The Social Venture Institute (SVI), a long-standing incubator for social impact leaders, is setting down roots in Whistler with its first-ever Sea to Sky event this spring.
Running April 30 to May 2, the event marks the 30th anniversary of SVI and aims to bring together purpose-led entrepreneurs and changemakers from across the region for a hands-on experience of peer mentorship, real-talk case studies, and community-centred business solutions.
SVI director Laurel Dault, who also leads the non-profit Hollyhock Leadership Institute, said the time was right for the gathering to extend into the Sea to Sky, a region already home to a vibrant community of impact-minded entrepreneurs.
“SVI started at a time when being a mission-driven entrepreneur was weird,” Dault said. “Over three decades, we’ve built an ecosystem that’s had a ripple effect—a force for good, not just for profit. Alumni of Hollyhock moved here during COVID, and folks living in the Sea to Sky saw the need for this kind of gathering.”
With guidance from Whistler locals Diana Chan, Diana Mulvey and Cheeying Ho, and partnerships including the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, the event will showcase homegrown talent. Local businesses like Ziptrek Ecotours, FireSwarm Solutions and Save Da Sea are set to share the behind-the-scenes stories of navigating the bumpy road of running a purpose-led company.
Save Da Sea founder Aki Kaltenbach, a returning participant from the early Cortes Island days, is one of several entrepreneurs returning to present a live case study. “It's terrifying to think about sharing all the tough and ugly details behind running a business,” she said in a release. “But I've seen first-hand how supportive this experience is, and I can’t wait to be part of it again.”
More than just a speaker series, SVI’s format puts collaboration front and centre. Participants will dive into one-on-one coaching sessions on everything from HR to fundraising, take part in peer coaching circles and small-group strategic workshops, and bring their toughest challenges to the table for real-time feedback. Topics range from navigating conflict to sourcing financing, with a full agenda designed for practical, actionable takeaways.
“This isn’t a sit-and-listen conference,” said Dault. “We serve anyone who wants to make change through their business. Whether you’re running a restaurant or working in HR, how you care for your employees or source your materials are decisions that shape your impact.”
Networking remains a cornerstone of SVI’s legacy, with participants consistently rating relationships formed through the institute among the most valuable aspects. According to Dault, even virtual versions of the event foster deep connections. “I continue to hear about relationships that last years after the fact,” she said.
As the B Corp movement and demand for purpose-driven businesses continue to grow, Dault hopes this first Whistler edition of SVI could spark an annual tradition and help solidify a region-wide network for social and economic transformation.
Scholarships are available to support participation. Interested attendees can find more information at hollyhock.ca/svi-sea2sky.
