Key Figures in Canadian Tech Spearhead Speaker Roster at Inaugural INNOVATEWEST Event

INNOVATEwest, scheduled for April 16 and 17 at the Vancouver Convention Centre, is poised to be a pivotal event in the tech industry, attracting a diverse range of stakeholders and participants. The gathering will serve as a platform for fostering connections, collaborations, and insights within the dynamic tech landscape.

Hosted by Cube Business Media, the organizer behind notable Canadian tech conferences like SAAS NORTH, TechExit.io, and Tech Talent North, INNOVATEwest is positioned as a central hub for tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and corporate players. The event is expected to bring together key figures from the tech ecosystem to share knowledge and explore opportunities.

INNOVATEwest, with its anticipated attendance of 3,000 to 5,000 participants, aims to be a vibrant showcase of the diverse and innovative facets of the Canadian tech ecosystem. The event will bring together industry leaders, well-established tech firms, and emerging startups. It provides a valuable platform for networking, collaboration, and the exchange of knowledge, fostering a dynamic environment for all participants.

As a media partner for INNOVATEwest, BetaKit will play a crucial role, including hosting the inaugural BetaKit Keynote Stage. This platform will host discussions with some of Canada’s influential tech figures, offering insights into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities within the industry. For instance, BetaKit’s editor-in-chief, Douglas Soltys, will moderate a panel discussion on FinTech disruption featuring Koho founder and CEO Daniel Eberhard and Wealthsimple co-founder and CEO Michael Katchen.

The lineup of Canadian tech founders contributing to the event includes Jack Newton of Clio, Sean O’Connor of 4AG Robotics, Derrick Emsley of Tentree and Vertiree, and David Hariri, the co-founder and chief architect of Ada.

Venture capital investors from across Canada will also be present, including Danielle Graham of The Firehood, Sid Paquette of RBCx, Boris Wertz of Version One Ventures, and Althea Wishloff from Raven Capital. Influential figures such as Jill Earthy, CEO of InBC; Guy Kawasaki, chief evangelist at Canva; and Lisa Lambert, the CEO of Quantum Industry Canada, are also expected to share their insights.

Apart from panel discussions, INNOVATEwest plans to host various competitions and interactive sessions. The Grizzly Pursuit, a live pitch session involving entrepreneurs presenting to a panel of 11 venture firms from Canada and the US, stands out.The Firehood Angel Camp, a noteworthy feature of the event, is designed to empower women-led tech startups. It provides a platform for these startups to compete for a substantial prize of $100,000 in capital and valuable mentorship opportunities, aiming to foster and support innovation within the entrepreneurial landscape.

INNOVATEwest is not just about discussions; it will also include a generative AI hackathon for student teams from post-secondary institutions, alongside live demos on the expo floor. The event is designed to be a dynamic platform, fostering collaboration, idea exchange, and showcasing the cutting-edge technologies and innovations that are poised to shape the future.

David Tyldesley, co-founder of INNOVATEwest and Cube Business Media, expressed anticipation for welcoming some of Canada’s most notable tech figures, emphasizing their role in fueling the growth of technologies that have the potential to change the world.