Our inaugural Road to Web Summit Vancouver initiative has officially wrapped!
Since the start of the year, R2WSV has helped equip talented innovators with the tools, connections, and confidence to make the most of the first-ever Web Summit Vancouver, and we are so grateful to have collaborated with an outstanding group of Delivery Partners to offer a packed calendar of events, workshops, pitch competitions, training, and so much more.
Starting with our R2WSV Kick-Off in February, Innovate BC rolled out a series of founder-focused events — from investor readiness and media relations workshops — culminating in an full-day Bootcamp. Through this programming, we engaged more than 700 companies and 1,100+ innovators across B.C., in addition to the incredible impact made through Delivery Partner-led events across B.C.’s innovation ecosystem.
Thank you to all the startups who joined us — and the Delivery Partners whose support helped make it possible, including:
Accelerate Okanagan | AInBC | AI Summit Vancouver | Angel Forum Vancouver | Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies(COAST) | DigiBC | Ideas for Impact | Innovation UBC | Indigenous Tech Circle |In-Sec-M | Life Sciences BC | New Ventures BC |NorthX Climate Tech | SFU VentureLabs | Spring |UBC Sauder School of Business | Vancouver Entrepreneurs Forum (VEF) | Vancouver Startup Week | W Venture Studio
Web Summit Vancouver has arrived and British Columbia is ready to take the global stage
In B.C., we're innovative by nature — and Web Summit Vancouver is where we show it to the world. As leaders in cleantech, AI, life sciences, creative technology, quantum and so much more, we’re an innovation hotspot that’s at the forefront of the world’s most important opportunities.
Let’s make our mark at Web Summit Vancouver and unveil the bold, world-shaping innovation coming out of B.C.
Join us at the B.C. Pavilion Stage at Web Summit Vancouver
The B.C. Pavilion at Web Summit Vancouver is where our Ministry, partners and Innovate BC are proud to showcase B.C. tech and innovation to the world and is the best place to learn about B.C.’s innovation ecosystem and meet the companies driving it. The Pavilion will feature three days of panels, activations, keynotes, and pitch competitions, with each day themed after a specific B.C. tech sector, including digital media, life sciences, and deep tech.
Here are a few stand-out sessions supported by Innovate BC you won’t want to miss:
The 10K Pitch: BC’s Startup All-Stars
May 28-30, 1:00-1:30 PM | Powered by Innovate BC and New Ventures BC, this live pitch competition brings together 12 of B.C.’s most promising startups that previously placed in the Top 25 in the New Ventures BC (NVBC) Competition, competing for $10K in prize funding.
Connecting B.C. Solutions to Global Opportunities through the Integrated Marketplace
Announcement
May 30, 9:15-9:30 AM | Join the Government of British Columbia at the B.C. Pavilion for an exciting announcement from the Honourable Diana Gibson, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation, relating to the Integrated Marketplace, a program delivered by Innovate BC.
Panel Discussion
May 30, 9:30-10 AM | The Honourable Diana Gibson, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation, will join representatives from MarineLabs + A&K Robotics — Integrated Marketplace success stories — for a panel discussion moderated by Peter Cowan, President + CEO, Innovate BC, on how the program is connecting made-in-B.C. innovation to global opportunities.
Other opportunities to hear from our Minister and Innovate BC at Web Summit Vancouver
Policy Meets Platform: Building Secure Tech Ecosystems
May 28, 3:35 - 4:00 PM, Stage 5 | This session explores how public and private stakeholders can co-create resilient, secure, and innovative tech ecosystems. We’ll dive into real-world models of public-private collaboration, the evolving regulatory landscape, and strategies for aligning policy, innovation, and infrastructure at scale.
• Harkirat Singh, Deputy Mayor, The Corporation of the City of Brampton
• Sheila Schindel, Managing Director, Commercialization + IP Programs, Innovate BC
• Serena Nguyen, Chief Development Office, DIGITAL
• Yvonne Lau, Technology Reporter, Financial Post
Local to Global: Strategies for Tech Success
May 30, 11:30 - 11:50 AM, Stage 5 | From supporting small business innovation to attracting international tech giants, governments around the world are pursuing a comprehensive approach to economic development. This talk will explore how the various authorities are building dynamic tech economies that work for everyone. Learn about British Columbia, and Hong Kong’s strategies for developing talent, attracting investment, and creating opportunities.
• Hon. Diana Gibson, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
• Sam Reynolds, Senior Reporter, Asia Markets, CoinDesk
• Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Service and the Treasury of the Hong Kong, Special Administrative Regional Government
Check out the full stage schedule to see what’s happening each day and make the most of your Web Summit Vancouver experience.
Thank you to the 200+ B.C. founders and ecosystem leaders who joined us for Innovate BC's first-ever Road to Web Summit Vancouver Bootcamp — a full-day event with pitch coaching, investor training, and mentorship from Web Summit experts and alumni to help startups prep for the global stage.
