In a region that prizes imagination, we often celebrate the spark, the pitch, the early promise, yet the real work begins long after the first idea takes shape. During a conversation with Alacrity Canada’s Director of Operations, Chris Massot, a portrait emerged of an organization that treats innovation less as an act of inspiration and more as a discipline grounded in what industries require. Alacrity Canada supports early-stage and growth-stage companies by giving entrepreneurs access to funding, mentorship, business skill development, networks and more.
Massot spoke about the steady work of listening first, mapping real demand across sectors such as cleantech, defence, export and digital transformation, then building programs that guide founders through the long journey from concept to commercial reality. This edition of Changemakers traces how that approach is helping Greater Victoria move from spark to scale, from potential to prosperity.
- What groundbreaking approach or innovation sets your organization apart as a changemaker in today’s dynamic economic landscape?
Our demand driven approach.
What sets Alacrity Canada apart is our unwavering commitment to starting with industry demand. Rather than pushing innovation for innovation’s sake, we begin by identifying real challenges and opportunities across key sectors, from clean technology and digital transformation to defence, export and beyond.
By grounding our programs and partnerships in what industries actually need, we bridge the gap between innovation and implementation. This demand-driven model ensures that the companies we support are not only visionary but also commercially viable and globally competitive. It’s an approach that has guided Alacrity’s success for over a decade; fostering sustainable growth, job creation and intentional innovation that truly moves markets forward.
Building a resilient and thriving economic future for Greater Victoria starts with cultivating strong, connected ecosystems that unite innovation, industry, and community.
Chris Massot, Alacrity Canada’s Director of Operations
- What motivated your organization to join South Island Prosperity Partnership. How does this align with your vision for societal or economic impact?
Why We Joined SIPP
Alacrity Canada joined the South Island Prosperity Partnership because we share a common vision of building a resilient, inclusive and innovation-driven regional economy. SIPP brings together forward-thinking organizations that understand the power of collaboration and that aligns perfectly with how Alacrity operates.
Our work has always centred on connecting entrepreneurs, investors and industry leaders to create real-world solutions and opportunities. Partnering with SIPP allows us to expand that impact, contributing our expertise in scaling businesses, attracting global investment and supporting industries that strengthen Vancouver Island’s economic fabric.
- In light of current global challenges, what strategies do you believe are essential for cultivating a resilient and thriving economic future for Greater Victoria?
Scaling Innovation in Greater Victoria
Building a resilient and thriving economic future for Greater Victoria starts with cultivating strong, connected ecosystems that unite innovation, industry, and community. At Alacrity Canada, we believe resilience comes from collaboration by aligning local talent and entrepreneurs with the needs of global markets while grounding growth in sustainability and inclusivity.
When local businesses and innovators work directly with established sectors, they build solutions that are immediately relevant and scalable. This approach not only drives economic diversification but also ensures that our region remains adaptable amid global uncertainty. Equally important is investing in people by fostering digital skills, entrepreneurship, and cross-sector collaboration so that the next generation of innovators is equipped to lead. By championing partnerships, practical innovation, and long-term sustainability, Greater Victoria can position itself as a global leader in creating a balanced, future-ready economy.
- With global competition for talent and investment intensifying, what unique advantages does Greater Victoria offer to stand out on the international stage?
Where Talent Thrives
Greater Victoria offers a unique combination of livability, innovation, and global connectivity that sets it apart on the international stage. While cities around the world compete for talent and investment, Victoria’s advantage lies in the strength of its ecosystem, where collaboration, creativity, and quality of life intersect.
With world-class post-secondary institutions, a thriving tech sector, and a strong culture of entrepreneurship, the region attracts top talent looking for purpose-driven work in an environment that values balance and sustainability. Companies here benefit from access to a highly skilled workforce, close proximity to U.S. and Pacific markets, and a supportive network of organizations like Alacrity Canada that help businesses scale globally.
What truly differentiates Greater Victoria is its ability to combine global ambition with community values. It’s a place where innovation doesn’t come at the expense of well-being, and where economic growth is guided by collaboration, sustainability, and long-term impact.
