The Social Venture Challenge (SVC) 2016 builds upon the success of our 2015 program and continues to encourage, support and grow new social ventures in the Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton and Lillooet region through capacity building, mentorship, and raising awareness. The SVC program supports entrepreneurs with the development of their social ventures business idea/concept through capacity building, mentorship, and raising awareness.

Meet the seven SVC 2016 participants!

  1. Cutting Barriers will offer skills-based training workshops to help people with barriers to employment;
  2. Dooshi, creates pet food and treats from restaurant waste;
  3. Sea to Sky Relocations, focusing on helping retirees downsize and relocate in an environmentally responsible manner;
  4. Rainwater Harvesting Solutions with TBI Irrigation, which will help people save rainwater and promote efficient water practices;
  5. DealsinWhistler.com, a mobile coupon service that provides free, convenient and quality advertising for local businesses
  6. School Ground Gardens connects children to the source of their food, the environment, and their community through school ground gardens; and
  7. Seed Box an edible garden in a box subscription service

Congratulations to all the 2016 participants on successfully pitching their ventures at a Dragons’ Den style community pitch event. We are pleased to announce that Renee McNeil, founder of Cutting Barriers, took home the $5,000 prize from Squamish Savings.

Social Venture Challenge 2016 in the News

Social Venture Challenge names Cutting Barriers as big winner Renee McNeil won $5,000 in funding for her socially minded employment agency


Entrepreneurs lay it on the line in Social Venture Challenge. Participants compete for $5,000 prize


Centre for Sustainability kicks off 2016 Social Venture Challenge. Business mentorship course launches with March 18 event at the SLCC


Local entrepreneurs get set to make their pitch at Social Ventures Challenge event. Seven emerging businesses will vie for $5,000 on June 29 at the SLCC


Finally someone invented sushi for dogs: Dooshi Pet Supplies makes nutritional dog treats from leftover food waste


Growing little green thumbs at Myrtle Philip’s school garden. The School Ground Garden Project helps connect kids to the source of their food