web summit, FAST FIVE, helen siwak, portfolioyvr. tropoly, west coast business magazine, vancouver, bc, yvr

Fast Five Lights Up NEXUS Nights: From Rooftop to Real Talk

High above the city skyline, NEXUS Nights delivered one of the more memorable activations of Web Summit Vancouver. Co-hosted by Ryan, Ekohe, and Tropoly, the evening spanned two dazzling levels of 320 Granville Street—bringing together tech founders, investors, and creatives in a spirited celebration of British Columbia’s entrepreneurial drive. Guests filled both the sleek 28th-floor lounge and the private rooftop terrace, where a firepit flickered and 360-degree views stretched from Brentwood Village and Metrotown to the silhouettes of West Vancouver and across the border into Washington State. Gourmet bites and custom-crafted beverages were curated by the team at Edge Catering, setting the tone for networking and relaxed conversation.

Shout-out’s to these two amazing people – Lyndsay Malchuk and Neel Singh!

At the heart of the evening was the ‘Fast Five’ activation, presented by PORTFOLIO.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine. Helen Siwak, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of the proudly woman-owned publication, welcomed participants to share their insights and inspirations in a quick-fire video series filmed on-site. Each guest answered five curated questions—designed by ChatGPT and tailored to their industry expertise—covering topics from innovation to impact. The goal was simple: to capture authentic moments from those shaping the future of BC’s business ecosystem.

Matti (Luxin Photography) prepping Will Fan.

Paul Davidescu is ready to play ‘Fast Five.’

Interviews featured past Portfolio.YVR subjects and emerging leaders such as Anthony Green (Security Evangelist & Founder), Ritchie Po (Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Lawyer), Will Fan (SOLO, Emobily), and Dawn Chubai (Live Shopping & Media Coach). Special guests included Sumreen Rattan (Moment Energy), Erin Millar (Indiegraf), and Sharad Khare (Human Biography), with appearances from Peter Skaronis (TechImpossible), Carl Brodie (Stone Owl Family Office), Khaled Abbas (Pine and Co), and Paul Davidescu (Level Up Mortgages).

Ready to interview Ritchie Po.

“The energy in the room was electric,” said Siwak. “Each guest brought something uniquely inspiring to the table, whether it was a bold idea, a powerful origin story, or a vision for the future. It was the power of Web Summit that brought us all together in one space, and Fast Five gave us the perfect platform to celebrate that.”

From Web3 innovators to clean energy pioneers and creative industry disruptors, the Fast Five spotlight became a standout feature of the night—offering attendees an opportunity to reflect, share, and inspire.

NEXUS Nights was more than a party. It was a catalyst—igniting conversations that will resonate long after the rooftop lights dim.

web summit, FAST FIVE, helen siwak, portfolioyvr. tropoly, west coast business magazine, vancouver, bc, yvr

All photography by Luxin Media.

Behind-the-Scenes photography by Vladimiros Xanthopoulos.

Author Profile

Helen Siwak, Collaborator: This story is created in collaboration between Helen Siwak and the featured subject. As the founder and publisher of Portfolio.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine, Helen works closely with entrepreneurs to share their paths of innovation, resilience, and growth. Each story in this series is co-developed through interviews and first-person insights, blending authentic voices with Helen’s editorial expertise to highlight the remarkable individuals shaping British Columbia’s business landscape.