Advancing social entrepreneurship in the Kootenays by supporting purpose-driven innovators with the tools, training, and community to build impactful, sustainable ventures.
What is a social entrepreneur?
It's someone who starts a business that's about more than just profits—it's about making a real difference. Whether tackling social issues, protecting the environment, or improving lives in their community, social entrepreneurs care deeply about using their ventures to create positive and meaningful impact.
How we are supporting them
We provide hands-on support to individuals and organizations launching or growing social enterprises—meeting them where they’re at, and grounding everything in the realities of rural BC:
- Cohort-based incubation for early-stage and emerging entrepreneurs
- Bi-monthly workshops open to anyone exploring social enterprise
- A regional community of practice to foster peer learning and shared momentum
- Student consulting offering real-world support to social entrepreneurs and employment opportunities for local post-secondary students
OTHER COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
Starting Winter 2026 and Fall 2026. More than 200 high school students will dive into social entrepreneurship through a flexible online program, gaining mentorship, designing impactful projects to local challenges, and showcasing top initiatives. This program offers an exciting opportunity to back youth leadership, community innovation, and the long-term resilience of rural Kootenay communities.
Spring 2026 & Spring 2027
The Social Impact Summits will be vibrant, high-profile gatherings where we’ll celebrate outcomes, spotlight inspiring innovators, and showcase the bold local solutions that are transforming our region. It’s a prime opportunity to connect and see the impact unfold.
Spring 2026
Our in-person Social Enterprise Hackathon will be an electrifying event, bringing together passionate participants across four Kootenay hubs. Together, they’ll co-create actionable community-based solutions, offering a dynamic, high-visibility platform for our partners and regional stakeholders to engage and inspire.
When local people drive community change, rural regions thrive.
CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES
Mission: Possible is our Community of Practice for purpose-driven innovators in the Kootenays. It’s a space to connect with like-minded people in a fun, collaborative, and meaningful way.
Whether you’re building a social venture, supporting change, or just curious, this is your space to:
→ Learn from others
→ Celebrate wins
→ Tackle real challenges
→ Help shape a resilient Kootenays
Join our first gathering on Wednesday, February 11th 2026, 11:30am – 1:00pm PT / 12:30pm – 2:00pm MT
The Youth Entrepreneurship Program is for youth aged 14–18 across the Kootenays, allowing them dive into an interactive online program packed with hands-on exercises, real-world learning, and plenty of creative problem-solving. It’s a flexible way to bring social entrepreneurship into youth spaces, filling resource gaps and helping young people explore how business can be a force for good.
We currently have nine teachers, youth program leaders and community educators working with over 150 youth across the Kootenay region, helping youth transform local problems into brilliant solutions in our first cohort. There will be a Virtual Showcase in late May 2026 to celebrate the amazing work of these youth.
Want to know more about the program? View the recording of the information sessions held at the end of October 2025. Applications to be a youth mentor are currently closed. We will be accepting new applications in June 2026. Download our Mentorship booklet below!
The New Ente
rprise Incubation Program is an in-depth 5-month program that combines self-paced courses, expert coaching sessions, and a supportive cohort to help you confidently turn your vision into a real and impactful social venture.
We currently have six organizations from across the Kootenay region who are turning their ideas into actions. They started in October 2025 and will finish in March 2026 with a validated business idea, sensible financial projections and a clear plan for measuring their social impact.
The next cohort will run in Fall 2026, so make sure to sign up for updates to know when it opens.
If you’re interested in knowing more about the New Enterprise Incubation program, access the recording from our first cohort here or check out our information sheet. ➡️
Our bimonthly workshops are a fantastic way to gain new insights, build your entrepreneurial toolkit, and connect with other Kootenay social entrepreneurs tackling similar community challenges. Dates for upcoming workshops (further details coming soon!)
Tuesday 10 March 2026, 12:00pm – 1:00pm PT / 1:00pm – 2:00pm MT
Wednesday 13 May 2026, 12:00pm – 1:00pm PT / 1:00pm – 2:00pm MT
Wednesday 15 July 2026, 12:00pm – 1:00pm PT / 1:00pm – 2:00pm MT
January 14th, 2026 – Leveraging Post-Secondary Talen to Support Community Challenges
➡️Click here for Leveraging Post-Secondary Talent to Support Community Challenges slides
November 12th, 2025 – Building a Thriving Community: The Role of Social Enterprise
➡️Click here for Building a Thriving Community: The Role of Social Enterprise slides
Mission: Possible, our Social Enterprise Community of Practice, is a space to connect with like-minded people in a fun, collaborative, and meaningful way.Whether you’re building a social venture, supporting change, or just curious, this is your space to:
➡️ Learn from others
➡️ Celebrate wins
➡️ Tackle real challenges
➡️ Help shape a resilient Kootenays
Join our first gathering on February 11th, 2026 – 11:30am – 1:00pm PT / 12:30pm – 2:00pm MT ➡️ Register here.
Future meetings will take place on:
April 22nd, 2026 – 11:30am – 1:00pm PT / 12:30pm – 2:00pm MT. ➡️ Register here.
June 24th, 2026 – 11:30am – 1:00pm PT / 12:30pm – 2:00pm MT. Registration link coming soon.
Do you have a project that could use the brains, skills and experience of passionate local post-secondary institutions? From marketing plans to exploring new customer segments, there are local students ready and eager to support you.
Make sure to connect with the work-integrated learning teams at our local colleges:
Community Futures East Kootenay is also looking to employ Student Consultants to work with social enterprises across the Kootenay region from May to August 2026. These students will help organizations strengthen their business models, enhance their community impact, and develop sustainable strategies for long-term success. Reach out to Robyn (robyn@cfek.ca) if you have projects that you would like student support on and we can facilitate this through this program.
MAKE AN IMPACT WITH US
We’re building a bold, local, and lasting movement for social enterprise in the Kootenays – come and join us. Sign up to receive updates on the opportunities that interest you the most.
Know a non-profit, business, or individual curious about social enterprise? Send them our way! We’re here to support their journey.
Downloadable goodies:
