Welcome back to VTJ’s Midweek Memo: the Vancouver tech events and opportunities newsletter you can’t miss. In this week’s edition:
Women founders event this month
Cleantech export opportunities
Fall fundraising strategies
UPCOMING EVENTS
🗓 Wednesday, September 17 | Register
Join Vancouver Tech Journal and Global Public Affairs for a powerful evening of real talk, actionable insights, and inspiring stories from women who are shaping the future of tech, startups, and investing.
Whether you're a founder, investor, aspiring entrepreneur, or ally, this conversation will leave you energized, informed, and better connected.
Our speakers include:
Jeanne-Marie Owens, Co-Founder & COO, Critical Path Games
Leah Hanvey, Co-Founder & Director, Tensory Technologies
Annika Ng, Co-Founder & COO, Blossom Social
Moderator: Nicole Brassard, VP, BC, Global Public Affairs
🗓 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 FORESIGHT CANADA
International markets for cleantech ventures
As global climate issues intensify, so does the demand for innovative, sustainable solutions—and BC’s cleantech ventures are stepping up to the challenge.
Foresight's new BC Export Reports highlight the global market potential of cleantech solutions for the water, mining, transportation, and forest bioeconomy sectors. The reports offer valuable insights into high-opportunity international markets, key challenges, and practical strategies to help local innovators expand globally.
Whether you're exploring international growth or just starting to consider it, these reports are your essential guide to turning BC’s cleantech strengths into global impact.
Learn more:
💧 Water
⛏️ Mining
🗓 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?
SPONSORED BY FASKEN MARTINEAU
Legal advice from startup, to scale-up, to exit
Is your idea set to redefine an industry? For over 30 years, Fasken has helped thousands of startups transform their vision into tangible impact. Our fixed-fee startup program includes formation, IP strategy and venture capital fundraising services. Learn more.
🗓 Saturday, September 13 | 🎟 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.
🗓 Thursday, September 18 | 🎟 Register
Join Coffee Club, a casual, no-pressure meetup designed to bring together founders, investors, and operators. Whether you're based in Vancouver or just visiting, it’s an opportunity to connect with fellow B2B SaaS enthusiasts and VCs in a relaxed and welcoming setting.
🤝 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 NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
Break into tech social
Join Northeastern University at Browns Socialhouse QE Theatre on September 18, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM for a Break Into Tech Social event. Discover how 1,200+ students transitioned to tech careers through the Align Master’s Program. Enjoy appetizers and learn about your path to a computer science master’s!
🗓️ 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.