2025 CIX Summit Agenda
8:00AM - 4:00PM
Lobby
Registration
Pick up your badge in the lobby from 8:00am – 4:00pm.
60 MINS
Trading Floor
Networking Breakfast
Fuel up, expand your network, and set the stage for a day of insights and innovation. This is your chance to meet fellow attendees and enjoy a continental breakfast before the sessions begin.
9:00AM -5:30PM
CIX Networking Lounge - Gallery
CIX Networking Lounge
Visit exhibitor booths & Startup Award Winner tables, and meet fellow CIX Summit attendees. Whether you’re looking for your next investor, co-founder, or collaborator, this is where connections turn into opportunities.
15 MINS
Trading Floor
Opening Remarks
Join us as we kick off CIX Summit with co-chairs Laura Lenz and Prashant Matta, discussing the current state of the Canadian market, venture capital investing, and the future of the Canadian tech landscape.
25 MINS
Trading Floor
Made in Canada: Navigating Business & Innovation in a Changing World
Join us for a dynamic panel discussion on the growing pro-Canada movement, fueled by rising national pride and economic resilience. As trade tensions and shifting global dynamics reshape the entrepreneurial landscape, this panel will explore how Canadian businesses are navigating challenges and seizing new opportunities. From tariffs and local supply chains to innovation strategy and intellectual property retention, we’ll examine what it takes to foster a thriving, self-sustaining ecosystem.
25 MINS
Trading Floor
CIX Innovator of The Year Presentation: Clio
CIX is proud to announce Clio as the 2025 Innovator of the Year award recipient. Clio has revolutionized legal tech with cutting-edge, cloud-based solutions that streamline practice management, enhance client experiences, and drive innovation. Join us for a fireside chat with the mind behind the industry-disrupting business as Innovator of the Year, Jack Newton, chats with Clio’s lead investor, Tony Florence, and shares his journey of creating one of Canada’s fastest-growing startups.
The 2025 Innovator of the Year Award is made possible by the National Angel Capital Organization.
60 MINS
Lobby
Meeting Exchanges: Block 1
CIX Meeting Exchanges are exclusive, pre-booked, 8-minute, 1:1 meetings between early and growth-stage founders and top investors. Available only to Startup Passholders, spots are limited and require pre-registration via the Meeting Exchange platform.
40 MINS
Trading Floor
CIX Startup Awards Pitch Showcase: Emerging Category
Hear from some of the most promising startups in Canada. These young companies are breaking new ground with innovative technologies, disruptive business models, and strong early traction. Selected by our CIX Awards Committee, these winners represent the next generation of market leaders, showcasing exceptional potential for growth and investment.
25 MINS
Trading Floor
CIX Startup Awards Pitch Showcase: Early Category
This category acknowledges high-potential startups that are gaining momentum and reshaping industries. The awarded companies have demonstrated strong early growth, innovative solutions, and the ability to scale in competitive markets. Selected by our CIX Awards Committee, the winners in this category are on the fast track to becoming the next breakout success stories.
25 MINS
Trading Floor
CIX Startup Awards Pitch Showcase: Growth Category
This category recognizes startups that have moved beyond early traction and are scaling rapidly. These companies are driving significant market impact, demonstrating strong revenue growth, and proving their ability to compete at the highest levels. The winners in this category are poised to become the next major success stories in the Canadian innovation ecosystem.
60 MINS
Lobby
Meeting Exchanges: Block 2
CIX Meeting Exchanges are exclusive, pre-booked, 8-minute, 1:1 meetings between early and growth-stage founders and top investors. Available only to Startup Passholders, spots are limited and require pre-registration via the Meeting Exchange platform.
25 MINS
Trading Floor
Canadian Success Story: StackAdapt
StackAdapt, a Toronto-based programmatic advertising platform founded in 2013, has recently achieved significant milestones in its growth journey. On February 4, 2025, the company secured a $235 million investment led by Teachers’ Venture Growth (TVG), among other investors, bringing StackAdapt’s total funding to over $500 million. Join us for an in-depth discussion on StackAdapt’s rapid rise, recent funding round, and bold strategy for scaling globally.
