Visionary leaders and social entrepreneurs will gather to leverage business as a force for positive social change.
The Social Venture Institute (SVI), Canada’s longest running gathering for mission-driven entrepreneurs and impact investors, is launching its inaugural Sea to Sky event, coming to Whistler April 30 to May 2, 2025.
Over three decades, SVI has built a thriving community of 3,500 social venture leaders making meaningful contributions to environmental conservation, social justice, human and planetary wellbeing, and shared prosperity. Participants have included the Founders/CEOs of Modo, Fresh Prep, Numi Tea, Reconciliation Canada, and Renewal Funds, to name a few.
Why is SVI coming to Whistler?
The Sea to Sky region is known for its gutsy entrepreneurs, creative business ventures and thirst for innovation. SVI: Sea to Sky will bring together social entrepreneurs, impact investors, and social change leaders to one of the most inspiring landscapes in BC, expanding the cross-sectoral network of peers.
The event is presented by not-for-profit Hollyhock in partnership with the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, and guidance from local business and community leaders Diana Chan, Diana Mulvey and Cheeying Ho. The agenda is stacked with Sea to Sky entrepreneurs who will offer powerful truth-telling about the challenges behind running a purpose-led business. These include a range of businesses like Ziptrek Ecotours, Lil’wat Business Group, FireSwarm Solutions and Save da Sea, to name a few.
What can participants expect at SVI: Sea to Sky?
Aki Kaltenbach, Founder of Save da Sea describes her ongoing interest in SVI: “I first attended SVI in 2013 on Cortes Island. I hadn’t started Save Da Sea yet, but I dreamed of having the courage to become an entrepreneur one day. Which is why I’m so excited to come back and present a case study at SVI: Sea to Sky—to share openly and gain practical insights from other amazing entrepreneurs. It’s terrifying to think about sharing all the tough and ugly details behind running a business, but I’ve seen firsthand how supportive this experience is, and I can’t wait to be part of it again!”
The SVI format is highly interactive. Business leaders bring real-world challenges to One-on-One Advisors, Peer Coaching Circles, and Workshops. Interactive Case Studies invite different perspectives and solutions to challenges. While forming lasting connections, everyone leaves with tangible takeaways to operate more effectively and scale up their impact.
To create significant economic and social transformation, change-minded leaders need to come together in trusting spaces to share ideas, resources and inspiration. Done right, business can be a meaningful source for good. SVI: Sea to Sky 2025 could become the first of an enduring, annual gathering, and the launch of a new network of impact-driven enterprises.
Business owners, non-profit leaders, and impact investors are invited to be a part of social and economic transformation in the Sea to Sky region. Scholarships are available to support participation.
Learn more and reserve a spot at: https://hollyhock.ca/svi-sea2sky
