Douglas Weekly 2025

Douglas Weekly – Jan 27

January 27, 2025

Taylor McCarten, CEO of BinBreeze, a compost bin deodorizer that eliminates fruit flies and odour. Photo supplied. — Taylor McCarten, CEO of BinBreeze, a compost bin deodorizer that eliminates fruit flies and odour, is a previous participant in the Project Zero incubator program. Photo supplied.

IN THE KNOW:

Project Zero seeks ecopreneurs for its 2025 program

Synergy Foundation’s Project Zero has opened applications for the seventh year of its Incubator program.

The free, virtual, eight-month course gives B.C.-based entrepreneurs and start-ups the opportunity to create and refine their business plan and pitch, learn business operation fundamentals and entrepreneurial skills, and connect with mentors. Since 2019, 80 ventures have graduated from the Incubator, creating over 160 new green jobs in B.C.
The Incubator is free to all successful applicants.

To be eligible, applicants must be based in B.C., planning to develop their organization in B.C. and operating a business, non-profit, product and/or service in its concept stage or that makes under $500,000 in revenue.

There will be a virtual program info session on Thursday, January 23. Applications close at 11:59 PM PST on Monday, March 3.

H2 Announces Expansion to Alberta

H2 Accelerator, the advertising agency previously known as Hot House Marketing, has announced a major new hire and an expansion to Alberta.

Scott King joins H2 after earning international accolades that include the prestigious Jay Chiat Award for strategic work with UN Mine Action Services. A SAIT alumnus and designer of courses in the New Media Production & Design program, King launched H2’s Beltline office in late 2024, where he’s building a team that includes top local names, as well as a creative content studio that makes next-generation production expertise flexible, affordable, and responsive.

“Scott’s strategic heft and big ideas inspire our team and clients. Growing west with the right people in place feels like a natural evolution,” says CEO Dan Dagg.

H2’s diverse clientele includes Vancouver Island’s Coastal Community Credit Union, Tourism Nanaimo, and Oak Bay Marine Group, as well as Alberta leaders like Easymax and national clients such as Connect Hearing. Services span strategy, creative, media buying, video production, and social media.

Since 2021, H2 has tripled gross sales, expanded its team from 16 to 23 full-time staff, and embraced a hybrid work model.

Longtime business announces sudden closure

Epicure, a North Saanich-based culinary company known for its direct sales model of convenient, ready to eat food and spices, announced it has ceased operations via a Facebook post on its company page January 24.

Company founder Sylvie Rochette wrote “this was not a choice made lightly, but one born from the weight of financial challenges many in the industry have experienced following the pandemic.”

Students benefit from new on campus housing announcement

B.C.’s Ministry of Infrastructure has announced a new housing project at Vancouver Island University’s Nanaimo campus. The addition, already under construction, will offer 266 new beds, a 200-seat dining hall, study rooms, lounges, shared kitchens, a multi-purpose room, bike storage, shared laundry and office spaces for staff.

The 10-storey building will use mass timber, a renewable resource with a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional concrete construction and is expected to be complete within three years.