60 MINS
Trading Floor
Lunch
Complimentary lunch will be served on the trading floor.
60 MINS
Lobby
Meeting Exchanges: Block 3
CIX Meeting Exchanges are exclusive, pre-booked, 8-minute, 1:1 meetings between early and growth-stage founders and top investors. Available only to Startup Passholders, spots are limited and require pre-registration via the Meeting Exchange platform.
5 MINS
Trading Floor
Founder Forum Kickoff
Our Summit Stage evolves into the Founder Forum—a dedicated space expert-led discussions tailored for founders at every stage and funding round.
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Library
Investor Forum
A new addition to CIX Summit 2025, the Investor Forum is a private gathering designed exclusively for top investors attending this year’s event.
This closed-door forum brings together leading VCs and institutional investors for high-value networking and off-the-record discussions on the latest trends shaping early-stage and growth investing.
The Investor Forum will be hosted by Kim Furlong, CEO, CVCA, with Opening Remarks from CIX Co-Chairs Laura Lenz, Partner, OMERS & Prashant Matta, Managing Partner, Panache Ventures. You’ll join a series of roundtable discussions and end the day with key takeaways. Full agenda to be shared directly with Investor passholders.
5 MINS
Trading Floor
Startup World Cup – Regional Winner Announcement
As the official Canadian Regional competition for the Startup World Cup, CIX Summit hosts judges who evaluate companies in Emerging and Early Awards showcases. Join us as we announce the winning company that will represent Canada at the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in Fall 2025 in San Francisco.
20 MINS
Trading Floor
Bold Missions: Deep-Tech and the Path to Scale
From revolutionizing resource extraction to scaling clean technology, the path to a sustainable future is filled with both challenges and opportunities. In this fireside chat, we’ll explore how mission-driven companies like Summit Nanotech are transforming industries, the critical role of angel investors in supporting deep-tech innovation, and how bridging academic research with real-world application fuels success.
Presented in Partnership with the National Angel Capital Organization.
25 MINS
Trading Floor
Mastering the Maze: Using Regulation to Outpace the Competition
Canada’s innovation ecosystem is thriving but sustaining a competitive edge in the global economy demands strategic advantages and a forward-thinking regulatory environment. Join us for an insightful discussion on the unique benefits of building in Canada, the challenges businesses face, and how smart, efficient regulation can fuel innovation and long-term success.
Presented in Partnership with OSC.
25 MINS
Trading Floor
Smart Homes, Smarter Decisions: Can PropTech Unlock Canada’s Housing Future?
With millions of homes needed in the market and affordability worsening, can technology drive smarter, faster solutions—or is a broader strategy required? From AI-driven tenant management to predictive urban planning, join us as we explore where innovation can support housing solutions and where policy, infrastructure and collaboration come into play.
Presented in Partnership with DMZ.
25 MINS
Trading Floor
The Next Big Wave: How Semiconductor Innovation is Shaping Every Industry
Semiconductors are at the heart of AI, automotive, and next-gen computing—and Canada has a growing role to play. This discussion will highlight how these Markham-based companies are pushing the boundaries of chip innovation and securing Canada’s place in the global semiconductor race. Learn how you can scale deep tech, navigate global supply chains, and seize new opportunities in an increasingly chip-driven world.
Presented in Partnership with VentureLAB and the City of Markham.
60 MINS
Lobby
Meeting Exchanges: Block 4
CIX Meeting Exchanges are exclusive, pre-booked, 8-minute, 1:1 meetings between early and growth-stage founders and top investors. Available only to Startup Passholders, spots are limited and require pre-registration via the Meeting Exchange platform.
