2026 CIX Summit Agenda
8:30AM - 4:00PM
Lobby - 1st Floor
Registration
Pick up your badge in the lobby from 8:30am – 4:00pm.
networking
60 MINS
Trading Floor - 2nd Floor
Welcome 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.
networking
9:00AM -5:30PM
Networking Lounge - Gallery - 3rd Floor S
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.
summit stage
15 MINS
Trading Floor - 2nd Floor
Opening Remarks
Join us as we kick off CIX Summit with co-chairs Claire Fauquier and Prashant Matta, discussing the current state of the Canadian market, venture capital investing, and the future of the Canadian tech landscape.
summit stage
20 MINS
Trading Floor - 2nd Floor
Redefining Sovereignty: Building Canada’s Next Industrial Boom
The shifting geo-political landscape presents a once in a generation opportunity to create new company categories that protect Canada’s security, sovereignty, and beyond. Join Canadian founders writing the playbook for navigating Canada’s next industrial era of dual-use technologies. From data infrastructures and cyber security, to advanced manufacturing, we’ll examine what it takes to move from concept to capability in this landmark moment for growth.
summit stage
25 MINS
Trading Floor - 2nd Floor
CIX Innovator of The Year Presentation: Wealthsimple
CIX is proud to recognize Wealthsimple as the 2026 Innovator of the Year. Following a pivotal year in which the company transitioned from a high-growth scaleup to a full-fledged enterprise, Wealthsimple doubled its assets under administration to more than $100 billion and secured a landmark $750 million equity financing round at a $10 billion post-money valuation. Join us for a fireside chat with the mind behind the industry-disrupting business as Innovator of the Year, Mike Katchen, chats with his newest investor at CPPIB, Max Miller, and shares his journey of creating one of Canada’s fastest-growing startups.
The 2026 Innovator of the Year Award is made possible by the National Angel Capital Organization.
advisor hours
60 MINS
Networking Lounge - Gallery - 3rd Floor S
Meet with an Advisor: UX/UI Design Audit
Building a digital product? Work through your user experience, interface design, and key user flows with experienced designers. Identify friction, streamline interactions, and uncover opportunities to create a smoother user experience that translates into stronger engagement and business results.
Advisor Hours offer 15-minute drop-in meetings on a first-come, first-served basis. Come prepared with your biggest question, challenge, or pain point and what outcome you’d like to achieve. Advisors will share tailored, actionable insights you can put to work right away.
summit stage
25 MINS
Trading Floor - 2nd 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.
meeting exchanges
60 MINS
Lobby - 1st Floor
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.
summit stage
20 MINS
Trading Floor - 2nd 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.
summit stage
25 MINS
Trading Floor - 2nd Floor
CIX Startup Awards Panel: 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. Join us in a panel discussion focused on scaling strategies and the operational, financial, and leadership decisions required to grow from breakout traction to enduring market leadership.
This segment is made possible by Capital Canada.
summit stage
5 MINS
Trading Floor - 2nd Floor
Special Announcement From the Upside Foundation of Canada
Canada’s startup ecosystem has long paired innovation with impact. Building on that tradition, a new partnership between the Upside Foundation of Canada and SickKids Foundation marks the next chapter for Upside’s equity-giving platform, enabling founders and companies to support charities across Canada.
summit stage
20 MINS
Trading Floor - 2nd Floor
Canadian Success Story: Arteria AI
With over $40 million raised to date, Arteria AI is transforming documentation and data workflows for financial institutions. As demand grows for greater efficiency, accuracy, and automation in highly regulated environments, they have emerged as a leader in applying AI to one of the industry’s most complex and overlooked challenges. Join us for an in-depth discussion on Arteria AI’s growth journey, the evolution of enterprise AI in financial services, and its strategy for scaling in a highly regulated market.
meeting exchanges
60 MINS
Lobby - 1st Floor
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.
advisor hours
60 MINS
Networking Lounge - Gallery - 3rd Floor S
Meet with an Advisor: Growth-Driven Marketing & PR
Ready to get noticed? Work through your go-to-market story, target audience, and media approach with experienced operators. Ideal for startups looking to build traction, attract customers, and stand out in a crowded market.
