Welcome back to VTJ’s Midweek Memo: the Vancouver tech events and opportunities newsletter you can’t miss.
And now, in this week’s edition:
Robots, drones, and the future of firefighting
Why 95% of AI pilots never transform
Is Vancouver living up to its potential?
UPCOMING EVENTS
🗓 Tuesday, November 25 | Register
According to the MIT State of AI in Business 2025 study, 95% of Generative AI pilots fail. Despite massive investment, most organizations remain stuck in the GenAI Chasm: adoption without transformation, pilots without measurable ROI. Yet, a small group - the 5% who succeed - are showing an emerging path forward.
Join Vancouver Tech Journal and GovAI.fm for an honest conversation about what it really takes to cross — or fall into — the GenAI chasm.
SPONSORED BY PHS COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY
Make a difference
Cold, wet weather brings misery for people living in the streets.
Homelessness is a humanitarian emergency, and supportive housing provider PHS Community Services Society is urgently seeking corporate partners to care for people who need their support services.
Your organization can help by donating, planning a fun team-building kit-packing event to assemble care kits, or hosting a third-party event. To talk about ideas, reach out to Kelly at [email protected].
PHS operates more than 1,950 units of supportive housing and truly accessible sheltering in Vancouver and Victoria along with community supports that include recovery, Indigenous health programs, affordable dentistry and low-barrier banking.
Your support can help PHS care for people in desperate need who urgently need a path back to independence. Click here to donate to PHS.
🗓 Wednesday, December 3 | Register
Vancouver Tech Journal, MistyWest and HardTech Forum are bringing together a panel of experts to discuss how technology is reshaping wildfire management with tools like automated aerial fire suppression, real time data from stratospheric imaging units, and perimeter control with robotic firelines.
🗓 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?
🗓 Wednesday, November 19 | Register
Canada’s tech and creative tech sectors continue to evolve at a rapid pace — from shifting pay transparency laws to the growing impact of AI on People & Culture practices. Join TAP Network and Mercer for an exclusive one-hour webinar to unpack the latest data and insights from the 2025 Tech Sector Salary and Total Rewards Survey.
*Sponsored Listing
SPONSORED BY FASKEN MARTINEAU
Transforming life sciences with cutting-edge solutions
Innovation propels the MedTech sector forward. As one of Canada’s leading technology and life sciences law firms Fasken can help you navigate IP, financing, M&A and regulatory requirements, ensuring you set the right business strategy to achieve success. Tomorrow starts here. Own it with us. Learn more: Biomedical Technologies | Services | Fasken
🗓 Thursday, November 20 | Register
Join Safe Software for FME Breakfast of Champions! Connect with fellow data enthusiasts, hear from CEO Don Murray on what’s new in FME, learn from customer stories, and enjoy breakfast, networking, and branded swag. All industries welcome!*
*Sponsored Listing
🗓 Friday, December 12 | Register
The event highlights cutting-edge capstone projects in AI, VR/XR, and gamification, alongside a range of other innovative work by Northeastern University students — including research-driven and applied projects from across programs.
🤝 NEW OPPORTUNITIES
🗓️ November 27, 2025 | Apply
NorthX is inviting all eligible and interested applicants to apply to its 2025 Wildfire Tech Call for Innovation. Through this call, up to $3 million in non-dilutive investments will be awarded to Canadian-based innovators developing commercial pathways to scale hard-tech wildfire management solutions across the value chain that directly address associated emissions.
SPONSORED BY FORESIGHT CANADA
A New Budget, A New Strategy
The newly unveiled Budget 2025 signals a major shift toward industrial strategy, unlocking $1 trillion in investments for growth and resilience. Cleantech adoption can help you capitalize on this opportunity. Learn how.
🗓️ 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.
👋 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.
