R2WSV: Innovation with Impact: Women in Tech
In collaboration with Vancouver Entrepreneurs Forum (VEF) Spring and the BC Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE).
Join us for an evening of engaging networking and story-telling from 15 trailblazing women founders in tech on April 15, 2025, at Robson Square. This event is an official Road to Web Summit Vancouver event, powered by Innovate BC.
R2WSV: Innovation with Impact will feature 15 founders presenting to a panel of judges who will offer feedback and advice as they prepare for meetings and other exciting opportunities that will come with Web Summit Vancouver in May. Founders will also have an opportunity to secure their ticket to Web Summit from Innovate BC!
For further details on the first, invitation-only event, please go here.
This event is proudly sponsored by BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada), with special thanks to Innovation UBC for hosting us as our venue sponsor. We deeply appreciate their support, along with all our incredible VEF sponsors, for making this event possible!
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Time: 4:30pm - 8:00 pm
Location: UBC Robson Square Theatre
Program Agenda:
4:30-5:00 PM (Open Networking at UBC RS Theatre)
5:00 PM: Start of the program
5:00 - 5:05 PM: Welcome & Overview
5:05 - 5:20: Grounding Ceremony by Elder Roberta Price
5:20 - 5:35: Intro Remarks (CICE, Spring, BDC - 5 mins each)
5:35 - 6:30: Group 1 Presenters (8 X 3 min pitch, 2 mins questions)
Group 1:
Sukhneet Dhillon
Mia Stankovic
Mallory Flynn
Christina Gyenge
Alycia van der Gracht
Maryam Bari
Sabrina Scott
6:30 - 6:50: Fireside Chat with Brian Scudamore, CEO & Founder of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and Dragon at CBC/Radio-Canada's Dragon's Den
Moderated by Leah Nguyen, former Chief Investment Officer at InBC Investment Corp.
Leah brings a powerhouse background from InBC, TELUS, Accenture, lululemon, and is an active board member shaping BC’s innovation ecosystem, including with Venture for Canada.
We're excited to announce our April 15th Keynote Fireside Speaker: Brian Scudamore, the visionary CEO & Founder of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and a Dragon at CBC/Radio-Canada's Dragon's Den.
Brian started his entrepreneurial journey in Vancouver with just a $700 pickup truck. Today, he leads a $500M franchise empire operating in Canada, the US, and Australia.
This conversation will dive into his company-building story, the lessons he’s learned, and the kind of advice he may give founders—especially with his role as one of the Dragons in Dragon’s Den.
6:50 - 7:45: Group 2 Presenters (7 x 3 min pitch, 2 mins questions)
Group 2:
Jaiya Varshney
Sarah Soleimanifar
Amanda Barney
Melanie Bitner
Vidya Kotamraju
Ranah Chavoshi
7:45 - 8PM Closing
Ticket Price:
General Admission: $55
Founder $25
VEF Members: FREE (Become a Member)
Limited capacity, make sure to get your ticket now! 🎟️✨
Vancouver Entrepreneurs Forum is seeking volunteers and are welcome to contact events@vef.org.
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In support of Web Summit Vancouver, Innovate BC is proud to deliver a sector development initiative to help B.C. startups maximize their Web Summit Vancouver experience and capitalize on its potential to support their growth. This initiative is called ‘Road to Web Summit Vancouver, Powered by Innovate BC (R2WSV)’.
R2WSV is aimed at leveraging Web Summit as a platform to attract investors, acquire customers, and drive growth for B.C. companies. As a part of R2WSV, Innovate BC is working alongside partners across the ecosystem to develop and implement a comprehensive suite of programming, including events, training, development programs, and pitch competitions, that enable B.C. companies to capitalize on the opportunities available through Web Summit Vancouver. We aim to engage with partners that can also maximize participation from founders across British Columbia’s various sectors, regions, and diverse communities (including Indigenous, women, newcomers and people of colour).