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2024 CIX Summit Agenda

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02:00pm

Time Icon 2:00pm - 7:00pm

Location Icon Lobby

Registration

Pick up your badge in the lobby from 2:00pm – 7:00pm.

04:00pm

Time Icon 10 mins

Location Icon Summit Stage - Trading Floor

Opening Remarks

Join us as we kickoff CIX Summit with co-chairs Laura Lenz and Alison Nankivell, discussing the current state of the Canadian market, venture capital investing, and the future of the Canadian tech landscape.

04:10pm

fireside-chat

Time Icon 20 mins

Location Icon Summit Stage - Trading Floor

CIX Innovator of The Year Presentation: Cohere

CIX is proud to award Cohere with the Innovator of the Year award. Cohere’s groundbreaking work in Natural Language Processing has not only changed the AI landscape but disrupted multiple industries as a result. Join us for a fireside chat with the mind behind the algorithm as Innovator of the Year Aidan Gomez shares his journey of creating one of Canada’s fastest-growing startups.

Presented in Partnership with KPMG.

04:30pm

fireside-chat

Time Icon 30 mins

Location Icon Summit Stage - Trading Floor

Venturing into the Future: In-Conversation with Vinod Khosla

In this intimate interview, we’ll hear from legendary entrepreneur and Silicon Valley investor Vinod Khosla as he shares his profound insights on venture capital and the impact of emerging technologies on portfolio growth.

In his experience as the co-founder of Sun Microsystems and founder of Khosla Ventures, Vinod has been at the forefront of funding and guiding some of the world’s most groundbreaking startups. We’ll dive into the lessons he’s learned on the importance of risk-taking in the entrepreneurial journey, the ups and downs of managing a VC fund, and the role that investors play in addressing global challenges.

05:30pm

Time Icon 90 mins

Location Icon Lobby and Gallery

Cocktail Reception

Join us for the opening night cocktail reception. Your chance to connect with fellow founders, investors and industry decision-makers. Beverages and refreshments will be served.

Schedule Coming Soon

08:00am

Time Icon 8:00am - 4:00pm

Location Icon Lobby

Registration

Pick up your badge in the lobby from 8:00am – 4:00pm.

08:00am

Time Icon 60 mins

Location Icon Lobby

Welcome Breakfast

Start your day with some networking and a complimentary continental breakfast in our lobby.

09:15am

Time Icon 5 mins

Location Icon Summit Stage - Trading Floor

Opening Remarks

Join us as Lisa Zarzeczny, Co-Founder and CEO of Elevate, sets the stage for an exciting day of programming at CIX Summit.

09:20am

fireside-chat

Time Icon 25 mins

Location Icon Summit Stage - Trading Floor

Maximizing Returns: Dax Dasilva on Leading Lightspeed into the Future of Fintech

Dax Dasilva’s recent return to Lightspeed Commerce as CEO marks a significant milestone for the company. After serving as the Executive Chair of Lightspeed’s board of directors, Dax’s reappointment brings his visionary leadership back to the forefront. Join us as Dax shares strategic insights on scaling Lightspeed to a global tech giant, what he’s focused on most as he returns, and what he predicts for the future of Fintech.

Presented in Partnership with National Bank of Canada.

09:45am

special-presentation

Time Icon 5 mins

Location Icon Summit Stage - Trading Floor

Startup World Cup Introduction

Welcome the representatives from Startup World Cup as they share highlights from their global series of startup conferences and competitions. As the official Canadian Regional competition, judges will evaluate companies in all four CIX Top 20 Early showcases, and one will be chosen to represent Canada in the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in Fall 2024 in San Francisco.

09:50am

pitch-network

Time Icon 45 mins

Location Icon Summit Stage - Trading Floor

Startup Awards: Meet The Founders 1 (Early Stage)

Meet five of our CIX Top 20 Early-Stage Award Winners who are building unique products. From making art ownership accessible to building no-waste hygiene products, these startups are impacting consumers and businesses alike.

