“I am running to address the cost of living crisis, sustainable economic development, strong public health services, resilient communities, good jobs, and investment for the infrastructure we will need.”

Wei Chou is an entrepreneur, supply chain professional, community organizer and startup mentor with experience building businesses, supporting workers and helping new ventures grow.

Wei grew up in Port Moody after coming to Canada in 1997. His professional background includes technology startups, supply chain management and work with Local 40, the hotel workers union.

In 2019, Wei founded a Vancouver-based technology startup and grew it from zero to $1.7 million in revenue while leading a 14-person team and developing supply chain partnerships across Asia and North America. When the risks of continuing the business became too great, he made the decision to wind it down while ensuring his employees were paid.

That experience, along with later periods of working multiple jobs and relying on community supports, shaped Wei’s belief that economic policy should put people and communities ahead of short-term profits.

Wei now mentors entrepreneurs and researchers through Innovation UBC, Lab2Market and New Ventures BC, supporting more than 40 people working to turn new ideas and technologies into viable ventures. He has a particular interest in social enterprise, solidarity economies and clean technology.

His community work has included helping organize climate justice events across Metro Vancouver and bringing together public institutions, nonprofit organizations, businesses and residents. During the COVID-19 PPE shortage, Wei also helped coordinate the sourcing and delivery of 20,000 surgical masks, N95 respirators and hospital gowns for frontline healthcare workers.

Wei is running in Port Moody-Burquitlam to bring his experience in entrepreneurship, supply chains, community organizing and emerging technology into public service, with a focus on affordability, sustainable economic development, strong public health services, resilient communities, good jobs and the infrastructure needed for the future.