Are you a B.C. startup gearing up to attend Web Summit Vancouver?
Delivered by Innovate BC and other exciting Delivery Partners, the Road to Web Summit Vancouver (R2WSV) is here to help B.C. innovators capitalize on the wealth of opportunities available at the conference this May with tailored events and programming that will give you the skills you need to make impactful connections, share your story and drive growth.
Check out the events below to see what’s happening in May, or visit our events calendar for a full list of upcoming programming.
R2WSV Bootcamp: Getting Your Startup in Peak Shape for the Global Stage
May 9 | Preparing for Web Summit Vancouver is no small feat, which is why we’re excited to host B.C. startups that have been accepted into Web Summit’s Startup Program and participating in the B.C. Pavilion at our upcoming R2WSV Bootcamp! Invites have gone out – register soon.
The bootcamp focuses on optimizing mindset, fine-tuning pitches, and building strategies for navigating the fast-paced Web Summit environment. From investor meetings and customer acquisition to media engagement, we're helping B.C.’s delegation develop the skills needed to succeed on the global stage.
May 1 | From SFU Venture Labs + Garibaldi Advisors, this seminar focuses on aligning investors, securing a lead, negotiating terms, and syndicating to close your deal.
May 6 | From AI Network of BC + AI Summit Vancouver, an event featuring AI startup showcases, a Go-to-Market Readiness Panel, a How to Pitch Your AI Company session, and strategic networking.
May 8 | From Life Sciences BC, this session will focus on preparing businesses for investor engagement, covering health tech investing trends, investor decision-making, market impacts, and more.
May 9 | From Indigenous Tech Circle, this session is designed to help startups confidently communicate their story, vision, and value—on stage, in meetings, and across the floor.
May 20 | From Angel Forum Society, this workshop is designed for founders starting tech companies who are seeking first-time funding and need financial and legal guidance to navigate the process confidently.
May 20-23 | This 4-day event helps transform, support and elevate local startups. With a focus on innovation and global connectivity, VSW provides invaluable resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
May 22 | From Accelerate Okanagan, six startups will take the stage for their final opportunity to pitch to this year’s group of angel investors in hopes of taking home an investment of $180K.
May 26 | From Indigenous Tech Circle, this gathering is your chance to meet fellow Indigenous leaders, share stories, and build relationships before the main event kicks off.
This month, we were thrilled to launch the inaugural IP Hub — a one-stop shop where B.C. innovators can find tailored education and resources to help them understand, protect, and leverage their intellectual property for business growth. The Hub features an IP Maturity Level assessment tool, localized programming, a calendar of upcoming education events, a library of helpful materials, and more.
Vancouver International Airport is deploying MistyWest’s industry-first MistyVision sensor technology through the latest Integrated Marketplace projectto transform how traffic and road conditions are monitored on Sea Island, helping improve traffic flow, safety and infrastructure development.
In preparation for standing out on the global stage at Web Summit Vancouver, almost 200 founders and ecosystem partners showed up online and in person for our latest R2WSV event, Beyond the Pitch: Crafting Your Startup’s Media Story, where PR pros, journalists, and media experts shared tips for startups on building visibility, pitching to the press, and leveraging the vast media presence at May's conference!
Thank you to everyone who tuned in for Innovate BC's Beyond the Pitch: The Investor's Perspective: Building a Fundable Startup R2WSV event, where seasoned investors shared insights for startups on crafting compelling pitches, engaging investors, expanding networks, and making the most of Web Summit Vancouver.
April 2: Life Sciences BC hosted its Showcase Series: Vancouver Island, exploring the Island's latest developments and cutting edge research and innovation, with Innovate BC's Peter Cowan (President + CEO) delivering insights into R2WSV.
April 15:VEF, Spring + CICE hosted Innovation with Impact: Women in Tech, a R2WSV initiative spotlighting women-led companies, where Innovate BC's Jinny Wu (Director, Marketing + Communications) gave opening remarks.
April 16: Innovate BC's Michael Gleboff (Communications + Community Manager), spoke at the 2025 ABCMI & COAST Innovation Forum, discussing opportunities available at Web Summit Vancouver for B.C.’s marine and ocean sectors, and how to prepare through R2WSV.
April 17: At the Runway to Web Summit, Victoria event, Peter spoke alongside the Hon. Diana Gibson (Minister of Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation), connecting with Victoria's business community.
April 23: Innovate BC's Tomica Divic (VP, Strategic Partnerships + Ecosystem Development) joined DigiBC's R2WSV event, Elevate, to speak on key events, resources and initiatives that can help B.C. startups prepare for WebSummit Vancouver.
Innovate BC has launched its new IP Hub, a digital platform designed to support innovators in building and implementing an effective IP strategy to help grow their businesses.
As Vancouver gears up for the inaugural Web Summit on Canadian soil, the spotlight is on BC’s tech founders—and how they choose to tell their stories. With more than 600 global journalists descending on the city, the stakes (and opportunities) are high.
Vancouver Startup Week (VSW) 2025 is set to return this May, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem builders for a high-energy week of networking, learning, and deal-making.
The competition, presented in partnership with Innovate BC, supports early-stage tech ventures across the province and has become a fixture in the BC startup landscape.
From Innovate BC, register and connect to a wide range of critical IP information, partners, resources, training programs, funding supports, and events to build and execute an effective IP strategy.
To support your business through the evolving trade relationship between Canada and the U.S., we have compiled a list of tools and resources to help you build resilience and make informed decisions in the face of shifting market conditions.
If you're hosting a tech networking, business development or industry showcase event in the lead-up to or during Web Summit Vancouver, submit it to the event calendar on this new website representing the alliance of funders supporting WSV.
Supported by the Province of British Columbia through Innovate BC, Alacrity Canada can help you optimize your CRM journey with a self-guided bootcamp or tailored 1-on-1 CRM advisory.
InBC actively invests in B.C. companies. Learn more and check if your company is a fit to be considered for investment and guidance.
Innovate BC’s office is situated on the traditional and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are grateful to work with innovators from across the traditional and unceded territories covering all regions of British Columbia.
.jpg?upscale=true&width=220&upscale=true&name=6807d93e04d6cd4da007c441%20(1).jpg)
![Angel_Summit_BlogHeader_4[70]-1](https://info.innovatebc.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Angel_Summit_BlogHeader_4%5B70%5D-1.png?upscale=true&width=220&upscale=true&name=Angel_Summit_BlogHeader_4%5B70%5D-1.png)
-1.png?upscale=true&width=740&upscale=true&name=Media%20(3)-1.png)
