With this announcement on January 7th, 2025 comes new changes, ideas, initiatives, community output and support. In this article, we will dive into some of the questions that you may have like, What is a RIC? What can it do for my business? And what changes are coming? Before we begin, we would like to thank you all for your continued support of the SBX and we are excited to venture into this new chapter with you all!
So, what is a RIC?
Regional Innovation Centers, by definition, help entrepreneurs and innovators succeed in international markets by helping them work through challenges of developing their ideas to make them marketable and attract talent, capital and customers. Programming and services are offered to clients who are typically in early-stage or growing innovation and technology companies with the potential to expand and succeed on a global scale. RIC’s are great for regional development for businesses starting, growing or looking to expand and develop further. It will help build the talent around the area and help keep the region thriving! In our official announcement, MPP Andrea Khanjin stated, “The real goal here is to use the talent we have here, increase that talent, increase jobs and opportunity in our region,” Khanjin explained. “Have more people stay and live here, and our region can thrive and our economy can grow.” (Will Konken, Barrie 360). With the opportunity to participate in new programs, workshops, access to mentors and guidance and other fantastic opportunities, The RIC is an exciting new development that we can’t wait to share with you!
What can the RIC do for your business?
The RIC will open up new opportunities for you to participate in to grow/expand your business that was once unavailable widely to the region. Becoming a RIC client gives you access to mentorship and expert advice, training, workshops and exciting programs, connections to resources, funding and partnerships, broad market intelligence, incubation and acceleration programs and tons of other exciting things we will be able to provide! The biggest benefit of all of this is… It’s all under one roof!
What will change? What will stay the same?
At the Sandbox Centre, the day to day operations will remain the same! Want to book boardrooms? No problem! Want to work out of the co-working space? Absolutely! Thursday Social Hour on the second and fourth weeks of each month? See you there! Host an event? Get in touch with our events team! We want to assure you that while our name might evolve, the heart of who we are and the energy you’ve come to know, love, and expect from us will remain unchanged. We will still be the Sandbox—a place where creativity, collaboration, and community thrive—just with even more resources and support to help you succeed. This is a step forward for all of us, and we’re thrilled about what the future holds.
As for our valued SBX members, we know you have questions regarding the future status of your membership and just like our day to day, your membership is not just staying the same, it’s getting better! With the SBX becoming a Regional Innovation Centre, it allows for your membership to expand opportunities by granting you access to exclusive programs, mentorship and funding opportunities designed to help your business grow. It will strengthen connections by enhancing networking with industry leaders, investors and fellow entrepreneurs across the province and lastly, it will increase support with our ability to provide tailored services to accelerate your innovation journey and bring your ideas to life!!
The RIC will add to our business support and mentorship, create more access to funding, add more workshops and training, networking and support, incubation and acceleration programs, market expansion opportunities, and provide the space for all of this to succeed! Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey with us!
If you would like to hear more about the RIC and the future of the SBX, please join us Thursday January 30th from 4pm-6pm for our Social Hour where we will be presenting all of this new info to you all!!
