Welcome back to VTJ’s Midweek Memo: the Vancouver tech events and opportunities newsletter you can’t miss. In this week’s edition:
Tomorrow is BC Founder’s Day
Grants for hiring tech workers
Save your spot for all 2025 #VTJTalks
UPCOMING EVENTS
🗓 Wednesday, August 27 | Register
Building a startup is thrilling — but it can also be all-consuming.
This edition of #VTJTalks brings together founders who’ve faced the pressures of startup life head-on — and made intentional changes to avoid burnout, find clarity, and build more sustainably.
You’ll hear from:
Lauren Sudeyko, founder & CEO, Sleep or Die
Ada Slivinski, strategic advisor & Exited Founder
Michelle de la O, co-founder, MyHomemaker
Dana Stephenson, co-founder & CEO, Riipen
Brandon Chapman, principal, SaaS Wealth Insurance
🗓 Wednesday, October 29 | Register
Raising capital is never easy — and in today’s market, founders need more than just a great pitch to secure the right investors. This edition of #VTJTalks brings together experienced Vancouver founders and ecosystem leaders to share their real-world fundraising stories, lessons learned, and practical strategies for success.
SPONSORED BY HIGH TECHNOLOGIES FACILITIES GROUP
Vancouver's tech office experts
Connect with The High Technology Facilities Group at CBRE – leaders in sourcing office space for BC’s startup and unicorn companies. The HTFG excels at helping clients find unique workspaces that drive productivity, reflect values, attract top talent, and fuel workplace culture.
🗓 Wednesday, November 19 | Register
This #VTJTalks roundtable brings together BIPOC founders, innovators, and ecosystem champions for an honest, solutions‑focused conversation on what it takes to thrive in tech while breaking barriers for the next generation.
🗓 Wednesday, December 10 | Register
Vancouver’s tech and innovation sector has seen explosive growth over the past decade — from AI and biotech breakthroughs to world‑class climate tech and gaming studios. But as we enter the second half of 2025, the big question is: Are we living up to our potential as a leading innovation hub?
🗓 Thursday, August 21 | 🎟 Register
BC Founders Day is a single-day, founders-only event that brings together up-and-coming founders with experience from across the province.
Join a full day of panels followed by a special "office hours" event, where you can meet all of the speakers and many more experienced mentors. The day wraps up with a networking happy hour.
SPONSORED BY BRAINSTATION
Designing vision for large-scale products with Slack’s Andrew Gosine
Join BrainStation Vancouver for an exclusive conversation with Andrew Gosine, Principal Designer at Slack, as he shares how he shapes the vision for one of the world’s most widely used communication platforms.
From defining product strategy at scale, to simplifying complex systems, to designing for diverse and unique user needs, Andrew will reveal how thoughtful design can empower millions daily.
What you’ll learn:
1️⃣ Architecting vision: Leading product strategy for Slack’s desktop experience
2️⃣ The art of simplification: Turning complexity into seamless user journeys
3️⃣ Designing for all: Inclusive design principles that drive innovation
🗓 Saturday, August 23 | 🎟 Register
This is an opportunity for tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and innovators to come together, share ideas, and build valuable connections in a relaxed and inviting environment.
There’s no agenda—just great conversations and even better connections. Whether you’re a seasoned tech professional or new to the industry, everyone is welcome.
🤝 NEW OPPORTUNITIES
🗓️ November 20, 2025 | Apply
Submit an application to the Innovator Skills Initiative, designed to increase diversity in the tech sector and help B.C.-based businesses fill talent shortages and grow. The program provides grants to employers that are hiring for tech or tech-related roles.
🗓️ Ongoing | Apply
Apply for this cost-sharing grant program that funds small, medium and large enterprises to support skills training for their workforces, including prospective new hires.
SPONSORED BY VRIFY
Data can be a goldmine. VRIFY’s AI-Assisted Mineral Discovery Platform, DORA, helped Cartier Resources uncover high-value targets, proving how AI can extract game-changing insights from legacy data and reshape the future of mineral discovery.
🗓️ Ongoing | Apply
Submit an expression of interest for Digital’s co-investment program, designed for projects focused on unlocking the opportunities in the mining and energy sectors.
👋 YOUR COMMUNITY
🗣 VTJ Community Slack | Can’t make it to any in-person events? Network and chat with your friendly neighbourhood tech professionals using our dedicated Slack.
🗓️ Vancouver Tech Events Calendar | All local events in one place.
💪 Become a VTJ Corporate Member | Get your brand in front of thousands of tech professionals, investors, decision makers, and leaders. Get in touch today.
