TechTO is bringing Canada’s largest tech community to Vancouver for Web Summit week, hosting two events designed to connect builders, investors, and fast-growing startups as the city prepares to welcome the global tech conference.
The Toronto-based organization, which describes itself as Canada’s most connected tech community, has grown to more than 70,000 members and is now heading west with a hackathon on May 10 and a startup showcase and social on May 11.
First up is the TechTO x Althra Hackathon: Vancouver, a 10-hour event taking place May 10 at FUNK. Coffee Bar in downtown Vancouver. The theme is “build AI that remembers,” with participants receiving access to Backboard.io, an AI memory API that TechTO says is ranked No. 1 on the LoCoMo benchmark.
The hackathon is open to all skill levels, from high schoolers and university students to first-time builders and experienced tech operators. Participants can join solo or with a team, with the goal of leaving the day with a working AI app that uses persistent memory. Up to $1,000 in cash prizes and in-kind perks are available.
The following day, TechTO will host Vancouver Rocketships and Web Summit Social, the first stop on its national Rocketships tour. The event will spotlight some of Canada’s fastest-growing tech companies, nominated by leading Canadian venture capitalists and members of the local startup community.
The format is deliberately fast-paced: VCs get 60 seconds to introduce their pick, then founders have three minutes to share their company’s story, traction, and asks. Every company featured on the tour will land on the shortlist for TechTO’s annual Canadian Rocketships List, which highlights high-velocity startups attracting attention from talent and investors.
Vancouver is the first stop on a tour that will also include Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Waterloo, Atlantic Canada, and Calgary, before a finale at Toronto City Hall on December 1.
After the May 11 showcase, TechTO will host a Web Summit Social expected to bring together more than 300 builders, investors, and industry leaders. The event runs from 4:00pm to 9:00pm, with startup pitches scheduled from 4:20pm to 6:00pm and the evening social following.
Together, the two events add to a growing calendar of side programming around Web Summit Vancouver, creating more opportunities for local founders, visiting investors, and Canada’s broader tech community to connect during one of the busiest weeks of the year for Vancouver’s innovation ecosystem.
Leave a Reply