Over 60 events set to energize Vancouver Startup Week 2025, including a headline fireside chat with Clio’s CTO and CMO.
A Week of Innovation, Insight, and Entrepreneurial Energy
Vancouver’s thriving tech ecosystem is about to get a major boost as Vancouver Startup Week (VSW) 2025 returns with a lineup designed to inspire, educate, and connect. Running from May 20 to 23, the event will host over 60 programs—from hands-on workshops to high-impact panels—bringing together the brightest minds across startups, investment, and innovation.
But the week’s biggest highlight? A fireside chat with Clio’s executive duo—a must-attend moment for legaltech watchers and entrepreneurs alike.
Clio’s CTO and CMO Set the Stage with Purpose-Driven Growth
On the evening of May 21, attendees will get front-row access to an exclusive session titled “Scaling with Purpose: Clio’s Journey and the Future of Legal Tech.”
In this candid discussion, Jonathan Watson (CTO) and Reagan Attle (CMO) of Burnaby-based legaltech unicorn Clio will reflect on the company’s evolution from a scrappy Vancouver startup to a global industry leader.
The conversation will delve into:
- Building with purpose and community at the core
- Developing inclusive teams in tech
- Innovating products for the next era of legal services
This session is expected to draw a significant crowd—and serve as a playbook for startups looking to scale with meaning.
The Road to Web Summit: Preparing BC’s Startups for the Global Stage
VSW 2025 also serves as a launchpad for Innovate BC’s Road to Web Summit Vancouver—a strategic effort to prepare local startups for the Web Summit coming to the Vancouver Convention Centre from May 27 to 30.
Expect a diverse menu of tactical sessions, including:
- Venture Financing 101 hosted by Angel Forum
- Accessing Venture Capital panel and social by Osler
- Reverse Pitch Series, where investors pitch to startups
- How to Win Any Pitch with Web Summit co-host Casey Lau, including brutally honest “Gordon Ramsay-style” feedback
These sessions are tailored to help founders refine fundraising strategies, sharpen their storytelling, and stand out in high-stakes pitch arenas.
From Gender Equity to Growth: Inclusive and Impactful Conversations
VSW’s programming doesn’t just focus on business—it challenges norms too. A standout this year is the return of Toast’s “Men in Tech” panel, where male executives face tongue-in-cheek versions of the irrelevant questions often posed to women in tech.
Meanwhile, growth-minded founders can explore sessions tackling:
- Pitch perfection
- Navigating growth-stage hurdles
- Scaling without compromising culture
The Festivities: Opening Night to Grand Finale
The week kicks off on May 20 with an opening reception and ecosystem showcase hosted by Google Cloud at Science World. VSW 2025 wraps in style with the Closing Party at D/6 Bar & Lounge in Parq Casino on May 23.
With its mix of strategic sessions, culture-shifting conversations, and dynamic networking, Vancouver Startup Week 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark moment for British Columbia’s innovation landscape.
Stay tuned to Maple News Wire for continuing coverage of Vancouver Startup Week and Canada’s emerging tech ecosystem.
