Web Summit Vancouver will create opportunities for our tech sector to welcome the world and show that B.C. and Canada are places where innovators can launch, grow and expand their tech business.  Bringing Web Summit to Vancouver will connect B.C.’s brightest innovators and entrepreneurs with tech leaders from around the globe, creating investment opportunities and lasting benefits for the local tech ecosystem.

In 2023, Vancouver’s business events sector was valued at $1.1 billion. The WSV Conference alone is projected to have an economic impact of $57 million.

Web Summit Vancouver will generate $57 million in economic impact through visitor spending on hotels, restaurants, retailers, suppliers, small/medium businesses, and tour operators and attractions. Successfully hosting Web Summit Vancouver will also continue to reinforce Vancouver’s reputation as a world class destination capable of hosting large-scale events, which in turn will attract additional business and sporting events.

In addition to the event’s economic impact, Web Summit Vancouver will benefit B.C.’s economy by attracting a global audience of innovators, investors, global tech companies, partners, and customers to help B.C. companies scale up, anchor and create well-paying jobs for British Columbians.

WSV and its 15,000 attendees will generate significant visitor spending at hotels, restaurants, retailers, small/medium businesses, attractions and other hospitality and tourism venues across the Lower Mainland. It’s expected that many delegates will extend their stay to visit locations and attractions beyond the Lower Mainland and/or return to B.C., at a later date.

If a B.C. business is interested in attending Web Summit Rio, please contact gloria.yang-mason@gov.bc.ca

Web Summit currently does not have any opportunities for suppliers at Web Summit Vancouver. If suppliers are required, Web Summit will proactively reach out or request referrals as needed.

They can go to https://vancouver.websummit.com/partners/ or email partnerships@websummit.com

Tickets for Web Summit Vancouver are available at https://vancouver.websummit.com/tickets/attendees/

There will be opportunities to volunteer at Web Summit Vancouver. These roles are being defined and will be posted at https://vancouver.websummit.com/volunteers/

For more information, please contact Web Summit at investors@websummit.com.

For more information, please contact Web Summit at investors@websummit.com.  

To meet with B.C.-based tech companies, please email Edwina.Ramirez@gov.bc.ca .

Programming is being developed by B.C.’s Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation (JEDI). Sector leads in life sciences, AI/deep tech, digital/gaming are also being consulted. For more information, please contact BCPavilionWSV@gov.bc.ca

Road to Web Summit Vancouver (R2WSV) is a multi-year initiative aimed at leveraging Web Summit Vancouver and its power to attract investors, acquire customers and drive growth for B.C. companies. As a part of R2WSV, Innovate BC (an Alliance partner) is working with stakeholders across the B.C. tech ecosystem to develop and implement a comprehensive suite of programming, including events, training, development programs and pitch competitions that will enable B.C. companies to capitalize on the opportunities available through Web Summit Vancouver. Innovate BC also aims to maximize the participation of regional, community and industry leaders from across B.C., including Indigenous people, women, newcomers and people of colour.

To learn more, visit https://www.innovatebc.ca/events/ or contact apappone@innovatebc.ca for more information.

There are opportunities to do this through the Naturally Innovative Alliance. To find out more, please contact info@naturallyinnovativebc.ca

Naturally Innovative Alliance has a sponsorship program. Please contact info@naturallyinnovativebc.ca for more information.

Web Summit Vancouver is committed to building respectful relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities in Canada by showcasing Indigenous tech expertise and perspectives and helping Indigenous entrepreneurs get their company name in front of tens of thousands of executives, tech experts and investors from all over the world. Through its Indigenous Attendees Program, Web Summit also offers complimentary tickets to Indigenous entrepreneurs.

B.C. is home to 12,000 tech companies that collectively employ 220,000 people. Two hundred and seventy-four of those companies have 100+ employees. Technology is also the fastest growing sector in the province, contributing $25.2 Billion to the provinces GDP, with $55.5Billion in revenue. B.C. is home to 14 unicorn companies (e.g., Dapper Labs, Trulioo, and Clio)and its largest city, Vancouver, ranks first in North America in high tech job growth.

