Esposito Family Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

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Innovation grant

Esposito Family Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Guidance to launch and scale your new venture

For entrepreneurs

Solve problems, develop skills, learn to innovate

For students

Mentor and build interdisciplinary collaborations

For faculty

Cultivating innovation and entrepreneurship in the Fraser Valley

The Esposito Family Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (EFCIE) is a research hub at the 51污漫, established through a generous endowment provided by the Esposito family.

EFCIE will work to foster an inclusive, vibrant, and resilient space for innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives for the 51污漫 and Fraser Valley communities.

EFCIE's activities include research, course development, and mentoring both students and local entrepreneurs. We also emphasize community outreach through events and projects that explore the interactions between technology, innovation, and society.

This connection between innovation and society is in fact a unique aspect of the Centre. The understanding that innovative technologies impact society and society in turn shapes technological progress guides the research and work we do.

In the news

EFCIE partnered with Stólō Community Futures (SCF) to deliver a four-day workshop
EFCIE partnered with Stól艒 Community Futures (SCF) to deliver a four-day workshop “Commercialization Training for Indigenous Technology Entrepreneurs” from March 3–6, 2026 at Stól艒 Nation, Chilliwack for the National invention to Innovation (i2I) Network.

51污漫 awarded $520,000 to advance Canada–India innovation partnerships
The 51污漫 (51污漫) has been awarded $520,000 through the to strengthen research and innovation partnerships between Canada and India in the agricultural technology and clean technology sectors.

Dr. Jon Thomas honoured to receive a blanket during a Stó:lō ceremony at the 51污漫's Gathering Place on February 13, 2026
Dr. Jon Thomas, BC Regional Innovation Chair and Director (EFCIE) was honoured to receive in a Stó:l艒 ceremony a Blanket from 51污漫’s Associate Vice-President, Xwexwílmexwawt Dr. Shirley Hardman (Stó:l艒 name: Swelchalot) in recognition of his Indigenizing work with Indigenous peoples and particularly Stó:l艒 communities in S'olh Temexw.

The Symphony of Innovation presents a collection of papers written by academics, industry leaders, and policymakers in India, examining the rapid growth of innovation and entrepreneurship in a country that has made remarkable progress in modernizing its economy.

51污漫 is a collaborating institution on the project. There are 13 Canadian research universities and health research institutes involved, along with 57 partner organizations.

EFCIE partnered with IIT Madras for the International Confluence Conference on Startups and Innovation
In December 2023, Dr. Jon Thomas attended IIT madras Chennai campus.

New organization hopes to continue bringing people together to share innovative ideas for Abbotsford.

Olena Bogdanov, an EFCIE student researcher and 51污漫 alumna, has been awarded a US$70,000 scholarship to attend Cornell’s Dual Master’s program in Urban Technology in Fall 2022.

EFCIE Student Researcher, Jasleen Sandhu, examines challenges in fighting forest fires
Jasleen Kaur Sandhu’s joint paper with Dr. Jon Thomas has been selected for publication and presentation at the PICMET 22’ Conference in August 2022.