Why is the Tech Community Moving to Kelowna?

Kelowna is an established destination for tech companies and high tech workers to relocate to, and we’re seeing more and more people moving into the Valley.

Here at AO we’re obviously big fans of the Okanagan Valley, and we think Kelowna is the greatest little city in the world. Located in the heart of the Okanagan Valley on the shores of Okanagan Lake, Kelowna boasts all the amenities of a larger centre with the lifestyle of a resort town. Known for its hot summers and cool winters, Kelowna is perfect for active lifestyles. Wakeboarding, kiteboarding, biking, golf and hiking are popular activities in the summer, and when the snow falls, Big White is a short 45 minute drive away.

The Okanagan Valley is renowned for producing some of the world’s best wines, and you’ll see vineyards scattered up and down the valley. Most wineries have tastings rooms on site, and some of the best restaurants in the valley sit perched about the vines.

For a lot of people, the lifestyle offered by the Okanagan is a huge draw. Just ask Brad Kynoch, CEO of Sparketype, who recently wrote a blog post explaining some of his reasons for moving his family and business from Ottawa to Kelowna, highlighting the vineyards, lakes, sunshine and culture as the biggest draw to the Valley.

But while the lifestyle is important, it's the burgeoning high tech community here that is attracting new players in the industry. With industry leaders in information technology, video games, green technology, multimedia and more calling Kelowna home, more and more are choosing to join them. Homegrown successes like Club Penguin, Procera Networks, and QHR Technologies have proven that the Okanagan Valley is a force to be reckoned with. For Janice Taylor, CEO of Just Be Friends, it was this proven success and sense of community in the industry that caused her to move her company from California to the Okanagan.

With successful events such as metabridge and Startup Week Okanagan bringing additional attention to the area, we're expecting to see more stories like Janice and Brad's. The question really isn't "why is the tech community moving to Kelowna?" but rather "why aren't they already here?"