Developing the SOARE Innovation Center to increase impact it has on the development of the Rec Tech Section in the Sea to Sky - BC-820

Project type: Research
Desired discipline(s): Engineering - mechanical, Engineering, Human physical performance and recreation, Life Sciences, Business, Social Sciences & Humanities
Company: SOARE (S2S Outdoor Adventure Recreation Enterprise Society)
Project Length: 4 to 6 months
Preferred start date: As soon as possible.
Language requirement: English
Location(s): Squamish, BC, Canada; Canada
No. of positions: 1-2
Desired education level: Master'sPhDPostdoctoral fellowRecent graduate
Open to applicants registered at an institution outside of Canada: No

About the company: 

A development network for the Sea-to-Sky’s outdoor industry, helping businesses innovate their offering and accelerate their growth.

The S2S corridor is world-renowned in the outdoor industry as a hub for innovation, and with good reason. Between our terrain and our talent, we’ve become famous for breaking trail in rec-tech, gear, apparel design, & outdoor media.

While we are well known on the global stage, back home - when working out of solo industrial units, home offices, and on coffee shop wifi - we are a bit unknown amongst each other.

We are creating a physical and virtual space that makes it easier for businesses to meet; to share the skills, resources, and relationships that will push them even further, and cement our reputation as world leaders in the outdoor industry.

Because together, the sky’s the limit.

Our Key Goals:

• Meet - To bring together the world of outdoor industry innovators that live right on our doorstep.
• Make - To provide access to the tools and training that will lower the barrier to innovation and experimentation.
• Advocate - To open up opportunities to our member collective that would not have been accessible as individual businesses.

Describe the project.: 

Design the infrastructure and programming of the SOARE Innovation Center to be most effective for scaling and establishment member business.

Identifying and suggesting ways of implementing best practices from across other incubators, accelerators, industry and academia which we can incorporate into SOARE.

Help us meet our aims of:

• Provide useful assets to business in an accessible space
• Enable business scaling
• Enable business innovation
• Reduce barriers to entry for business

Development of the SOARE business model

• What is the best sustainable funding model?
• What is the next phase expansion for the Centre?
• What academic partners should be involved?
• What business partners should be involved (NRC/Can Export)?
• What other funds are available to us?

Environmental analysis

• Have we identified all of the potential users?
• What is the user that we should be focusing on?

Development of the services provided to members

• What are the criteria for use of space?
• How to promote innovative use of machinery in a safe and effective way?
• How should the space be designed?
• What equipment should be in the space?
• What is the best layout of equipment?
• What is best for user experience?
• What is the code of conduct?
• Wayfinding off the space, for use and tidying?
• Controlling human behavior?

Having effective messaging

• How should we promote the space?
• How to best advertise the space?
• How should the space be described on the website?

Required expertise/skills: 

• Experience and a keen interest in the Outdoor Recreation Sector
• Locally based with an appreciation of the business ecosystem in the Sea to Sky region, particularly Squamish
• Ability to work independently and autonomously
• Ability to understand the high end manufacturing machinery which we are using
• Confidence to effectively communicate, interview and build relationships with business owners and staff

Desired experience could include

• UX design
• Industrial engineering
• Product development and design
• Non-profit