We’ll hear a 4-minute pitch from each company followed by questions from our expert commentators. After each segment, we’ll have a 20-minute break for investors & advisors to network with these founders and executives as they come off the stage.

09:55am

Time Icon 20 mins

Location Icon Discovery Stage - Gallery

Ask Me Anything: Sam Colby

A must-see AMA for founders! After winning the 2022 Canada Regionals of Startup World Cup at CIX, SRTX (Sheertex) went on to win the $1-million grand prize at the Startup World Cup finals in San Francisco. Join this AMA with Sam Colby, SRTX EVP & Chief of Staff, for the behind the scenes on the company’s journey as a material science innovator of sustainable and ultra-durable fabrics for their Sheertex knit technology.


Sam shares her insights and best practices on building and scaling growth companies, aligning organizations on company strategy, and driving execution alignment to achieve desired outcomes.

10:20am

rocket-pitch

Time Icon 30 mins

Location Icon Discovery Stage - Gallery

Rocket Pitches: Communitech Showcase

For over 25 years, Communitech has helped founders build strong teams, access capital, and commercialize products. Join us to hear from five companies in their program and how their products are impacting the future of healthcare, real estate, athletic training, and vehicle purchasing.

Presented in Partnership with Communitech.

10:35am

pitch-network

Time Icon 45 mins

Location Icon Summit Stage - Trading Floor

Startup Awards: Meet The Founders 2 (Growth Stage) 

From delivering hyper-personalized digital experiences to replacing traditional petrochemicals, these five CIX Top 10 Growth-Stage Award Winners use novel data and technical strategies to redefine growth. Hear them pitch how they broke through their industries and achieved success.

We’ll hear a 4-minute pitch from each company followed by questions from our expert commentators. After each segment, we’ll have a 20-minute break for investors & advisors to network with these founders and executives as they come off the stage.

10:55am

panel

Time Icon 30 mins

Location Icon Discovery Stage - Gallery

Unlocking Growth: Insights from the eCN Alumni

Join us for a dynamic panel discussion featuring three eCN alumni, and explore the intricacies of fundraising strategies and unlocking sales potential for sustainable growth. Gain invaluable perspectives on navigating the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship and discover how these leaders harness innovation to drive meaningful change.

11:20am

panel

Time Icon 25 mins

Location Icon Summit Stage - Trading Floor

Redefining the Narrative: Debating the Impact of Hype and Risk Aversion in Canadian Tech

Join us for a spirited discussion on the repercussions of tech hype. Are we inadvertently steering innovation towards the wrong problems? Does Canada’s cautious approach limit scaling potential? Explore these questions with industry experts as they dissect the intersection of hype, risk appetite, and dangers of IP fire selling in Canadian tech, and walk away pondering how to avoid past pitfalls and ensure Canadian tech remains focused on impactful solutions at a scale that truly makes a difference.

11:30am

workshop

Time Icon 30 mins

Location Icon Discovery Stage - Gallery

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area: Where Innovation & Entrepreneurs Can Excel

Comprising Hong Kong, Macao and nine municipalities of China’s Guangdong Province, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is set to be the new economic powerhouse for China and the world. With a staggering population of over 80 million and a GDP surpassing US$2000 billion, the GBA offers an unrivalled concentration of innovative talents, research & technologies, pioneering policies, and robust financial infrastructures.

In this session, officials from The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will share the latest developments within this thriving region and how innovation & technology companies could leverage Hong Kong’s unique position to translate the market and financing opportunities in the GBA into real business growth.

Presented in Partnership with Invest Hong Kong.

11:45am

keynote

Time Icon 15 mins

Location Icon Summit Stage - Trading Floor

Accelerating AVs Through the Next Generation of Generative AI

Autonomous trucks, promised to reinvigorate our supply chain, have stalled in terms of meaningful progress, despite billions having been invested. To truly unlock autonomous trucks at scale, innovation is needed. Generative AI offers a new way forward that radically changes how autonomous driving systems work. In this session, Raquel will discuss how leveraging generative AI will evolve the way in which autonomous driving systems are developed and trained, resulting in faster, safer, and more scalable deployment of transformative self-driving technology around the world.

