The summit includes dynamic panels, interactive exhibitions and a $50,000 startup pitch competition.
MARKHAM, ON, November 6, 2024 – Today marks the official kickoff of ventureLAB's 4th Annual HardTech Summit in partnership with York Region at Toronto Marriott Markham. With a robust agenda ahead, we’re expecting a day filled with more than 30 exhibition booths, dynamic panels, a startup pitch competition with a chance to win up to $50,000, engaging fireside chats and valuable networking opportunities. With more than 900 participants over two days, attendees will dive into insightful discussions with industry leaders and innovators, walking away with inspiration and actionable ideas to propel Canada’s hardtech ecosystem forward.
“I’m proud to be here today for what will be a game-changing experience for Canada’s hardware, semiconductor, medtech, AI and automobility industry,” said Hugh Chow, CEO of ventureLAB. “It's energizing to see the level of innovation, collaboration, and leadership we’ve brought together. The HardTech Summit has evolved into a pivotal event, setting the agenda for how we strengthen Canada’s global position in hardtech, and I couldn’t be more excited to see the impact it will drive.”
Day 1 of the HardTech Summit will spotlight key panel discussions:
- MedTech at Home: A $Billion Opportunity for the Smart and Bold
- Fueling Hardtech Growth: Where is Canada’s Competitive Edge?
- The Power of People: How Talent Can Help Bridge the Canadian Productivity Gap
- Commanding Attention: Practical Communications Tools for HardTech
- Semiconductors Power the Future of Everything
Day 2 highlights include:
- HardTech Pitch Gala Dinner, where our final 8 startups will showcase their groundbreaking ideas and compete for a chance to win a collective $50,000 in cash prizes.
- Remarks by: The Honourable Victor Fedeli, Minister responsible for Economic Development, Job Creation & Trade, MP Melissa Lantsman and Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti.
"Ontario is emerging as a global powerhouse in hardware and semiconductor innovation, driving forward new opportunities across multiple sectors. The incredible growth and significant investments in our automotive and mobility supply chain over the past year underscores the unmatched potential of our ecosystem. ventureLAB’s HardTech Summit is a testament to Ontario’s leadership in advanced manufacturing, where collaboration and cutting-edge technology are setting the stage for sustained economic growth and global competitiveness,” said Mona Eghanian, Assistant Vice President and Deputy Head of the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network.
Register here for Day 1, Day 2 or combined tickets.
About ventureLAB
ventureLAB is a leading global founder community for hardware technology and enterprise software companies in Canada. Located at the heart of Ontario’s innovation corridor in York Region, ventureLAB is part of one of the biggest and most diverse tech communities in Canada. Our initiatives focused on raising capital, talent retention, commercializing technology and IP, and customer acquisition have enabled thousands of companies to create over 6,800 jobs and raise more than $420 million in investment capital. ventureLAB is powering hardtech founders to build and scale globally competitive ventures that advance Canada's knowledge-based economy.