Advisor Hours offer 15-minute drop-in meetings on a first-come, first-served basis. Come prepared with your biggest question, challenge, or pain point and what outcome you’d like to achieve. Advisors will share tailored, actionable insights you can put to work right away.
networking
60 MINS
Trading Floor - 2nd Floor
Lunch
Complimentary lunch will be served on the trading floor.
founder forum
30 MINUTES
Breakout Space - Gallery - 3rd Floor S
Lunch Workshop: Scale Beyond Borders with the CTA Program
Ready to take your startup global? In this interactive session, you’ll hear firsthand how Canadian Technology Accelerator programs support high-growth tech companies with market entry, business matchmaking, and on-the-ground mentorship in key global markets. Whether you’re eyeing North America, Europe, or Asia, this workshop will help you understand how to leverage Canada’s international network to accelerate your next stage of growth.
Attendance is first-come first served and limited to 50 attendees. Doors will open 15mins before the session, and lunch will be available in the workshop space. This workshop is presented by Global Affairs Canada.
founder forum
5 MINS
Trading Floor - 2nd Floor
Founder Forum Kickoff
Our Summit Stage evolves into the Founder Forum—a dedicated space for expert-led discussions tailored for founders at every stage and funding round.
investor forum
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Library - 3rd Floor N
Investor Forum
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 includes brief remarks throughout the program from CIX Co-Chairs Claire Fauquier (Brightspark Ventures) & Prashant Matta (Panache Ventures), and Marianne Dubois (Inovia) in addition to a series of LP/GP breakout discussions.
Full agenda to be shared directly with Investor passholders.
founder forum
30 MINS
Trading Floor - 2nd Floor
Before the Pitch: Raising Your Seed Round (+ Q&A)
Fundraising success is often determined long before the first pitch meeting. This session offers an in-depth look at what defines an effective fundraising process – from the steps founders should take months ahead of investor discussions to successfully closing a deal. Key topics include demonstrating founder-market fit, preparing for early diligence, understanding how different funds assess opportunities, and navigating their varying timelines. You’ll gain valuable insights into what investors focus on beneath the surface and an honest perspective on running a successful process in today’s competitive landscape.
This session will feature a short audience Q&A.
meeting exchanges
60 MINS
Lobby - 1st Floor
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.
advisor hours
60 MINS
Networking Lounge - Gallery - 3rd Floor S
Meet with an Advisor: Funding Your R&D with SR&ED
Building something technical? Meet with a Canada Revenue Agency SR&ED Program Specialist to understand how refundable and non-refundable tax credits can put cash back into your startup. Learn what qualifies, how to claim, and how to make SR&ED work as part of your growth strategy.
Advisor Hours offer 15-minute drop-in meetings on a first-come, first-served basis. Come prepared with your biggest question, challenge, or pain point and what outcome you’d like to achieve. Advisors will share tailored, actionable insights you can put to work right away.
founder forum
20 MINS
Trading Floor - 2nd Floor
Breaking Into City Hall: How Startups Partner with Municipalities
Cities are some of the most powerful and complex partners a founder can have. Join us as we share firsthand insights on how startups can successfully work with cities and municipalities to pilot, launch, and scale innovative solutions. From navigating procurement to building the right relationships inside local government, this conversation will unpack practical strategies for turning municipal partnerships into real growth opportunities.
founder forum
20 MINS
Trading Floor - 2nd Floor
The Long Game: Building Global from Canada
Michael Tamblyn launched Canada’s first online bookstore before most people had bought anything on the internet. What followed were 30 years of building digital companies through every wave of disruption. As a member of Kobo’s founding team in 2009, Tamblyn helped turn a Toronto startup into a global reading platform now operating in over thirty countries, navigating every cycle of hype, crash and reinvention along the way. Especially relevant today, Kobo did the heavy lifting of building a truly global business, looking beyond North America to embrace the challenges and rewards of growth in Asia and Europe. As Canada looks beyond its traditional “next market” to the south, join us as we unpack what it takes for Canadians to win on the world stage.
founder forum
25 MINS
Trading Floor - 2nd Floor
Key Lessons from the Non-Dilutive Funding Path
Recent markets have seen a downward trend in Canadian VC fundraising, leading domestic startups to turn to alternative funding options. This panel takes you behind-the-scenes of building non-dilutive funding. From government grants to venture debt, hear from founders who have successfully navigated non-dilutive financing options to scale with intention, and the programs that support them. Unpack the risks and rewards of pursuing funds that don’t require giving up equity, while gaining insightful strategies for securing alternative funds.
meeting exchanges
60 MINS
Lobby - 1st Floor
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.
advisor hours
60 MINS
Networking Lounge - Gallery - 3rd Floor S
Meet with an Advisor: Investor-Ready Pitch Coaching
Get practical insights on your narrative, deck structure, delivery, and investor positioning. Whether you’re gearing up to raise or tightening your ask, you’ll leave with clear next steps to make your pitch sharper and more compelling.
