British Columbia’s tech sector is set to take centre stage later this month as more than 300 local companies, including 250 startups, prepare to showcase their innovations at Web Summit Vancouver — one of the world’s largest and most influential technology conferences.
Running from May 27 to 30 at the Vancouver Convention Centre, Web Summit is expected to draw thousands of global tech leaders, investors, media, and innovators. Often dubbed the “Olympics of Tech,” the four-day event will serve as a powerful platform for the province to promote its rapidly expanding innovation economy.
Web Summit’s arrival comes at a pivotal time for B.C., where the tech sector is already the fastest growing in the province, boasting over 12,000 companies, 220,000 workers, and $55.5 billion in annual revenue. As global trade shifts and economic diversification becomes increasingly important, the event represents a significant opportunity to solidify B.C.’s position as a global tech hub.
The event is being organized by Web Summit, which selected Vancouver to host its North American conferences through 2027. Governments at all levels have committed $14.8 million in funding for the event’s three-year run, with Destination Vancouver projecting a $57 million boost in direct tourism spending and $93 million in total economic impact in 2025 alone.
To coordinate efforts, a new coalition called the Naturally Innovative Alliance has been established by the event’s funding partners. The Alliance is focused on boosting global awareness of B.C.’s tech sector, fostering strategic partnerships, and maximizing investment and job creation opportunities tied to the event.
Key initiatives during Web Summit Vancouver include:
- B.C. Pavilion: The largest zone on the exhibit floor, featuring over 70 startups from life sciences, deep tech, and digital media. Programming includes panels, a pitch competition, and networking events.
- Innovation & Investment Insider Tours: Scheduled for May 26, these curated tours will introduce visiting investors to leading cleantech, life sciences, and creative tech ventures across Metro Vancouver.
- International Delegations: Trade and Invest BC and Global Affairs Canada will host representatives from more than a dozen countries for meetings and events spotlighting B.C.’s innovation ecosystem.
- Naturally Innovative Alliance Website: A new online hub offering resources and guidance to help attendees and media navigate the event and engage with the B.C. tech community.
In preparation for the global spotlight, the BC Tech Association is hosting a webinar today titled Get Investor Ready: Top Tips for Web Summit. The session, part of BC Tech’s Scaleup Academy series, aims to help local entrepreneurs refine their fundraising strategies and stand out to international investors at the event.
With Web Summit Vancouver just weeks away, anticipation is building for what could be a defining moment in British Columbia’s tech journey — one that puts its innovators, ideas, and investment opportunities firmly on the global stage.
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