Welcome back to VTJ’s Midweek Memo: the Vancouver tech events and opportunities newsletter you can’t miss.
In this edition:
AI is leaving the screen and entering the physical world
Leadership lessons from women founders and funders
Frontier Summit, SFU Innovation Week, and Tech Days all coming up
UPCOMING EVENTS
🗓 Wednesday, October 7 | Register
The financial technology landscape is evolving faster than ever, and staying ahead means understanding both the opportunities and the guardrails. Join us for this #VTJTalks session as we dive into how fintech innovators are pushing boundaries while navigating an ever-shifting regulatory environment.
You’ll learn about:
Emerging trends shaping the future of fintech, from new technologies to evolving business models
The regulatory landscape, including insights on compliance and what it means for founders and investors
Spotlight on fintech startups — hear directly from up-and-coming companies innovating in the space and the challenges they're tackling head-on
🗓 Thursday, October 15 | Register
AI is stepping out of the screen and into the physical world. From humanoid robots and autonomous machines to smart factories and intelligent sensors, AI is no longer confined to chatbots and dashboards - it's learning to sense, move, and act in real environments.
In this edition of #VTJTalks, we will explore the dawn of the Physical AI era and how it will reshape industries, workplaces, and everyday life. Bringing together perspectives on AI, hardware, and real-world engineering, this conversation unpacks the technologies bridging the digital and physical worlds - and what leaders, builders, and innovators need to know to stay ahead.
🗓 Monday, October 19 | Register
Vancouver Tech Days is back for round two. Vol. 1 sold out in five days and went over capacity — proof that this city's builders want more than another networking mixer. They want real playbooks from teams that have actually scaled.
Vol. 1 speakers included Sarah Huggins (Hiive), Don Murray (Safe Software), Edward Chiang (Moment Energy), James Clift (Durable), and Gary Agnew (Ideon Technologies) — and Vol. 2 is shaping up to be even bigger.
SPONSORED BY PHS COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY
Together, we can improve food security in the DTES
With your help, PHS is strengthening the Vancouver Food Program through critical infrastructure improvements that will increase capacity, stability, and resilience for years to come.
Plans include a purpose-built kitchen to protect meal production from service disruptions, expanded cold-storage capacity to better manage food supplies and emergency preparedness, and a centralized production hub to support current and future meal preparation needs.
These investments will help ensure that PHS's daily production of over 3,900 nutritious meals continues to reach thousands of extremely vulnerable supportive housing and shelter residents who rely on PHS Food Program every day, while creating a more reliable and sustainable food system.
Learn how your support can make a lasting impact by visiting and making a donation: https://www.phs.ca/community-events-food-security/
🗓 Wednesday, November 18 | Register
Behind every great company is a story of vision, resilience, and bold decision-making. In this session, we bring together women who are shaping the entrepreneurial landscape as founders building companies from the ground up and as funders backing the next generation of ideas.
Join us for an inspiring conversation where our panelists share the leadership lessons they've learned along the way: navigating challenges, taking risks, building teams, raising capital, and creating space for others to succeed. Expect candid stories, hard-won insights, and practical advice you can take back to your own journey
SPONSORED BY SHAWNIGAN RETREATS
Your escape on Vancouver Island
Shawnigan Retreats offers the perfect cozy retreat for family gatherings or romantic getaways. Nestled by the serene Shawinigan Lake, our luxurious accommodations feature a sauna, hot tub, games room with ping pong, cards, and board games, and even a private pickleball court. Enjoy nearby hikes through breathtaking nature and unwind in comfort. With space for up to 18 guests, Shawnigan Retreats promises an unforgettable experience.
Explore Shawnigan Retreats and plan your getaway today. Learn more about Shawnigan Retreats.
🗓 October 6-8 | Register
Frontier Summit 2026 takes 150 hand-selected world-leaders to journey beyond the surface.
Over three days, founders, builders, innovators, policy makers, investors, and more gather to explore human potential in an ever-changing technological landscape.
🗓 October 13-15 | Register
Join SFU for a series of events for Innovation Week, including pitch competitions, panel sessions and fireside chats with prominent BC innovators.
Each day is ticketed separately so you can attend what matters most to you. Register for one day or join for the full three days.
🤝 NEW OPPORTUNITIES
🗓️ 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.