Advisor Hours offer 15-minute drop-in meetings on a first-come, first-served basis. Come prepared with your biggest question, challenge, or pain point and what outcome you’d like to achieve. Advisors will share tailored, actionable insights you can put to work right away.
founder forum
25 MINS
Trading Floor - 2nd Floor
Mistakes You Can’t Undo: Cap Tables & Control (+ Q&A)
Your cap table isn’t paperwork, it’s power. From your first co-founder split to your first SAFE, option pool, and board seat, early ownership decisions quietly shape your fundraising leverage and long-term control. This session breaks down how to start building your cap table with intention: what to prioritize, what to avoid, and how to structure equity so it scales with your ambition. Designed for founders raising now (or soon), this talk will demystify dilution, governance, and investor alignment before small decisions become permanent ones.
This session will feature a short audience Q&A.
founder forum
20 MINS
Trading Floor - 2nd Floor
Scaling Trust: How Great Companies Build Loyalty from Day One
A loyal client base can be the make or break of any company. In this candid conversation, founders and industry leaders will explore how companies can earn, scale, and protect trust as they grow. Join us as we share practical insights on building credible brands, strengthening customer loyalty, and embedding trust into products and platforms from day one.
networking
90 MINS
Networking Lounge - Gallery - 3rd Floor S
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 2026. Appetizers and beverages will be served.
roundtables
45 MINS
Breakout Space - Gallery - 3rd Floor S
Founder Roundtables
Roundtables are exclusive to Startup passholders. Spots are limited to 11 attendees per table, and pre-registration is required via the Meeting Exchange platform.
We’ll host a total of five roundtable conversations during this 45-minute block.
Roundtable 1: Target the Right Investors: Smart Strategies for Focused Fundraising
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.
Zeeshan Ali – Partner, Wittington Ventures
Roundtable 2: Power Dynamics in Fundraising: Reading the Room and Reclaiming Leverage
Investor meetings can feel like power plays—but they don’t have to. In this interactive roundtable, founders will unpack how investor–founder dynamics shape negotiation outcomes and learn practical ways to read signals, set boundaries, and regain confidence in the fundraising process. Through guided discussion and shared experiences, participants will explore strategies to level the playing field and turn investor conversations into genuine partnerships.
Sarah Willson – Principal, Panache Ventures
Roundtable 3: Cracking the VC Code: Funding Strategies for Women Founders
Join this interactive conversation on bridging the gender gap in venture funding. With women-led startups still receiving only about 2% of global VC capital, this roundtable explores how founders can better connect with women-led funds and successfully navigate fundraising within male‑dominated firms. Gain practical strategies, insider perspectives, and guidance on presenting your venture with confidence to the right investors.
Emily Smiley – Executive Director, Movement51
Roundtable 4: From First Meeting to Term Sheet: Navigating Angel Group Power Dynamics
Walking into a room of 30 angels can feel intimidating and lopsided. In this session, Ozan will help founders understand the power dynamics at play in angel forums and follow-on calls, how to read the room, manage competing investor opinions, and stay in control of key deal terms while still getting to “yes”.
Ozan Isinak – President, Keiretsu Forum Canada
Roundtable 5: How to Pitch U.S. VCs from Pre-Seed to Series A
Join Caroline McManus, investor at Hyde Venture Partners, for an interactive roundtable designed to help Canadian founders sharpen their U.S. fundraising strategy. This session will explore what top U.S. venture capitalists look for at each stage—from framing a compelling story to establishing traction and navigating investor expectations. Founders are encouraged to bring their questions for an open, candid discussion that offers actionable feedback and practical guidance to strengthen their pitch and position their startup for cross-border success.
Caroline McManus, Investor, Hyde Park Venture Partners
networking
5:30PM - 9:00PM
Scotland Yard Pub (56 The Esplanade)
Official CIX Summit After Party (Hosted by TechTO)
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.
Free entry for the first 150 CIX Summit attendees that register – CIX pass required at the door. Don’t miss this premier post-summit gathering hosted by TechTO with support from Fasken & Gurulink! Reserve your spot here.