We’re excited to share that 12 of the most promising ventures that previously placed in the Top 25 in the New Ventures BC (NVBC) Competition will be pitching at Web Summit Vancouver, taking place May 28–30, where they’ll be competing for a $10,000 prize, provided by Innovate BC.
Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) announced over $1.8M in new funding for the Integrated Marketplace to bring AI innovation to life — supporting self-driving robotic pods at YVR and advancing AI-powered digital pathology at the Provincial Health Services Authority.
Through the Province’s Integrated Marketplace, delivered by Innovate BC, a total of $3.38M has been awarded to eight projects supporting the development of innovative solutions that will strengthen key provincial industries including healthcare and port operations across partnering testbeds including Vancouver International Airport, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, and Provincial Health Services Authority.
We’re thrilled to announce the latest recipients of Innovate BC's Ignite program – five cutting-edge B.C.-based research & development projects advancing reforestation, sustainable mining practices, and healthcare accessibility among other high-impact areas, driving industry competitiveness and creating valuable job opportunities throughout the region.
May 23: At Vancouver Startup Week's wrap-up event, Innovate BC's Maggie Chan, (Interim Director, Operations), gave closing remarks, rallying excitement for the arrival of Web Summit Vancouver.
May 22: Innovate BC's Tomica Divic (VP, Strategic Partnerships + Ecosystem Development) gave opening remarks at the Okanagan Angel Summit Finale, touching on the B.C. Pavilion stage programming at Web Summit Vancouver.
May 21: At the IP Summit, hosted by New Ventures BC as part of Vancouver Startup Week, where Innovate BC's Peter Cowan (President + CEO) joined Hon. Diana Gibson (Minister of Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation) to talk about B.C's IP strategy.
May 20: As part of Vancouver Startup Week, Angel Forum held its R2WSV Venture Financing Prep Workshop, where Innovate BC's Fernanda Whitaker (Director, Partnerships) spoke on R2WSV and what's on offer at the B.C. Pavilion.
May 20: We are ecstatic to be a Diamond Sponsor of Vancouver Startup Week 2025, a R2WSV offering, kicking off the 4-day event by sharing information on Innovate BC's programming and resources at the Ecosystem Showcase.
May 13: At W Venture + Ideas for Impact's R2WSV event, Visibility Sprint: Industry Night for Women Founders, Elizabeth Dutton (COO, Innovate BC) gave opening remarks, celebrating the growing visibility of women in tech.
May 6: Tomica was thrilled to attended AInBC + AI Summit Vancouver's R2WSV event, Elevate AI to connect with the tech ecosystem on the support available through R2WSV and what to watch out for at the B.C. Pavilion during Web Summit Vancouver.
PacifiCan commemorated the start of leading tech conference Web Summit Vancouver with a $1.8 million investment in Innovate BC’s Integrated Marketplace initiative this week.
Eight local tech projects have been awarded a total of $3.38 million through the province’s Integrated Marketplace (IM) program, delivered by Innovate BC.
As Canada's reliance on U.S. produce hits the spotlight, one Ontario farmer has a pitch: locally grown, year-round produce, grown by artificial intelligence and automation.
A new project using cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technology is underway at one of the critical access points for Sea Island, the location of Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
A research team from the UNBC NALS has been working with a Campbell River-based business on developing an environmentally-friendly thermal packaging prototype.
Twelve days out from the first-ever Web Summit in North America, the tech community gathered at KPMG Vancouver for what felt more like the start of a campaign than a day of startup workshops.
Vancouver-based TIMEZYX, a cleantech innovator in digital twin and structural health monitoring technologies, took the spotlight at Stanford University’s Engineering 100th Anniversary Showcase.
Through its Ignite program, Innovate BC has allocated $1.5M to support five research & development projects across B.C. The funded initiatives span sectors including healthcare and mining.
Vancouver Tech Journal
Job Opportunities
Director, Integrated Markets
Are you passionate about advancing innovative technologies that drive real-world impact? We are hiring a Director, Integrated Markets to lead programming that connects BC tech solutions with industry needs. You’ll oversee a team delivering commercial adoption initiatives, ensuring alignment, operational excellence, and strong cross-sector partnerships.
Ready to turn big ideas into tangible impact? Join us as a Portfolio Lead, Integrated Markets to help deliver programs that connect BC-based tech with industry needs. You’ll manage projects, engage stakeholders, and support program design and evaluation — all while driving outcomes in clean tech and sustainability.
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.
Innovate BC, InBC Investment Corp. (InBC), PacifiCan and New Ventures BC's online platform offers centralized intelligence on startups, scaleups, investors, entrepreneurial resources, and investment capital flow within the B.C.
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.
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