The Vancouver Business Thread

[spm2013]

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[GlassCity]

I imagine we might see some regional offices but there won't be a boom of Calgary's size

[Alpine]

Apologies for the free paper blogspammy article, but what do you think about this guy's argument?

Not enough big local tech firms: expert

By Michael Mui, 24 Hours Vancouver
Wednesday, January 22, 2014 5:36:00 PST PM

With giants such as Hootsuite, Microsoft, Amazon, Twitter and Facebook setting up offices in Vancouver, the casual observer might think large technology firms are fuelling B.C.’s digital boom.

After all, according to Discovery Parks executive director Mark Betteridge, tech is the fastest-growing sector in the province — ranked second in job creation, and the third largest in B.C.’s gross domestic product.

And with about 100,000 people working in the $20-billion industry, “It’s bigger than forestry and mining combined in terms of employment,” he said Wednesday at an Urban Development Institute event.

But the vast majority of these workers are not employed at big international firms. Though tech workers make wages 52% above the B.C. average, Betteridge said the tech boom is actually an explosion of risky startup firms, primarily funded through family resources and people he defined as “angel” investors.

http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/2014/01/22/not-enough-big-local-tech-firms-expert

[PaperTiger]

Originally Posted by Alpine

Apologies for the free paper blogspammy article, but what do you think about this guy's argument?



http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/2014/01/22/not-enough-big-local-tech-firms-expert

You are right. That article is about as deep as a Ke$ha song.

I think it is little more than kvetching from a guy whose company is based on developing suburban office parks. It’s like he’s saying “These little start-ups aren’t building headquarters next to EA in Burnaby. What good are they?”

[LeftCoaster]

If those stats are true I think that's great news. The more seeds you plant the more big trees grow.

Vancouver needs more entrepreneurs.

[PaperTiger]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

If those stats are true I think that's great news. The more seeds you plant the more big trees grow.

Vancouver needs more entrepreneurs.

Exactly,

The best jobs are at the HQ, not the branch office.

[spm2013]

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[Alpine]

I wonder...if that ISP promising 1Gbps fibre to the home had taken off, how would it have affected Vancouver's entrepreneur scene?

[spm2013]

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[officedweller]

The article has a pic of the new Microsoft sign on the old Pivotal Building:


http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/2014/01/22/not-enough-big-local-tech-firms-expert

[theKB]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

If those stats are true I think that's great news. The more seeds you plant the more big trees grow.

Vancouver needs more entrepreneurs.

Vancouver is in fact a very limiting place for entrepreneurs when you take everything into consideration. Rather unfortunate.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by theKB

Vancouver is in fact a very limiting place for entrepreneurs when you take everything into consideration. Rather unfortunate.

Can you be a little more specific? I know a number of people who have started business, all successful, some amazingly so.

Actually I can't even think of somebody who has failed off the top of my head.

[Klazu]

Originally Posted by Alpine

I wonder...if that ISP promising 1Gbps fibre to the home had taken off, how would it have affected Vancouver's entrepreneur scene?

What do you mean 'had'? Has that company already gone belly up?

I was curious about their service after hearing about it, but they didn't offer anything for individuals, so I went with Novus instead.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Klazu

What do you mean 'had'? Has that company already gone belly up?

I was curious about their service after hearing about it, but they didn't offer anything for individuals, so I went with Novus instead.

When is Novus going to improve or re-work their TV service? The old equipment/system they are using is embarrassing... and keeping me from switching (back) to them

[theKB]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Can you be a little more specific? I know a number of people who have started business, all successful, some amazingly so.

Actually I can't even think of somebody who has failed off the top of my head.

I guess it is more dependant on what sector you are in to be more specific. Retail or restaurants is a tough go.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by theKB

I guess it is more dependant on what sector you are in to be more specific. Retail or restaurants is a tough go.

So I understand, I have one friend who's started a successful restaurant, and another manufacturing business.

Another friend on his 2nd restaurant. The first one was a success, 2nd TBD.

A third friend who's had a successful retail business...

Only the first one has complained about red tape, but mostly provincial laws not the COV...

YMMV I guess.

[PaperTiger]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

When is Novus going to improve or re-work their TV service? The old equipment/system they are using is embarrassing... and keeping me from switching (back) to them

Totally off topic but...

I just switched to Novus after years with Shaw. I couldn't be happier. The internet is faster and more reliable, the customer service is better, and its way cheaper (Like $30-35/mo less). So a can't get FOX in HD? Totally worth it.

(No, I don't work for Novus)

[LeftCoaster]

Ran into the Pacific Northwest LNG website today and checked out the hiring page. It looks like almost all the office jobs and operations will be handled out of Vancouver. Good news for the city.

http://pacificnorthwestlng.com/work-with-us/current-opportunities/

[Denscity]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Ran into the Pacific Northwest LNG website today and checked out the hiring page. It looks like almost all the office jobs and operations will be handled out of Vancouver. Good news for the city.

http://pacificnorthwestlng.com/work-with-us/current-opportunities/

Awesome that it'll all be in Vancouver!

[spm2013]

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