DigiBC is where creativity and technology meet.
We aim to make British Columbia the world’s leading center for creative technology, ensuring that creative tech is a cornerstone in the broader technology & media ecosystem, and that the sector grows and thrives for current and future generations.
As a registered non-profit organization, we work on behalf of our member companies and stakeholders, which include video game, animation, VFX and XR companies, along with post-secondary and service organizations that comprise British Columbia’s creative technology ecosystem.Â
Our vision is to make British Columbia the creative technology capital of Canada and a global leader in animation, video games, VFX, and XR. Â
Our work focuses on these four pillars.
Working on behalf of member organizations, DigiBC engages stakeholders in creative technology to identify opportunities and navigate challenges, foster homegrown creativity and entrepreneurship, and attract world-class projects and investment to BC, enabling a strong and resilient sector for generations to come.
We ensure that our industry has the talent it needs to to thrive. DigiBC consults with post-secondary institutions on curriculum design, advocates for work-integrated-learning opportunities and subsidies, and delivers programs to help students in BC understand the range of career opportunities in creative tech.
DigiBC is committed to developing and contributing to a vibrant creative technology community in BC. We provide opportunities for people in our sector to meet, learn from, and grow with one another. We create and participate in a range of local and international events including roundtables on relevant issues, job fairs, trade missions, professional development seminars, and networking events.
Founded in 1997 under the name New Media BC, DigiBC has been working for more than 25 years to nurture and support the creative technology industry in British Columbia.Â
Initially, DigiBC was focused on creating a unified voice for the industry, advocating for policy changes, and providing networking opportunities for professionals. Over the years, we’re proud to have evolved to represent a broad spectrum of creative technology sectors, including video games, animation, visual effects (VFX), and virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR).
DigiBC, a registered non-profit organization, has played an important role in the development and success of BC’s creative technology sector through various initiatives and achievements, including:
Our work has included successfully lobbying for the Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit (IDMTC) in 2010, and expanding that program in years since to foster growth and innovation within the creative technology sector. This tax credit continues to support BC creative tech companies producing world-class interactive digital media products including video games, educational software, and interactive applications. The program has significantly impacted the creative tech industry in BC by increasing investment and growth in our creative tech sector; boosting job creation by making it more affordable for companies to develop new projects; contributing to innovation and development; and enhancing our global competitiveness. It has also provided countless smaller companies with the necessary support to compete with larger firms, promoting diversity and innovation within the industry.
DigiBC organizes and facilitates events, conferences, and networking opportunities that foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among industry professionals. We have contributed to initiatives such as Signals, the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) Immersed, the BCTECH Summit, and the Game Design Expo–to name a few. We are proud to continue our work to create a strong sense of community and to facilitate partnerships that drive innovation and business growth in creative tech.
DigiBC has worked closely with educational institutions such as Emily Carr, UBC, SFU, BCIT, Capilano University, and the Centre for Digital Media over the years to help bridge the gap between academia and the creative tech industry. We’ve worked to align curricula with industry needs and to develop successful specialized training programs and internships to promote career development in our sector.Â
Through our many initiatives such as mentorship programs, funding support, and business development resources, DigiBC is proud to have provided crucial support for numerous BC startups and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). We believe that our work has helped enable these companies to scale their operations, innovate, and compete globally, contributing to the diversity and dynamism of BC’s creative tech ecosystem.
As passionate champions of creative tech in BC, we have, throughout our history, celebrated British Columbia as a leading destination for digital media and creative technology on the global stage. Our work has attracted investment and talent to BC, justly enhancing our province’s reputation as well as our competitiveness in the global market.
DigiBC is proud to co-present alongside the Vancouver International Film Festival, the Signals Creative Tech Expo, an interactive and immersive expo that showcases truly outstanding storytelling in video games, XR, virtual production, and AI – all with a focus on world-class Canadian and Indigenous works.
DigiBC’s Board of Directors comprises up to 15 industry leaders. The Games Group (led by Jeanne-Marie Owens, Critical Path Games), Animation & VFX Group (led by Sharon Taylor, Netflix Animation), Game Founders Group (led by Carolina Ellis, Tidepool Games), and HR Group (led by Dana Ramnarine, Rhum.hr & Steph de Groot, SkyBox Labs) were formed to provide additional support for these sectors.
Executive Director
Marketing & Communications
Project Administrator
Partnerships & Events Manager
Work Placement Officer
Work Placement Officer
Signals Production & Operations Manager
Founder & COO, Critical Path Games
Board Chair
Founder & CEO, Kano
Board Vice-Chair
CFO & Co-founder, Shred Capital
Board Treasurer
Partner, Fasken
Board Secretary
Franchise Strategy Director & Executive Producer, The Coalition (Microsoft)
CFO, Kabam
President, Kickstart Entertainment
General Counsel, Atomic Cartoons / Thunderbird
Director of Technology, Walt Disney Animation Studios
Chief Operating Officer, EA SPORTS, Electronic Arts
CEO, Hyper Hippo Entertainment
Co-founder, SkyBox Labs
