ABOUT VENTURE CONNECT

Venture Connect got its start in 2007 when the team at Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot (CFAC) began researching demographic trends affecting Canadian businesses. While Canada's population was growing, the number of working-age individuals was declining, signaling the beginning of a significant shift: a boom in business ownership coupled with a shortage of future entrepreneurs. Recognizing the potential impact this would have on communities and local economies, CFAC launched a series of research initiatives, pilot projects, and succession planning programs.

A notable milestone in this work was the production of Generation Exit in 2010, a groundbreaking video that highlighted the profound effect retiring business owners would have on communities across Canada. The project demonstrated an early understanding of the demographic and economic challenges associated with business succession and helped bring national attention to the issue.

Building on this vision, Lori established Venture Connect in 2011 as a subsidiary of CFAC dedicated to supporting business succession and transition planning. The organization was initially financed and owned by six Island-Coast Community Futures offices: Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot (Port Alberni), Powell River, Sunshine Coast (Sechelt), Cowichan (Duncan), Central Island (Nanaimo), and Mount Waddington (Port McNeill).

Since 2012, under Lori's leadership and with the expertise of Lead Business Advisor Darrell Goertzen, Venture Connect has grown from a regional initiative into a trusted business succession specialist serving communities throughout Western Canada, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island. Through its specialized advisory services, Venture Connect has facilitated hundreds of successful business sales, ownership transfers, and succession outcomes, helping preserve local businesses, protect jobs, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of local economies.

In December 2022, the timing and conditions were right for CFAC to acquire the interests of the five partner Community Futures offices. As a result, Venture Connect became a wholly owned subsidiary of Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot, positioning the organization for its next stage of growth while continuing its mission to support business owners, entrepreneurs, and communities through successful succession planning.

Today, Venture Connect remains at the forefront of Canada's business succession landscape, helping address one of the country's most significant economic transitions by ensuring that viable businesses continue to thrive across generations.

Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot (CFAC) is Venture Connect's owner and founder. CFAC provides strong connections to the Associations and member offices of Community Futures' across Canada. 

Community Futures organizations are dedicated to the economic growth and prosperity of businesses and communities in rural and remote Canada, which is where priorities between the two entities overlap. Community Futures clients are supported through Venture Connect services, and Venture Connect guides clients to the services of business support agencies such as Community Futures.

Venture Connect originally served clients in British Columbia, but in 2022 expanded its reach to include Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. In 2026, Venture Connect services were being offered throughout the rest of Canada. Just as our founder's research and demographic predictions from 2007 anticipated, all Canadian provinces and territories are experiencing a growing need for services to help keep local businesses operating and to connect entrepreneurs with rural communities.