North Bank Innovations Establishes Strategic Relationship with The VIC to Fuel Innovation in Southwest Washington

VANCOUVER, WA – August 2025 — North Bank Innovations (NBI), a tech incubator and hub for founders, startups, and innovation in Clark County, today announced it will formally locate its Startup Tech Incubator at the Vancouver Innovation Center (The VIC). This marks a milestone partnership that strengthens NBI’s support for high-growth entrepreneurs and deepens the VIC’s identity as a regional innovation ecosystem.

North Bank Innovations has supported founders in Clark County for nearly a decade by providing education, resources, and founder events. “This next stage of launching a tech incubator is driven by the momentum we have seen in our local community, says Dave Barcos, Founder of NBI, “Two years ago we had a small group of about 400 people who subscribed and came out to our events. Last month we just crossed over 1350 that are subscribed and attend our events! It’s awesome to see the energy in the community.”

The new space at the VIC adds coworking for founders and technical talent, plus a startup incubator featuring top-tier Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIRs). From drop-in office hours to hands-on technical services, NBI will help founders tackle the critical work needed to grow. “This level of expert guidance simply hasn’t existed specifically focused in SW Washington for founders building cutting-edge tech and high-growth startups,” says resident advisor Christopher “C3” Croteau.

The VIC, a 179-acre visionary redevelopment by New Blueprint Partners and Rabina, offers over 700,000 SF of flexible industrial and office space. Designed to foster collaboration through thoughtfully curated indoor/outdoor amenities, The VIC is evolving into a 20-minute mixed-use neighborhood blending innovation, living, and community.

As Southwest Washington’s main startup hub, NBI hosts open community events such as Startup Conversations in the Couve and Vantechy, along with informal gatherings to foster connections. With its expansion to The VIC, NBI will also grow its programming, including more public and member-only events. This expanded access to mentorship, monthly meetings, and capital positions NBI as a catalyst for SW WA founders and startup innovation.

Why This Matters

Purpose-Aligned Location: By relocating to The VIC, North Bank aligns its mission-driven programming with an ecosystem that visually and physically embodies innovation, entrepreneurship, and growth.
Connectivity: NBI members will benefit from The VIC’s highly flexible workspace, access to contract manufacturers (e.g., home to SVI Electronics), and proximity to new light-industrial and residential neighbors. Together, this environment supercharges cross-sector collaboration.
Expanded Support Infrastructure: At The VIC, NBI can scale its founder-first programs, including digital advising forums, Resource Council participation, and key startup events like Startup Couve Coffee and Vantechy, within an environment designed for innovation.

Statements from Leadership

"This is more than a move—it’s an elevation of our mission," said Dave Barcos, Founder of North Bank Innovations. "The VIC brings space, energy, and potential—and we’re thrilled to forge our future here alongside so many emerging ventures."

Looking Ahead

As North Bank settles into The VIC, it plans to:

Open a community co-working space with hot desks and meeting room access.
Host curated educational sessions, mentorship circles, and tech showcases in the VIC’s flexible campus venues.
Serve as the connective tissue between startups, investors, and corporate innovators within The VIC network and the PNW region.
Scale its community programs to support the next wave of high-impact founders shaping the Pacific Northwest’s future.

The ecosystem at The VIC now serves as both a home and anchor for innovation in Clark County—where smart ideas become real businesses, and communities grow stronger through collaboration.

Incubator Launch Event

To celebrate this exciting new resource for the area, North Bank and The VIC are hosting a public launch party on September 25th from 4:30 – 7:30 PM. This grand opening will celebrate the founders, startups, investors, organizations, and civic leaders> We invite you to come out and meet the members of this thriving ecosystem. For more details and tickets, visit: https://lu.ma/v4fi2s4g

About

North Bank Innovations (NBI)is proud to announce the launch of our newly formed 501(c)(3) nonprofit, dedicated to accelerating the growth of early-stage, high-growth startups in Southwest Washington. Building on more than a decade of cultivating our region’s startup community, this new structure expands our vision and capacity — enabling more programs, stronger connections, and a greater number of curated events. Through our events, programs, startup incubator, coworking space, technical assistance, and advisory services, North Bank empowers founders to turn bold ideas into thriving, scalable companies.

The Vancouver Innovation Center (The VIC) is a redeveloped, mixed-use innovation hub in Vancouver, WA. Owned by New Blueprint Partners and Rabina, it features flexible office, lab, industrial, and amenity-rich space that supports modern innovation ecosystems.

For additional details email us at: info@northbankinnovations.org