Our Tectorian of the Week for April 25 is Warren Brown, chairman of Procura.

Why Warren, and why now?

Warren Brown and the team at Procura together represent all of the potential of Victoria’s tech community, and show where we’ve been and where we’re going.

Founded in Victoria twenty years ago (that’s basically before email and internet were a thing, and before there was much in the way of a tech industry here), Procura now provides software to 12,600 users and 600 agencies throughout Canada, the US and Australia.

This company (conveniently headquartered near the future home of Fort Tectoria) also has offices in Chicago, Florida, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Like the majority of Victoria’s tech companies, Procura sells internationally, meaning the company often gets little recognition here in its own backyard.

So Warren knows a thing or two about launching a successful startup and building a sustainable business.

He’s been through just about every trial and tribulation a technology company can experience – Warren has not only survived but has thrived.

And here’s the real reason why Warren Brown is the Tectorian of the Week: he gives back to the community by providing his knowledge and hard-earned insights to help his peers build their own tech businesses, right here in Victoria.

And let’s not forget that Procura sponsors the excellent live band that makes the annual VIATeC Technology Awards such a fun time.

So Warren Brown and the team at Procura are part of Tectoria’s DNA. They’re part of our success, past and future.

Our Tectorian of the Week for April 17 is Jake West, a teacher (among many other cool things) at the Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry (PSII).

As an educator at PSII, a local school devoted to helping young people “know the world in deep, connected and authentic ways,” Jake West is fostering the next generation of disruptors.

“Jake and his team approached us with a small project focusing on repairing a device to its old working order,” says VIATeC’s Dan Gunn. “Once we got a sense of the team’s enthusiasm we saw the opportunity to level up and do something far more unique that will capture the interest and imagination of Victoria’s tech community.”

In collaboration with VIATeC and Victoria’s Limbic Media, Jake and his students at PSII are working on a project for VIATeC that when finished, will tour to hundreds of conferences and events.

PSII: Taking Ideas to the Next Level

“The project is taking an old stationary binocular stand the had originally been used by Tourism Victoria to look out into the Inner Harbour, then had been gutted from the inside to install a ViewMaster,” says Adam Foeller. “The PSII team is now retrofitting the binocular stand to house an arduino board, a power source, and an LCD screen which will show videos that have to do with the Technology Community in Victoria.”

Adam Foeller is VIATeC’s facilities manager. Adam is passionate about things that function properly, and was, like Dan, impressed by Jake and his PSII team.

“Jake brought a few of the kids by, I explained to them our problem, and they took our idea to a higher level and dove into the project head first,” says Adam. “Jake’s students researched and sourced the necessary equipment, and got down to work.”

Currently, Adam says, the PSII students are in the process of running into roadblocks, attempting new iterations, and teaching themselves how to solve problems.

“This project is showing Jake’s students what real-world projects and problem-solving looks like,” says Adam. “Also, by working with Limbic Media, they are being exposed to an incredibly talented and creative group of tech professionals who are showing them that you can make a living by ‘playing’ at what you love.”

Jake West: Facilitating the Best Education at the Right Time

What is Jake West’s role in all of this?

“I facilitate learning experiences for our students,” says Jake. “At PSII, we think in terms of competencies rather than subjects, and this approach mirrors the tech industry. Technology companies don’t always care what courses someone has taken in university, but care more about skills to get the project done.”

In the tech sector, Jake says, credentials are not important. Students can lead and push limits right away.

“While they work on this project with VIATeC and Limbic, the students feel as though they are working for their own technology startup… which they truly are,” says Jake.  “Working on a project like this in collaboration with organizations like VIATeC and Limbic is the best education at the right time.”

Stay tuned for project updates from VIATeC, Limbic, and Jake’s team at PSII.

Jake and PSII are looking for bright, inspired students to study with them starting in September. Contact us for more information about this innovative school.