- COMPANIES SEEKING $3M+ IN FUNDING
- ‘Series A’ Funding Pitches
- Companies ready to seek next level funding from investors are invited to apply for the opportunity to deliver 5-minute investment pitches, followed by 5-minute Q&A session with a panel of eager investors.
- Seed Funding & Industry Feedback Roundtable Series
- A valuable one-to-one opportunity to network with potential investors. Set up as roundtable discussions this format is open to all startup types including those seeking seed investment or capital of under $3m and those seeking advice from experienced investors and industry leaders.
- Two networking coffee breaks
- Lunch & Learn
- Early evening networking reception
- Tech@NIGHT - 2019 #BCTECHSummit Kick Off Party (Ticketed Event)
- Investors Breakfast - (Investor Invitation Only)
- Investors Dinner - (Investor invitation Only)
- Series A Pitching - for organizations seeking $3m+ in funding. Presenters will have 5-minutes of stage time to pitch their product/service to investors, followed by a 5-minute Q&A with investors.
- Seed Funding Roundtables - for companies seeking less than $3m or not ready for funding, the structure of this will be similar to a speed dating format where companies will move around tables and get to pitch their companies to investors. Stage pitching will not take place for these participants.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the #BCTECHSummit?
The #BCTECHSummit is the largest innovation conference in Western Canada. The main event showcases British Columbia's vibrant technology industry, builds cross-sector opportunities for businesses and explores the latest ideas and innovations fuelling our economy locally and globally. The Summit connects industry, government and research under one roof to make connections and do business.
In 2018, the #BCTECHSummit had over 5,600 attendees from more than 1,200 organizations.
When is the 2019 #BCTECHSummit?
The Summit begins with select pre-conference programming on Monday, March 11th with the full 2019 #BCTECHSummit content taking place between Tuesday, March 12 to Wednesday, March 13, 2019.
Check back soon for complete agenda details.
Where is the #BCTECHSummit?
The #BCTECHSummit takes place at the Vancouver Convention Centre – West Building. The address is 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC V6C 0C3, Canada.
Who organizes the #BCTECHSummit?
The #BCTECHSummit is brought to you by the Government of British Columbia in partnership with Innovate BC (formerly BCIC), a Crown Agency.
Who does the #BCTECHSummit benefit?
Technology impacts the way we live, work and play. The #BCTECHSummit aims to show the impact of technology across all industries and sectors and to help forge new connections between businesses. Our audience includes tech entrepreneurs, industry leaders in traditional sectors, investors, government, academia and students.
How can I get the latest updates about the event?
Pre-register to get the latest news and reminders. You'll be the first to know about the start of ticket sales, exciting new program updates and speaker confirmation.
Where can I find the schedule?
The schedule will be launched in the coming months. As we continue to develop our full program and confirm speakers, we will update the schedule with exciting new details.
Is there a hashtag I should follow or use?
Yes! The official event hashtag for all social media platforms is #BCTECHSummit.
INVESTMENT SHOWCASE
How does the Investment Showcase work?
The investment showcase is split into 2 formats:
2. COMPANIES SEEKING UNDER $3M FUNDING OR NO FUNDING:
NETWORK! NETWORK! NETWORK! Make those meaningful connections, talk shop and walk away with a little more knowledge and maybe some new relationships and opportunities for your company.
What's involved in the Investment Showcase?
2019 Investment Showcase will feature:
**Deadline to apply as Series A or Seedfunding/industry roundtable discussions December 11, 2018**
Participants in the Investment Showcase will need to be registered delegates of the #BCTECH Summit. The rate for a startup pitching company is $199
Investor participants in the Investment Showcase will need to be a registered delegate of the #BCTECH Summit. The rate for Investors is $699
For more information on being a participant or an investor, please contact Ming Yan, Myan@innovatebc.ca
Are we provided with a booth at the Investment Showcase?
Your Investment Showcase participation does not include space for a booth. If you would like to be profiled as a start-up in our Start Up Village throughout the event, March 12 &13, you will be required to purchase a booth with our exhibitor team. More information can be accessed here.
Do we get stage time? If so, how much stage time?
The format for 2019 includes:
Participation in either format will be determined by the selection committee.
How many attendees have historically attended the Investment Showcase?
In our 2018 #BCTECHSummit, we had 45 start-up companies and 150 investors participate.
When will we hear if our start-up applications for the Investment Showcase have been approved?
