Week of May 29, 2020
Government Announcements / Policies / Funding
- Free Online Coding Workshops for Kids in BC – May 24
From creating online games to building websites, students in the province now have access to free online coding workshops through the Ministry of Education’s website, Keep Learning BC. - Government Announces ‘Find Financial Help During COVID-19’ Tool – May 22
The online tool provides individuals with information on federal, provincial and territorial benefits programs available to them, including the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB), the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), and the Canada Child Benefit top-up, as well as mortgage and student loan deferrals. - Hotline for Small Businesses Needing Financial Planning Advice – May 25
The Government of Canada will support the launch of a four-week hotline service called the Business Resilience Service. This will help entrepreneurs and small business owners in need of financial planning advice, particularly those who may not have access to an accountant. The service will also be open to not-for-profit organizations and charities.
Industry-Related News
- Playstation 5 to be revealed on June 4th – May 29
- Mobile gaming sees record weekly downloads amid COVID-19 lockdown – May 28
- Xbox boosts responsible gaming strategy with Family Settings app – May 27
- VR theatre doesn’t seem so distant anymore – May 18
- UBC grads create app for small businesses struggling during COVID-19 – May 15
- The First Nations Technology Council works to ensure Indigenous peoples are fully participating in the tech sector, and they see the potential of BC’s fastest growing industry playing an integral role in advancing economic reconciliation. The FNTC has put together two programs, Foundations and Futures, to help create opportunities for Indigenous people to thrive in the emerging digital economy and the growing Indigenous innovation ecosystem.
Signal Boosting / #GiveBack / How Can I Help?
- #DifferentTogether Campaign: Pledge to Fight Racism in BC
DigiBC joins The Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of BC, the Business Council of BC and many others in pledging to uphold the Canadian values of diversity and inclusion, and to oppose racism and hate in all of its forms. We’ve read about some of the recent attacks in BC. Let’s fight COVID-19, not each other. Please join us in supporting the #DifferentTogether campaign.
Upcoming Virtual Events of Interest
June 1-3: VR/AR Global Summit Online Conference
June 23: NGPX: New Game + Expo
August 4-6: Venture Summit Virtual Global | Connect
August 4-6: Game Developers Conference Summer – Online
August 25-29: Gamescom Online
- CanExport SMEs ***Now Adapted for Virtual Conferences***
Apply online for up to $75,000 in CanExport SMEs funding to cover up to 75% of your international market development activities. Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may choose up to (5) export markets to target, where your company has no or minimal business.