Vancouver’s global tech moment is about to get a little more intense.
At next month’s Web Summit Vancouver, Innovate BC is bringing a high-stakes pitch competition to the show floor with its own take on Dragon’s Den—giving early-stage companies a chance to pitch live in front of investors, media, and a packed audience.
Over two days, on May 12 and 13, twelve startups will take the stage at the BC Pavilion inside the Vancouver Convention Centre, each competing for a $10,000 prize package and the kind of exposure that can accelerate a young company’s trajectory.
The format is simple, but the pressure is real.
Each day will feature a round of pitches—Round 1 running May 12 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., followed by Round 2 on May 13 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Founders will be tasked with delivering concise, compelling pitches while fielding questions from a panel of judges made up of investors and members of the business media.
The stakes rise quickly. The top two ventures from each round will advance to the finale on May 14, where they’ll go head-to-head from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. for the top prize.
Beyond the $10,000 package, the competition offers something arguably more valuable: visibility. With Web Summit drawing thousands of global attendees—from venture capitalists to corporate leaders—the event provides a rare opportunity for local startups to pitch on an international stage without leaving Vancouver.
For attendees, it’s a front-row seat to the next wave of innovation coming out of British Columbia and beyond. For founders, it’s a chance to test their ideas under pressure, refine their narratives in real time, and potentially walk away with new backers, partners, or customers.
And for Innovate BC, the activation reinforces its role in helping elevate homegrown companies onto the global stage—right as the world’s tech ecosystem converges on Vancouver.
If nothing else, expect a few nerves, a lot of ambition, and at least one breakout moment.
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