Over the course of  two years the Valley's technology workforce has increased by 1,049 people 害羞草研究所攖he equivalent of five companies the size of Kelowna-based QHR Technology, which recently sold for an estimated $170 million.

That, as well as a number of other impressive statistics was the focus of a 2015 report on the tech industry commissioned by Accelerate Okanagan and released this week.

害羞草研究所淭echnology innovation is rapidly transforming every industry and sector,害羞草研究所� said Accelerate Okanagan害羞草研究所檚 CEO, Raghwa Gopal.

害羞草研究所淣early all business is becoming 害羞草研究所榯echnology-enabled害羞草研究所�. The growth we害羞草研究所檙e seeing is being driven from companies across the whole region, from Salmon Arm to Osoyoos, in a wide range of sectors 害羞草研究所� including agriculture, energy, healthcare, software, telecommunications, and advanced manufacturing.害羞草研究所�

In 2015, the Okanagan technology industry contributed $1.3 billion to the overall Okanagan economy, including direct revenues of $1.02 billion generated by technology companies, and an indirect impact of $284 million from businesses supplying inputs to the technology sector. These figures  represent an increase of over $300 million of revenue contribution to the Okanagan economy since 2013 - an unprecedented 30 per cent growth rate in two years.  In 2013 the overall BC technology industry contributed $23 billion to the economy, with a 5.2 per cent annual growth.

According to the 2015 economic impact survey, the Okanagan Valley is home to 633 technology businesses with a collective workforce of 7,600 employees, with the average business employing eight people. For reference, the 2013 Okanagan study showed 558 technology businesses with a workforce of 6,551 employees

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 really gratifying to see this growth trend in our local technology sector,害羞草研究所� said City of Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran. 害羞草研究所淚t has taken vision and hard work by Accelerate Okanagan, local technology companies and local governments to establish an environment where talented young people want to live and excel in their work.害羞草研究所�

Commissioned by Accelerate Okanagan, the study was conducted by a third party researcher with Small Business BC, and was focused on assessing two-year growth of the Okanagan technology sector, further to a similar 2013 report.