All applicants will be informed of the status of their applications by January 18, 2019 as to whether or not they have been selected to participate in the Investment Showcase.
Do we need to purchase tickets to the #BCTECHSummit before we apply to the Investment Showcase?
No, you do not need to purchase tickets for the #BCTECHSummit before applying to the Investment Showcase. If you wish, you can apply to the Investment Showcase and wait to see if your application has been approved before purchasing tickets to the #BCTECHSummit.
How much does it cost to participate in the Investment Showcase?
Apart from purchasing tickets to the #BCTECHSummit, there is no additional cost to participate in the Investment Showcase. However, your application must be approved by our selection committee in order to participate. Tickets for attending the #BCTECHSummit are $199 for pitching companies and $699 for investors.
Youth Innovation Day
What time is Youth Innovation Day and where can I find the program?
Programming for Youth Innovation Day runs from 8:00am-3:30pm on Mar 12, 2019. While the program is still in development, visit our website Youth Innovation Day Tab, for timely updates. We know you’ll be as excited as we are.
What is the deadline to register?
Registration for Youth Innovation Day is available on a first-come first-serve basis and has a maximum of 10-20 students per school depending on the region. We reached capacity in all three years, so register your school early to secure your spot! This is a day you don’t want to miss!
Is there funding to support travel for Youth Innovation Day?
Travel subsidies are available for school groups travelling from outside of the lower mainland. Contact Youth@bctechsummit.ca to learn more.
Will students have access to the Marketplace to check out all the exhibitors?
Yes, we are tailoring the programming to include opportunity for the youth to explore the various industries represented within the marketplace. Programming for Youth Innovation Day runs from 8:30am-3:30pm on Mar 12, 2019.
When is the deadline to register?
With space for only 1000 students, Registration for Youth Innovation Day is available on a first-come first-serve basis and has a maximum of 10-20 students per school depending on their region. We reached capacity in both 2017 and 2018, so register your school early to secure your spot! This is a day you don’t want to miss!
How can I apply for funding to support travel to Youth Innovation Day?
Travel subsidies are available for school groups traveling from outside of the Lower Mainland. Contact youth@bctechsummit.ca to learn more.
Can the students participate in the rest of the #BCTECH Summit?
Youth Innovation Day is a specially tailored one-day program for students and does not permit admittance to other #BCTECHSummit event components.
Opportunities
Who do I contact about acquiring a media pass?
Accredited media can contact media@bctechsummit.ca for more information about acquiring a media pass.
Who do I contact about becoming a sponsor?
Organizations interested in creating a mutually beneficial partnership with the #BCTECH Summit can contact sponsorship@bctechsummit.ca
How do I become a Marketing Partner?
Becoming an official Marketing Partner for the 2019 #BCTECHSummit is super easy! Reach out to Jamil A. Karim, Innovate BC’s Marketing & Communications Manager, to get this process started. There’s no financial cost to becoming a Marketing Partner for this event.
Who do I contact about speaking at the event?
We are always interested to hear from industry leaders willing to share their expertise and experiences with the greater tech community. Interested speakers can contact speakers@bctechsummit.ca. Please include a link to your bio, suggested topic and video reference if available.
Who do I contact about exhibiting opportunities?
There are a number of different exhibiting opportunities at the #BCTECH Summit. Complete this survey and our team will get back to you to discuss the opportunities that can help maximize your organizational goals.
Who do I contact about volunteer opportunities?
Thank you for your interest! With our new programming of Tech@NIGHT and other on and offsite events, we're looking for some exceptional volunteers to assist us. Please contact info@bctechsummit.ca.
Please submit information pertaining to past event experience a current copy of your CV and why you want to volunteer with the #BCTECH Summit. Volunteer acknowledgement letters will be provided to those who successfully complete their volunteer time with us.
Volunteers will have the opportunity to attend the Full Summit if they choose at a reduced rate in thanks for their service. Registration rate of $399 to be paid in advance and 50% will be refunded upon successful completion of min number of volunteer hours.
Who do I contact if my company would like to host a #BCTECH Summit after-party?
If you would like to host a lead-in event or after-party around the #BCTECH Summit please email info@bctechsummit.ca. On-site activities will be available to event sponsors.
Subscribe to our newsletter to and be the first to find out about all the major announcements and news from the #BCTECHSummit.
The #BCTECHSummit is delivered by the Government of British Columbia and Innovate BC, a Crown Agency.
