSPERA  CREDIT  UNION  AS  THEIR  NEWEST  SPONSOR  FOR  THE  AG-­‐TECH  VENTURE  ACCELERATION  PROGRAM  

   MISSION  -­‐  Sumas  Regional  Consortium  for  High  Tech  (SRCTec)  welcomes  their  newest  sponsor  in   support   of   SRCTec’s   vision.    With   the   help   of   the   Ministry   of   Technology,   BCIC   and   their  sponsors,   SRCTec   is   able   to   offer   a   unique   accelerator   open   to   the   Province   of   BC   that   gives  entrepreneurs  the  support  to  grow  a  technology  idea  or  an  existing  business.  AG-­‐Tech  Ventures  that   are   apart   of   the   program   have   created   remarkable   technologies   to   help   streamline  production  and  reduce  existing  mechanical  costs  in  a  variety  of  workplaces.    In  addition  there  are   several   environmentally   friendly   technologies   such   as   garden   apps,   sensors,   robotics,    devices  and  gaming  companies.    Along  with  the  support  of  the  AG-­‐Tech  Venture  Acceleration  Program,  SRCTec  provides  support  services   by   offering   discounted   corporate   services,   membership   to   enhance   networking,  mentorship,  access  to  funding  and  a  place  to  do  business  at.  With  this  new  sponsorship,  SRCTec  will   continue   to   foster   creative,   intellectual   minds   &   aid   in   encouraging   entrepreneurship  within  the  region.      Prospera  Credit  Union  has  more  than  70  years  of  history  in  British  Columbia,  and  is  proud  to  be  a  member  owned  co-­‐operative  with  operations   from  Vancouver   to  Kelowna.  As  a   full   service  financial   institution   that   prides   itself   on   building   relationships,   they   serve   their   members  through   sixteen   branches;   online   and   mobile   banking;   and   a   locally   based   contact   centre.  Through   their  membership   in  The  Exchange  network,   their  members  enjoy   fee-­‐free  access  to  more  than  3,300  ATM’s  across  Canada.    Making   life   better   for   everyone   is   important   to   Prospera.   With   an   extensive   community  investment  program  devoted  to  supporting  the  organizations,  events  and  volunteers  that  make  communities   stronger,  Prospera  makes   a  meaningful  difference   to   the   financial  well   being  of  their  members  and  their  communities.          

   

Quotes:      “Linking   up   with   local   community   sponsors   such   as   Prospera   gives   our   ventures   an  opportunity   to  utilize  the  services  and  expertise  needed   to  help  grow   their  business.    We  appreciate  this  newly  formed  relationship  and  look  forward  to   involving  Prospera  in  our  upcoming  events  to  help  support  our  incubated  entrepreneurs.”    Ray  Szabada  –  CEO,  Sumas  Regional  Consortium  for  High  Tech    “We   really   welcome   Prospera   to   our   Venture   Acceleration   network   at   a   time   that   they  desperately  need  low-­‐cost  services  and  personal  interaction  that  a  credit  union  can  supply”    Mike  Manion  –  Executive  in  Residence,  Sumas  Regional  Consortium  for  High  Tech      Quick  Facts:  

• Established  in  2012,  Sumas  Regional  Consortium  for  High  Tec  (SRCTec)  is  a  not-­‐for-­‐    profit   organization   governed   by   a   select   group   of   technology   executives   that   form   a  volunteer  board  of  directors.  

• SRCTec  is  a  coalition  of  local  government,  industry  partners  and  high  education  institutions  interested   in   attracting   tech   based   investment   into   the  “Region”   (including   the  District   of  Mission,  City  of  Abbotsford  and  Chilliwack).  

• As  a   consortium,  SRCTec  understands   the  necessary   infrastructure  and  programs   required  within  the  Region,  in  order  to  create  jobs,  foster  innovation  and  drive  skilled  training.  

• SRCTec   is  committed  to  the  technology-­‐led  Economic  and  Educational  development  of  the  region.  

• BC’s  technology  sector  is  the  third  largest  contributor  to  the  province’s  economy,  making  up  to  7.6%  of  our  gross  domestic  product  and  producing  $23.2  billion   in  annual  revenue  and,  $31  billion  in  exports.    

 Learn  More:    Sumas  Regional  Consortium  for  High  Tech:  www.SRCTec.org  Prospera  Credit  Union:  www.prospera.ca    Contact:    Athena  Leskun  SRCTec,  Marketing  Manager  aleskun@SRCTec.org  604-­‐615-­‐4619