2024 CIX Summit Agenda
2:00pm - 7:00pm
Lobby
Registration
Pick up your badge in the lobby from 2:00pm – 7:00pm.
5 mins
Summit Stage - Trading Floor
CIX Summit Opening Night Kickoff
We’re kicking off CIX Summit 2024 with an intimate evening of curated speakers and a cocktail reception. Join our Summit Stage host Amber Kanwar as she sets the stage for this year’s summit.
10 mins
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.
20 mins
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.
30 mins
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.
90 mins
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
60 mins
Lobby
Welcome Breakfast
Start your day with some networking and a complimentary continental breakfast in our lobby.
8:00am - 4:00pm
Lobby
Registration
Pick up your badge in the lobby from 8:00am – 4:00pm.
5 mins
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.
25 mins
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.
5 mins
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.
45 mins
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.
Expert Commentator
Michelle McBane
Managing Director
StandUp Ventures
Expert Commentator
Jonah Midanik
Partner
Forum Ventures
5 mins
Discovery Stage - Gallery
Discovery Stage Kickoff
20 mins
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.
This session is made possible by the Government of Canada.
30 mins
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.
45 mins
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.
30 mins
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.
This session is made possible by the Government of Canada.
25 mins
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.
30 mins
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.
15 mins
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.
45 mins
Gallery & Lobby
Lunch
Complimentary lunch will be served in both the Gallery and Lobby.
60 MINS
GALLERY
MaRS Capital Corner Investor Lunch Event
Exclusively for capital leaders, this invite-only lunch event made possible by MaRS 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. Learn more about MaRS at www.marsdd.com.
30 mins
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.
25 mins
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.
45 mins
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.
Expert Commentator
Megan Dover
Co-Founder & Principal
Cross Border Impact Ventures
Expert Commentator
Emil Savov
Managing Director
MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund
30 mins
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.
45 mins
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.
20 Mins
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.
45 mins
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.
Expert Commentator
Udit Bhatnagar
Vice President
McRock Capital
Expert Commentator
Alanna Souza
Seed GM
Drive Capital
30 mins
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.
30 mins
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. Sponsored by York Region and the City of Markham, this Rocket Pitch features pitches from five founders from ventureLAB 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, York Region and the City of Markham.
45 mins
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.
30 mins
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.
25 mins
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.
5 mins
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
90 mins
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.