B.C. has robust life sciences sector, with a global reputation for its unicorns, its role in the development of COVID vaccines and its expertise in LS platforms that have a wide range of uses. In recent years, the B.C. government has invested more than $1.1B in the sector, which now employs more than 27,000 people and is developing technologies that are primed to revolutionize the health care sector. Countless opportunities are emerging to combine life sciences with digital technology (e.g., AI, quantum) to accelerate certain activities for a competitive edge (e.g., drug discovery). There are also key intersects and partnership opportunities between life sciences technology and deep tech, such as AI and high-performance computing, which are leading to rapid advances and investment opportunities. Key companies in B.C.’s life sciences sector include AbCellera, STEMCELL Technologies, Evonik, Amgen and Aspect biosystems.

From quantum computing through to fusion as a clean energy source, B.C. companies are developing many technologies that have the potential to revolutionize society. AI, robotics, blockchain, and quantum computing can enhance other sectors and play an enabling functions and artificial intelligence, AR/VR and cyber security are also leading the way in B.C. With B.C. home to large number of start-ups that have high potential, the province offers countless investment options and opportunities for experienced and strategic VCs and leaders to engage with these technologies, support use case development and grow them into profitable companies.

B.C., also known as “Hollywood North”, is home to a wide range of visual arts and gaming studios, from EA to Sony to Lionsgate. B.C. is a competitive jurisdiction, with a wide range of companies, exceptional talent and an experienced workforce, all of which separates it from many other jurisdictions. As the intersections between digital arts and uses across industrial manufacturing are increasing, the opportunities in B.C.’s dynamic digital arts and gaming sector continue to grow. Key companies in B.C.’s digital arts and gaming sector include Sony Pictures Imageworks, Disney, Unity Technologies, Hyper Hippo Entertainment, Bardel Entertainment, Artists Animation Studio (formerly Yeti Farm Creative) The Province of BC recently announced an increase to the Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit starting September 2025 to 25%

Life sciences: AbCellera, STEMCELL Technologies, Evonik, Amgen and Aspect biosystems.
Digital arts and gaming sector: Sony Pictures Imageworks, Disney, Unity Technologies and EA.
ICT /software development: Amazon, Microsoft, Samsung, Apple, Avigilon, NTT Data, Siemens, Fortinet, MasterCard, IBM, SAP, Sierra Wireless (Semtech), Salesforce, Fujitsu, Tech Mahindra
Advanced (aerospace/hydrogen) manufacturing: Boeing, Daimler

B.C. is home to world-renowned universities that nurture the innovators of tomorrow. The University of British Columbia (UBC) is ranked 38th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2025: Top global universities); Simon Fraser University (SFU) is ranked 15th in the world for Innovation (World University Rankings for Innovation, 2024); and the University of Victoria (UVic) is ranked 1st in North America for international research collaborations (Leiden Rankings, 2023).

The BC Pavilion is the best place at Web Summit Vancouver to learn about the cutting-edge technology and innovation coming out of British Columbia! The BC Pavilion will showcase a variety of organizations with a focus on digital media, life sciences, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence. Visit the BC Pavilion to:  hear from subject matter experts; learn about investment opportunities; network, connect, and socialize; connect with over 70 startups; experience interactive demos; be the first to hear of exciting announcements; and watch startup pitch competitions.  

Members from the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development, Pacifican, and Innovate BC will be in the BC Pavilion daily from 9:00am – 4:30pm. Please stop by and connect! Ministers and executives will be participating in events on the BC Pavilion stage on Friday May 30, 2025. Check the BC Pavilion Programming Schedule for more details.

Anyone with a Web Summit Vancouver ticket can visit the BC Pavilion booth at no additional cost. Web Summit has multiple opportunities for free and discounted tickets for different groups, including for developers, Indigenous peoples, and volunteer opportunities. For more information, please visit Web Summit Vancouver.

A complete schedule will be posted on the Naturally Innovative Alliance website in the coming weeks.