A $50,000 investment pitch competition will headline Canada’s largest Indigenous technology gathering when the Indigenous Tech Circle (ITC) brings its national conference to Vancouver in January.
ITC announced it will host the Indigenous Tech Conference on January 20 and 21, 2026, at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel, where finalists in the Indigenous Venture Challenge will be revealed and a single Indigenous-led startup will receive a $50,000 investment prize. The winner will be announced on the conference’s opening day.
The two-day event is expected to draw more than 250 founders, investors, technologists, corporate partners, and government representatives from across Canada. Organizers say the conference is designed to strengthen investment readiness and deal flow for Indigenous-owned technology companies, while showcasing the growing scale and maturity of the sector.
The announcement comes as Indigenous Tech Circle reports approximately 200 per cent year-over-year growth, positioning the 2026 conference as a shift from awareness-building to demonstrating ecosystem strength. Programming will focus on how Indigenous technology companies are being built, financed, and scaled, and how technology can support Indigenous economic sovereignty and community-led empowerment.
“Indigenous leadership in the technology sector can often feel like a solitary journey,” said Candice Loring, ITC board chair and director of Indigenous relations and initiatives at Genome BC. “This conference is our intentional act of reclaiming space and place, transforming that isolation into a profound sense of belonging and collective responsibility.”
Speakers confirmed for the event include Bobbie Racette of Virtual Gurus, Anita Pawluk of RaceRocks 3D, Shauna McAllister of R8dius, and Jeff Ward of Animikii. Sessions will cover data sovereignty and AI, investment readiness, cybersecurity, e-commerce, public relations, and mentorship, alongside founder showcases and targeted networking streams.
Registration is now open for Indigenous delegates, industry participants, and media.
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