12:00pm

private-events

Time Icon 60 MINS

Location Icon GALLERY

MaRS Capital Corner Investor Lunch Event

Exclusively for capital leaders, this invite-only lunch event provides investors with a unique opportunity to connect with peers across various investment stages, from early to late-stage investors and alternative funders. Space is limited and RSVPs are subject to approval. Investor pass-holders will receive an invitation to apply.

12:00pm

Time Icon 45 mins

Location Icon Gallery & Lobby

Lunch

Complimentary lunch will be served in both the Gallery and Lobby.

12:45pm

panel

Time Icon 25 mins

Location Icon Summit Stage - Trading Floor

Beyond the Capital: Understanding LP-VC Dynamics

A critical part of the VC ecosystem, Limited Partners (LPs) provide essential capital to venture capital funds. Hear from leading LP investors on how market trends are influencing the relationship between LPs and VC funds. We’ll discuss evolving LP-GP dynamics, advice for entrepreneurs when raising, and the challenges and opportunities in navigating a fluctuating investment landscape. 

12:45pm

workshop

Time Icon 30 mins

Location Icon Discovery Stage - Gallery

Startup to Scaleup – Expert Advice for Growing Your Team

Kristina and Rebecca have worked with dozens of successful tech founders to build their startups. From key hires to critical infrastructure, they’ll share stories and insights on hiring, retention and off-boarding to help you set your team up for success and avoid costly mistakes. Bring your questions and your challenges, as this will be a very interactive chat.

Presented in Partnership with Artemis and BrightIron.

01:20pm

pitch-network

Time Icon 45 mins

Location Icon Summit Stage - Trading Floor

Startup Awards: Meet The Founders 3 (Early Stage)

From creating tailor-made proteins to transforming biotech, join five founders of CIX Top 20 Early-Stage Award Winners as they pitch how they are disrupting their traditional industries.

We’ll hear a 4-minute pitch from each company followed by questions from our expert commentators. After each segment, we’ll have a 20-minute break for investors & advisors to network with these founders and executives as they come off the stage.

01:20pm

workshop

Time Icon 30 mins

Location Icon Discovery Stage - Gallery

How Canadian Technology Accelerators (CTAs) Can Help You Scale & Expand Globally

Join Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service and CTA alumni to learn how CTA programs can propel your business across key international markets. We empower Canada’s high-potential start-up and scale-up tech companies with a market-ready service, technology, or product to explore global growth opportunities.

Presented in Partnership with Global Affairs Canada.

01:55pm

ama

Time Icon 20 mins

Location Icon Discovery Stage - Gallery

Ask Me Anything: Janet Bannister

Step into an exclusive AMA session with Janet Bannister, the visionary Founder and General Partner of Staircase Ventures. She is renowned for her sharp insights into investing in Canada’s early-stage tech pioneers and accelerating founders’ growth.

Select career highlights include: four years in Silicon Valley growing eBay from collectibles to a mainstream marketplace, launching Kijiji.ca to become one of the most visited websites in Canada, graduate of the prestigious Kauffman Fellows program – a global network of the world’s top 1% of venture investors and leaders, recognized as Insider’s 2023 “Seed 30: The Best Women Early-Stage, Investors in North America”.

02:05pm

pitch-network

Time Icon 45 mins

Location Icon Summit Stage - Trading Floor

Startup Awards: Meet The Founders 4 (Early Stage)

Meet five of the CIX Top 20 Early-Stage Award Winners who are transforming businesses by leveraging technologies that can turn labs portable, optimize bifacial solar assets in minutes, and make daily marketing and HR tasks effortless.

We’ll hear a 4-minute pitch from each company followed by questions from our expert commentators. After each segment, we’ll have a 20-minute break for investors & advisors to network with these founders and executives as they come off the stage.

02:20pm

workshop

Time Icon 20 Mins

Location Icon Discovery Stage - Gallery

Raising Capital in 2024: Challenges and Opportunities

Join Jennifer Arnold, Co-Founder & CEO of MinervaAI and Sarah Romanuck, Director of Banking at RBCx for a discussion on raising capital in 2024 moderated by Josh Rosen, Partner at Gowling WLG. We will dig into some of the current ecosystem trends, explore challenges and opportunities, and provide actionable insights for founders who are looking to raise in today’s competitive market.

