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 do we support 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:
Student consulting offering real-world support to social entrepreneurs and employment opportunities for local post-secondary students
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
Other Community Initiatives
High school students across the Kootenays will dive into social entrepreneurship through a flexible online program, gaining mentorship, designing impactful projects to solve local challenges, and showcasing top initiatives.
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.
Fall 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
Team Wellbeing & Retention: Real-Time Tools to Prevent Burnout in High-Impact Work
July 15th 1PM MDT
This interactive workshop, presented by Lora de Vries will share practical tools for nervous system regulation that can be used in real time, even on the busiest days.
A useful session for founders, nonprofit leaders, volunteers, and high-impact teams who want to keep caring for the work without losing sight of the people doing it.
Mission: Possible
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 next gathering on Wednesday, September 9th, 2026
11:30am – 1:00pm PT / 12:30pm – 2:00pm MT
Final Youth Mentor Info Session
Monday, September 14th, 2026
We’re looking for mentors who already work with youth groups and want to guide them through building purpose-driven business ideas using our ready-made curriculum.
This opportunity is ideal for teachers, youth workers, coaches, coordinators, and community leaders with 5+ youth already in mind.
As a mentor, you’ll receive ↓
→ Ready-to-use curriculum + support
→ $500 stipend
→ Be part of a growing regional movement
Want to learn more? Join our first info session.📅 September 14th, 2026
🕓 4:30 MDT / 3:30 PT
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.
In early 2026 we had around 100 youth working to transform local problems into brilliant solutions in our first cohort. Check out the Virtual Showcase where youth pitched their ideas to judges and awards were given, allowing two youth teams the chance to bring their idea to life.
We are currently looking for mentors who already work with youth and want to guide them through a hands-on entrepreneurship experience for our Fall 2026 Cohort.
We provide the curriculum, tools, and support, and you bring the youth you already work with. View the recording of the latest information sessions or download our mentorship booklet to find out more ⬆️. Or join our information session on September 14th, 2026 to ask questions and make sure this is the right opportunity for you and the youth you work with. Applications for mentors are due by September 17th 2026.
The New Enterprise 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.
From October 2025 to March 2026, six organizations from across the Kootenay region turned their ideas into actions. They now have validated business ideas, sensible financial projections, and a clear plan for measuring their social impact. We can’t wait to see the impact they will make in their communities!
The next cohort will run in Fall 2026, with applications due by September 12th, 2026.
Make sure to check out the information sheet and sign up for the upcoming information sessions:
Monday, August 24 , 11:30AM-12PM PT / 12:30-1 PM MDT
The Stabilize and Thrive Cohort Program is a 4-month program designed for leaders seeking to enhance their clarity and confidence and implement strategies for their organization’s long-term sustainability. It offers a guided learning experience that helps you step back from daily urgency and build the systems, practices, and decision‑making habits that support steady, grounded growth.
The next cohort will run from November 2026 to February 2027, with applications due by October 11th, 2026.
Check out the information sheet to find out more. ➡️
Bi-Monthly Workshops
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:
Team Wellbeing & Retention Wednesday 15 July 2026, 12:00pm – 1:00pm PT / 1:00pm – 2:00pm MT
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026 12:00pm – 1:00pm PT / 1:00pm – 2:00pm MT: Registration link coming soon!
May 13th, 2026 – Measuring what Matters
➡️Recording of Presentation
March 10th, 2026 – Fueling Impact: Financing Opportunities for Social Enterprises
➡️ Click here for Fueling Impact: Financing Opportunities for Social Enterprises slides
January 14th, 2026 – Leveraging Post-Secondary Talent 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
Community of Practice
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
Future meetings will take place on:
September 9th, 2026 – 11:30am – 1:00pm PT / 12:30pm – 2:00pm MT.
➡️Register here
December 2nd, 2026 – 11:30am – 1:00pm PT / 12:30pm – 2:00pm MT. ➡️Register here.
Student Consulting
Do you have a project that could use the brains, skills and experience of passionate students from 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 has employed two 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