- Looking at the hurdles facing our region, which challenge is your organization most dedicated to addressing — and what drives this commitment?
Removing Barriers to Commercialization
The challenge we’re most dedicated to solving is Greater Victoria’s scale-up and commercialization gap, the space where promising companies stall before reaching global markets. Regional partners have warned that our economy risks stagnation without coordinated action that translates innovation into growth, jobs, and exports, so we’re focused on closing that gap fast.
Alacrity’s response is deliberately demand-driven. We build programs around what industry and international stakeholders actually need, then support founders to hit those marks with export readiness, investment preparation, and sector-specific mentorship, like our cleantech initiatives and our new APEX (Advanced Pathways for Export) initiative.
In short, we start with industry demand, remove the scale-up bottlenecks, and convert innovation into lasting regional impact.
- What upcoming initiatives or projects within your organization are you most enthusiastic about, and how will they impact our region and economy?
Scaling Local Businesses for Bigger Impact
We’re energized by two major initiatives right now: the APEX Program and the CRM Horizons Program.
1. APEX Program (Advanced Pathways for Export):
Supported in part by PacifiCan & InnovateBC, APEX delivers deep, tailored support for British Columbia-based SMEs who are ready to move beyond domestic markets. The program offers expert mentorship, in-market support, investor connections, and a global-growth roadmap.
For Greater Victoria and the broader region, this means: more local businesses scaling internationally, more export revenue flowing in, and creating high-quality jobs locally. Plus, it strengthens our region’s reputation as a launchpad off Canada’s West Coast for global business, which attracts investment, talent, and ecosystem attention.
2. CRM Horizons Program:
CRM Horizons is a training and advisory program supporting SMEs scaling their sales pipeline management through digital adoption. The program offers two distinct streams: an online bootcamp to learn the basics of customer relationship management, and tailored advisory services for businesses that need help to optimize and scale their current systems.
Why does this matter for our region? When local businesses improve their customer-engagement tools and data-driven sales practices, they become more competitive, more productive, and more scalable, strengthening the local economy from the ground up. CRM Horizons is fully funded by InnovateBC, making it accessible to SMEs across the province.
The impact on our region and economy is significant, since these initiatives bring together local talent, global markets, and scalable business models while helping shift Greater Victoria’s focus from simply innovating to commercializing, exporting, and scaling. They deepen our ecosystem by fostering more growing companies, which strengthens support infrastructure, attracts investment, and boosts the region’s reputation. They also align with the broader push for economic resilience, because when local SMEs are export-driven and scale-ready, the region becomes less vulnerable to local shocks and more connected to global opportunity.
- Fast-forward two decades: how do you picture Southern Vancouver Island? Describe the transformations that will have taken place and paint a picture of our collective future, including our economic future.
A Thriving and Balanced Economy
By 2045, Greater Victoria will have become a global tech and export hub. Local companies scale internationally, key sectors have grown into major employers, and traditional industries have modernized through sustainability and digitization.
Living Innovation, People and Place
The region attracts and retains top talent because it blends opportunity with quality of life. Housing, transit, and infrastructure have grown thoughtfully, and economic development is shaped by collaboration across business, government, academia, and Indigenous partners.
Shared Prosperity and Sustainable Growth
Prosperity is broader and more sustainable. Growth is measured by community well-being and environmental stewardship. Indigenous-led opportunities are central, and the region is globally recognized for balancing economic growth with sustainability.
Key Takeaways on Alacrity’s Impact and Vision for Victoria
Alacrity Canada stands out for its demand-driven approach, building programs around what industries truly need and helping companies commercialize, export, and scale. By joining SIPP, Alacrity strengthens a shared commitment to a resilient, innovation-led regional economy, one built on collaboration across industry, government, academia, and Indigenous partners. Its focus on closing Greater Victoria’s scale-up gap is central, supporting companies from concept to global growth through initiatives like the APEX and CRM Horizons programs. These efforts boost export readiness, improve business competitiveness, and attract investment into the region. Looking ahead to 2045, Alacrity envisions a thriving global tech and export hub where talent thrives, traditional industries are modernized, and prosperity is shared through sustainability, community wellbeing, and strong Indigenous economic partnerships.
