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 April, or visit our events calendar for a full list of upcoming programming.
April 1 | Join Innovate BC for an exclusive investor readiness event designed to help B.C. startups effectively engage with global investors at Web Summit Vancouver. With 600 investors expected to attend the conference — from angels to top VC firms across Canada, the U.S., Japan, and beyond — this session is designed to equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to succeed.
April 9 | This hybrid event will feature a panel discussion with top PR experts, seasoned journalists, and a Web Summit representative who will provide insights into media engagement opportunities at the conference. Learn what makes a startup story compelling, how to craft a pitch that resonates with the press, and best practices for securing media coverage before, during, and after Web Summit.
March - May 2025 | From Accelerate Okanagan, an 8-week program designed to expose entrepreneurs and accredited investors to the world of fundraising and angel investing.
April 2, 9, 16, 23 + 30 | From New Ventures BC, a seminar series running throughout April giving startups the information needed to build and grow their business.
April 3 | From SFU VentureLabs + Garibaldi Capital Advisors, this fourth seminar in this series is focused on reaching out to a list of investor targets.
April 8 + 22| From W Venture Entrepreneurial Society, an intensive workshop designed to equip women founders with the visibility, media presence, and investor confidence needed for Web Summit Vancouver.
April 15 | From Vancouver Entrepreneurs Forum, Spring + CICE, this event showcases the power of women in tech as 20 trailblazing founders pitch their innovative solutions to a panel of investors and mentors.
April 17 | From SFU VentureLabs + Garibaldi Capital Advisors, this fifth seminar in this series is focused on reaching out to investors and engaging them in an opportunity to invest in you.
April 15-16 | From ABCMI + COAST, discover how new innovations are transforming B.C.’s maritime sector while connecting with the province’s growing blue tech community.
We’re thrilled that the Province of British Columbia has committed an additional $30 million in Budget 2025 to support the Integrated Marketplace programto continue accelerating innovation across the province and tackle critical priorities for British Columbians, including productivity, emissions reduction, health and safety, and more.
Marking the 25th anniversary of B.C.'s largest and longest-running tech competition, this year's edition is featured as part of the R2WSV line-up of programming and events, awarding over $250K in cash and prizes to B.C.-based startups.
The current call of the program runs from March 17 to April 28 and awards up to $100,000 to fund B.C.-based farms for projects to adopt innovative technology that can improve labour efficiency.
Through the first intake of the B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program, Von Hardenberg Farms, a family-owned dairy farm located in the Dewdney B.C., received $150K to support them in purchasing an autonomous irrigation and manure application system with the goal of increasing yields and lowering costs. We spoke to Chris Von Hardenberg, the farm’s owner, to learn how this new technology and the program have impacted their business.
Feb 26: Peter Cowan, Innovate BC's President + CEO, attended Life Sciences BC's 10th Annual Access to Innovation event, where he spoke on the IP Policies to Advance Innovation panel, hosted by Oyen Wiggs.
March 4: At AWS's Runway to Web Summit, Vancouver Edition, Innovate BC's Tomica Divic, VP, Strategic Partnerships + Ecosystem Development, joined a panel on cloud technology and AI, sharing insights on innovation's value and how B.C. startups can make the most of Web Summit Vancouver.
March 13: Fernanda Whitaker, Director of Partnerships at Innovate BC, spoke at Exporting Best Practices for B.C. Cybersecurity Companies, a R2WSV event hosted by Trade and Invest BC, Global Affairs Canada, and In Sec M.
March 25 + 26: At theClean Fuels Canada Summit, Lucie Hiltner, Managing Director, Integrated Marketplace Solutions, delivered remarks on two panels about federal and provincial policies shaping clean fuels, and transforming medium and heavy-duty transportation.
March 27: Michael Gleboff, Innovate BC's Communications + Community Manager spoke at Life Sciences BC'sR2WSV Media + Spokesperson Training Session, where B.C. startups received guidance on interviews, spokesperson roles, media landscaped and question preparation.
March 27: At the New Ventures BC Competition Kick-Off, a R2WSV event moderated by Fernanda Whitaker, Jinny Wu, Innovate BC's Director of Marketing + Communications shared information on R2WSV and how it can help B.C. startups prepare for May's conference.
The first time A&K Robotics’ self-driving mobility pod moved through Vancouver International Airport, it wasn’t an official airport service. It was a live test—one that few young startups get the chance to deliver.
B.C. has lost sight of the path to prosperity, say economists. Could Trump's tariffs help us find our way back? This is Part 2 of Postmedia’s How Canada Wins series.
Jessica Yip’s fingers dance across the interactive screen of a small electric vehicle as she selects a retail store, then the robot drives itself to her chosen destination inside Vancouver’s airport.
Have a tech startup you’re looking to get off the ground running? Now’s your chance to get a head start at B.C.’s largest and longest running tech startup competition.
Twenty trailblazing women founders in tech will take the stage at R2WSV: Innovation with Impact: Women in Tech, an exclusive Road to Web Summit Vancouver event.
Innovate BC is proud to deliver a sector development initiative to help B.C. startups maximize their Web Summit Vancouver experience and capitalize on its potential to support their growth.
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.
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.
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.