Presented in Partnership with Gowling WLG.

02:50pm

pitch-network

Time Icon 45 mins

Location Icon Summit Stage - Trading Floor

Startup Awards: Meet The Founders 5 (Early Stage)

Meet five of the CIX Top 20 Early-Stage Award Winners who are redefining the future. Hear their pitches as they explain their intricate technology. From building fabless semiconductors supporting the AI revolution to making immune diseases a thing of the past, these companies are making a significant impact not only on their industries but also on our daily lives.

We’ll hear a 4-minute pitch from each company followed by questions from our expert commentators. After each segment, we’ll have a 20-minute break for investors & advisors to network with these founders and executives as they come off the stage.

02:55pm

rocket-pitch

Time Icon 30 mins

Location Icon Discovery Stage - Gallery

Rocket Pitches: Interac Fintech Showcase

Interac has always been a champion for Canadian fintech advancements. In this showcase, meet founders who are redefining fintech while solving the massive problems of predatory lenders, capital accessibility, and business optimization

Presented in Partnership with Interac.

03:30pm

rocket-pitch

Time Icon 30 mins

Location Icon Discovery Stage - Gallery

Rocket Pitches: ventureLAB Hardtech Showcase

ventureLAB is Canada’s only lab and incubator for founders building hardware and semiconductor-focused products, enabling the creation of transformative technologies. Join us to hear pitches from five founders from their programs. By making electrical systems simple, creating unparalleled compositing and air purifying systems, optimizing commercial trucking fleets, and even transforming cancer detection, these five companies are disrupting their traditional industries.

Presented in Partnership with ventureLAB.

03:35pm

pitch-network

Time Icon 45 mins

Location Icon Summit Stage - Trading Floor

Startup Awards: Meet The Founders 6 (Growth Stage)

Finding a market fit is never easy, but these five CIX Top 10 Growth-Stage Award Winners have seen phenomenal growth in the past few years. Meet the founders as they share how they captured their elusive markets.

We’ll hear a 4-minute pitch from each company followed by questions from our expert commentators. After each segment, we’ll have a 20-minute break for investors & advisors to network with these founders and executives as they come off the stage.

04:05pm

rocket-pitch

Time Icon 30 mins

Location Icon Discovery Stage - Gallery

Rocket Pitches: Ontario Brain Institute Neurotech Showcase

Join us for an electrifying showcase featuring pioneering neurotech companies supported by the Ontario Brain Institute. These visionary founders are revolutionizing the landscape of brain health and treatment for people living with brain disorders. From cutting-edge technologies to innovative therapies, each company is dedicated to enhancing the lives of patients and advancing our understanding of brain health.

Presented in Partnership with Ontario Brain Institute.

04:30pm

fireside-chat

Time Icon 20 mins

Location Icon Summit Stage - Trading Floor

Unveiling the Future: Navigating the Landscape of AI Investing

Join us as we delve into the captivating realm of AI investing with Darian Shirazi from Gradient Ventures. With AI technologies reshaping industries and redefining paradigms, it is paramount that investors and entrepreneurs understand the state of investing in AI. Gain insights into trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the dynamic landscape and discover how Gradient Ventures identifies transformative startups and leverages expertise to drive innovation.

04:55pm

special-presentation

Time Icon 5 mins

Location Icon Summit Stage - Trading Floor

Startup World Cup – Regional Winner Announcement

Join us as we announce the winner of the Startup World Cup Canada Regional competition, who will go on to represent Canada in the Grand Finale in Fall 2024 in San Francisco

05:00pm

Time Icon 90 mins

Location Icon Lobby and Gallery

Cocktail Reception

Join us at the cocktail reception for your final chance to connect with fellow founders, investors and industry decision-makers at CIX 2024. Beverages and refreshments will be served.

Schedule Coming Soon