25 MINS
Trading Floor
Talent Wars: How Canada Can Win in a Changing Global Landscape
As the U.S. rolls back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Canada has a unique opportunity to attract top global talent. But what does this shift mean for Canadian tech companies looking to hire, compete, and scale? In this panel, founders will discuss how shifting policies impact cross-border hiring, how Canada can position itself as a destination for diverse talent, and what this means for the future of innovation. Whether you’re actively hiring or thinking about long-term workforce strategy, this conversation will provide key insights into the changing talent landscape
Presented in Partnership with IDEA Mississauga.
25 MINS
Trading Floor
Fintech Forward: Innovation Through Collaboration
The payments and fintech landscape is evolving rapidly, with new technologies reshaping how money moves. But true transformation happens when fintech innovators and established financial institutions work together. This panel will explore how collaboration drives industry-wide change, from seamless digital payments to next-gen financial services. Join us as we discuss the opportunities, challenges, and future trends shaping the next wave of fintech innovation.
Presented in Partnership with Interac.
90 MINS
CIX Networking Lounge - Gallery
CIX Attendee Social
Join us in the CIX Networking Lounge (3rd Floor) for your final chance to connect with fellow founders, investors and industry decision-makers at CIX 2025. Appetizers and beverages will be served.
40 MINS
Breakout Space - Gallery
Founder Roundtables
Roundtables are exclusive to Startup passholders. Spots are limited to 9 attendees per table, and pre-registration is required via the Meeting Exchange platform.
We’ll host a total of five roundtable conversations during this 40-minute block. (more sessions being added soon)
Roundtable 1: Funding Before VC: How Founders Use SPVs to Raise Early Stage Capital
Before venture capital steps in, founders are using Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to raise early funding, attract strategic investors, and maintain cap table control. This interactive roundtable will break down SPV mechanics, share real-world case studies, and explore the benefits and challenges of this approach.
Alexander Morsink – CEO, Equivesto
Tanika McLeod – Co-Founder, OneCliq.io
Roundtable 2: Breaking Into Silicon Valley: How Founders Raise Capital & Win Investors
Silicon Valley is the heart of startup funding, but securing capital takes more than a great idea. This roundtable will explore how to craft a winning pitch, build investor relationships, and navigate the latest funding trends. Join us for practical strategies to stand out, raise capital, and scale your startup successfully.
Said Mia – Founder & Managing Partner, Stormbreaker Ventures
Roundtable 3: Customer Success as Your Fundraising Superpower
Investors bet on traction, retention, and happy customers—not just great ideas. This roundtable will explore how a strong customer success strategy can boost fundraising success. Learn to leverage engagement, retention metrics, and testimonials to attract investors, increase valuation, and prove long-term viability.
John Gleeson – Founder & General Partner, Success Venture Partners
Roundtable 4: The High Cost of Growth: Winning Customers Without Breaking the Bank
Acquiring new customers is more expensive than ever, forcing founders to rethink their growth strategies. How do you strike the right balance between attracting new users and maximizing retention? In this roundtable, we’ll discuss shifting acquisition costs, the role of brand loyalty, and tactics to drive sustainable growth. Join us as we share challenges, strategies, and insights on building a business that thrives beyond the first sale.
Monique Moran – Founder & CEO, Growth Assembly
Roundtable 5: Seed Fundraising in 2024: How to Raise Faster and Smarter
Great companies don’t just raise capital—they do it faster, more efficiently, and on better terms. Join Claire Fauquier of Brightspark Ventures for a candid conversation on what it takes to secure a successful seed round in today’s market. Learn what investors are really looking for, how to stand out in a crowded field, and key strategies to navigate the challenges of early-stage fundraising.
Claire Fauquier – Venture Partner, Brightspark Ventures
5:30PM - 9:00PM
Scotland Yard Pub (56 The Esplanade)
Official CIX Summit After Party (Hosted by TechTO & Betakit)
Join us for an exclusive evening of networking, drinks, and meaningful conversations with top investors, founders, and tech leaders after CIX Summit. Wrap up your CIX experience with an unforgettable night of insightful discussions, new connections, and community building. Simply show your CIX badge at the door for free entry—don’t miss this premier post-summit gathering! Reserve your spot -> http://bit.ly/41Hyptu