Vancouver has rapidly emerged as a global epicentre for artificial intelligence, clean technology, and digital innovation, with Canadian companies increasingly commanding a strong presence on the world stage. As the country invests heavily in future-focused industries, homegrown ventures are pushing boundaries in AI, machine learning, fintech, and sustainability. With its unique mix of talent, investment, and policy leadership, Canada is no longer just participating in the global tech economy—it is helping to shape it. Web Summit Vancouver, the newest addition to the world-renowned series, offered a timely platform to showcase this momentum, placing Canadian innovation squarely in the international spotlight.
A GLOBAL GATHERING OF TECH INNOVATORS
Web Summit Vancouver made a striking debut by welcoming 15,727 attendees from 117 countries to the city’s vibrant tech ecosystem. A record 1,108 startups from 64 countries exhibited—an unprecedented turnout for a first-year Web Summit Vancouver edition. The most represented sectors included AI and machine learning, SaaS, healthtech, fintech, and cleantech, reflecting global demand for sustainable, data-driven solutions.
INVESTOR CONFIDENCE AND MEDIA PRESENCE
Web Summit’s reputation for catalyzing startup success remained firmly intact. According to Crunchbase, companies that participated in last year’s Collision event in Toronto—Web Summit’s former North American counterpart—raised a combined $1.2 billion in the following 12 months. This established a tone of anticipation and opportunity for founders participating in Vancouver.
A total of 681 investors joined the event, including Thiel Capital, Khosla Ventures, 500 Global, and Initialized Capital. Corporate funders like Deloitte Ventures and GO Ventures further enriched the funding landscape. On the media front, 550 journalists from outlets such as The Financial Times, Forbes, MIT Technology Review, China News Service, and Korea IT Times attended to cover the summit’s 345 featured speakers.
THOUGHT LEADERS OPEN THE CONVERSATION
Opening night featured AI thought leader Gary Marcus, who addressed the evolving ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence, while Jay Graber, CEO of Bluesky, explored how decentralized social media could shift power away from centralized tech giants.
INCLUSIVE TECH FOR ALL
Representation and inclusion were key themes throughout the summit. Forty-four percent of participating startups had at least one female founder. Web Summit supported women in tech through mentorship, curated networking, and discounted access, alongside initiatives aimed at amplifying underrepresented communities. Partners such as PORCH Community, Scale Without Borders, Black Engineers of Canada, The Forum, TOAST, and Latincouver helped shape inclusive programming, including six Impact Masterclasses addressing Indigenous tech, women in leadership, digital rights, and immigrant talent.
INTERNATIONAL DELEGATIONS BUILD BRIDGES
Web Summit also welcomed a record 50 trade delegations from across the globe. Countries like South Korea, Austria, Türkiye, Ukraine, and Japan sent representatives, while Canadian regions including Montréal, Nova Scotia, and the Yukon used the platform to extend their global business reach. Partner Startup Islands gave additional exposure to startups representing national pavilions and innovation initiatives.
To spark connections, Web Summit hosted 88 curated meetups using its proprietary Summit Engine. These focused on both industry trends and regional collaboration—topics included AI in healthcare, gaming, quantum computing, and international community building.
PORTFOLIO.YVR FAST FIVE ACTIVATION LAUNCHES
Among the standout local initiatives during the week was an activation by Portfolio.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine, held during the exclusive NEXUS Night at Grant Thornton Tower. Co-hosted by Ryan, Ekohe, and Tropoly, the evening welcomed 150 curated guests from Vancouver’s innovation ecosystem. At the heart of the activation was the Fast Five Challenge, an on-camera rapid-fire interview series featuring 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 many others.
Helen Siwak, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Portfolio.YVR, shared: “Web Summit Vancouver provided the perfect launchpad for our Fast Five Challenge. It allowed us to spotlight BC-based innovators in a space that was both dynamic and international. Our region is rich with talent, and this event gave us the opportunity to amplify these voices in a meaningful way.” Siwak also confirmed that the upcoming June issue of the magazine will be dedicated to BC’s AI and tech innovators, celebrating the individuals and companies that are shaping the future from Canada’s West Coast.
A NEW ERA FOR CANADIAN TECH DIPLOMACY
Web Summit Vancouver not only marked a powerful debut in Canada but also elevated British Columbia’s position as a beacon of innovation, inclusion, and global ambition.
Images provided by Web Summit via Sportsfile.
Author Profile
- Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Marketing & Communications Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine and PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Post-pandemic, she has worked with many small to mid-sized plant-based/vegan brands to build their digital foundations and strategize content creation and business development. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at helen@ecoluxluv.com.
Latest entries
Events & ConferencesJune 4, 2025Innovation Taking Centre Stage at Inaugural Web Summit Vancouver
Events & ConferencesJune 3, 2025Fast Five Lights Up NEXUS Nights: From Rooftop to Real Talk
People of Portfolio.YVRMay 24, 2025Kris Krug: Taking AI and Art to New Heights with Future Proof Creatives
People of Portfolio.YVRMay 24, 2025PORTFOLIO.YVR: Ritchie Po is the Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Lawyer Your Company Needs
