👋 Wondering what the government and B.C. tech leaders have cooked up to get you ready for Web Summit? We’ve got you covered. Vancouver Tech Journal has broken down Innovate BC’s Road to Web Summit plan, which includes more than 18 standalone events to help you get set for the big conference. We’re also offering you tips on how to get in if you can’t secure a ticket.
Plus, Web Summit isn’t the only major expo coming up — SXSW is also on the horizon, and the Frontier Collective wants you to join the Vancouver startups it’s taking down to Austin, Texas to capitalize on the investment opportunities. Find out more about what it’s looking for in your application.
And for the introverts who would rather avoid the networking circuit, we’ve got a great selection of stories for you this week, from the new rules for local companies raising capital to the 12 businesses that have received $1.5 million from Innovate BC and IRAP. Plus, dive deep into the state of Vancouver’s healthtech funding, and read more about how one company is transforming mineral discovery with AI.
-Kate Wilson, managing editor
P.S. Do you want to win a Garmin Venu 3S smartwatch (worth $599)? Take our two-minute survey to help us build the best newsletter for you and your Vancouver colleagues, and you’ll entered into the draw!
🗞️ FROM VTJ
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🤝 FUNDING & DEALS
Who said there wasn’t money in the local tech ecosystem?
PacifiCan, the federal economic development agency dedicated to B.C., announced over $17 million in funding for 10 organizations this week. The cash injection will help businesses in key sectors — such as life sciences, clean technology, and construction — to scale up their operations.
Of the 10 recipients, seven are located in the Greater Vancouver area: Circle Innovation, Discovery Foundation, Foresight Canada, Life Sciences BC, Light House Sustainability Society, SFU, and UBC. Each project is receiving between $600,000 and $2.5 million, and more details on their plans can be found here.
PacifiCan says the money will help small and medium-sized businesses to grow by enhancing access to investment capital, customers, and commercial networks here in B.C., as well as across Canada and in international markets. As the need for home-built products increases as tariff threats force countries to look inward, PacifiCan’s cash couldn’t come at a better time.
🚨 Want all of the latest funding and deals announcements? VTJ members got it in their newsletter. Not a member? Fix that now.
IN OTHER NEWS
This week, UBC announced which 10 companies will be entering its Hatch venture-building program.
Hatch helps to propel early-stage venture growth, working with entrepreneurs to develop their companies through rigorous finance, sales, and marketing training. It also offers mentorship from Entrepreneurs and Executives in Residence (EiRs), access to funding opportunities, and is one of the only incubators or accelerators in Vancouver that provides office space for its companies.
Among this year’s crop are Binta Financial, a company that makes it easier for newcomers to attain financial inclusion and housing, which we ran a feature on last week ahead of Black History Month. Other startups accepted to the accelerator include those working on RNA and nanomedicine, silicon photonics components for quantum tech, and technical clothing.
🚨 VTJ members got 12 more stories like these in their Morning Report newsletter. If you’re not already a member, fix that now.
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💡 IDEAS & INSIGHTS
“Elon Musk. Mark Zuckerberg. Jeff Bezos. What do they all have in common?” writes Steven Chua, PR associate at Vancouver-based Mind Meld.
All have made appearances on podcasts doing long-form interviews, he says, which is a rapidly growing new media format that has doubled in popularity since 2016.
Mind Meld, a Vancouver-based PR agency that works specifically with tech companies, says a number of its clients have asked it to get them podcast interviews (and that it’s already booked four this week.)
“Let’s say you’re thinking of going on a show for the first time,” Chua writes. “What’s next? How are you going to approach these interviews? Here are some things to keep in mind for your next podcast interview.”
👀 CAN’T MISS
February 26 | 🎟️ #VTJTalks: The Global Risk Playbook: Insights for Tech Founders: For Vancouver entrepreneurs and leaders, this event is your guide to navigating the challenges of 2025. With Canadian political shifts, a brash new U.S. government under Donald Trump, and global uncertainty fueled by AI disruptions, inflation, and evolving supply chains, the stakes have never been higher for tech leaders. Hear from experts in global affairs, venture investing, and startup growth, including experienced founders and advisors, as they share strategies to manage risk, seize opportunities, and build resilient businesses in turbulent times.
➡️ Get tickets
🚨 Remember: VTJ members get early access and 50% off all our events as well as exclusive gatherings. Don’t miss out — if you’re not already a member, fix that now.
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