Canadian technology and startup festival with AI company leaders and investors.
AI leaders, technical decision-makers, founders and investors
Official event website · Registration details
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Registration · Editorial classification · Sep 22, 2026 · 14:00–21:00 local time; timezone inferred
Badges can be picked up at Meridian Hall between 2:00pm – 9:00pm. We encourage you to arrive early to pick up your badge to avoid lines.
Not classified · Sep 22, 2026 · 17:00–18:00 local time; timezone inferred
Come early and hear from unicorns in the making as they present powerful 3min pitches. Who knows, you might find your next investment!
Not classified · Sep 22, 2026 · 18:00–20:00 local time; timezone inferred
Elevate Festival 2026 starts right here. Presented by TD and hosted by Amber Mac, experience an evening of world-class speakers and bold ideas as global leaders in tech and innovation take the stage to explore the trends and breakthroughs defining the future. This year, we’re kicking off the festival with… An exciting announcement from Elevate CEO Lisa Zarzeczny. TD’s Rizwan Khalfan joins Cohere’s Francois Chadwick to discuss how organizations can move from experimentation to responsible adoption. Justin Scaini from Kids Help Phone returns with new findings at the intersection of youth mental health and tech. Avinash Sooriyarachchi and Howard Cohen from Mistral show us the path to owning your AI Future. A look inside the creative process of Julio Himede – the creative lead behind Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, the Grammy Awards, and tours for Shakira, Doechii, and Alicia Keys. Get a glimpse at the future of search and user privacy with DuckDuckGo CPO, Beah Burger-Lenehan. Toronto Raptors legend and six-time NBA All-Star Kyle Lowry joins us for a fireside chat on his career, his connection to Toronto, and cultivating a winning mindset.
Official agendaNetworking · Sep 22, 2026 · 20:00–21:00 local time; timezone inferred
Wind down the day with drinks, light bites and great company at the Trailblazer Reception. Please note: This event is only open to Trailblazers, Investors and Speakers.
Registration · Editorial classification · Sep 23, 2026 · 08:00–17:00 local time; timezone inferred
Badges can be picked up at Meridian Hall between 8:00am – 5:00pm. We encourage you to arrive early to pick up your badge to avoid lines.
Not classified · Sep 23, 2026 · 09:45–10:35 local time; timezone inferred
This Crash Course is designed for: Product leaders of all levels and startup founders or operators who lead and hire product talent Early stage companies face an inherent tension between what product leaders are trained to do, and what founders are wired to do. This Crash Course provides a step-by-step framework for naming that tension and thriving through it. Whether you are a product leader seeking strategies for success, or a founder seeking clarity on what it takes to hire and lead product talent, this interactive session will empower you to deliver value. What to bring: Pen and paper or device to take notes
Official agendaNot classified · Sep 23, 2026 · 10:00–10:05 local time; timezone inferred
Welcome to the next chapter of Canadian fintech, where digital assets, evolving regulation, trust, and global payments are reshaping how money moves. On this stage, we’ll explore Canada’s opportunity to lead in financial innovation, hear from the founders and leaders building what’s next, and uncover how Canadian fintech can drive growth, competitiveness, and global impact.
Official agendaNetworking · Sep 23, 2026 · 10:00–16:00 local time; timezone inferred
We’ve launched a new networking program for attendees! Make the most of your time at Festival with AI-powered matchmaking in the official event app. Book meetings with the right connections and meet 1-on-1 with new people in our Networking Lounge. Please note: Meetings must be pre-booked to access the Networking Lounge.
Roundtable · Sep 23, 2026 · 10:00–10:45 local time; timezone inferred
Roundtables are exclusive to Startup Pass holders who pre-book their seats on the Elevate Booking Platform. If you are a Startup Pass holder, you will receive a link to access the Booking platform by email. Roundtable 1: Battle Test Your Pitch Host: Mikayla Wronko Roundtable 2: Building the Operating System for an Early-Stage StartupHost: Claire Fauquier Roundtable 3: What Early-Stage Investors Actually Look ForHost: Elizabeth Yin Roundtable 4: Fundamentals of Making Your Business FundableHosts: William Ma
Official agendaNot classified · Sep 23, 2026 · 10:00–10:05 local time; timezone inferred
Welcome to the Sovereign Growth Stage, where Canadian innovation meets the challenge of building a more resilient, competitive economy. Explore the technologies, businesses, and strategies shaping Canada’s future and hear from the leaders building and investing in the capabilities Canada needs to compete, scale, and lead on the global stage.
Official agendaNot classified · Sep 23, 2026 · 10:05–10:15 local time; timezone inferred
The world is changing fast, and Canada can’t afford to sit on the sidelines. From AI and defence to critical infrastructure, energy, and advanced manufacturing, the technologies we build and control will shape our economic future. Today we’ll ask the big question: can Canada turn its homegrown innovation into the global advantage it needs to compete?
Official agendaNot classified · Sep 23, 2026 · 10:25–10:30 local time; timezone inferred
This is where we celebrate early-stage founders, investors, and industry leaders as they explore today’s vibrant startup landscape. From pitches to demos, and insightful workshops, get an exclusive look at the future in action. So take a seat, grab some headphones, and tune into bold ideas.
Official agendaNot classified · Sep 23, 2026 · 10:30–11:00 local time; timezone inferred
In 2019, Beah Burger-Lenehan joined online privacy company, DuckDuckGo, as their first product management hire. Today, Beah oversees DuckDuckGo’s full portfolio of privacy products and features as their CPO. In this AMA, Beah gets candid about her career journey and her drive to build user-respecting products that make the internet a better place. Whether you’re curious about product, big tech alternatives, or doing good via the products you build, now is your chance to ask Beah anything.
Official agendaNot classified · Sep 23, 2026 · 10:30–10:35 local time; timezone inferred
Elevate Co-Founder and CEO Lisa Zarzeczny welcomes you to the Festival and and kicks off a full slate of the biggest leaders in tech and innovation.
Official agendaNot classified · Sep 23, 2026 · 10:30–11:00 local time; timezone inferred
For over a decade, DMZ has backed bold tech entrepreneurs building what’s next. From AI-powered wellness and financial technology to digital health, event technology and construction innovation – discover the bold solutions transforming how we live, work and connect.
Official agendaNot classified · Sep 23, 2026 · 10:35–10:55 local time; timezone inferred
As AI makes answers faster and content easier to create, human perspective is becoming more valuable, not less. Adam Collins explores why people still turn to communities to validate decisions, understand trade-offs, and find trusted perspectives. From keeping platforms human to connecting conversations across languages and turning answers into lasting communities, he’ll share how we need to be building for a world where technology scales information, while cultivating trust.
Official agendaNot classified · Sep 23, 2026 · 10:40–11:00 local time; timezone inferred
Notice the tiny pause before you pay somewhere new? That half-second flinch is your gut asking a very old question: can I trust this? As digital products have become faster and more automated, every app, checkout, and experience starts to feel the same. And when everything is seamless, seamless alone is no longer a differentiator. The real competitive edge is something you can’t clone, download, or build overnight: trust.
Official agendaNot classified · Sep 23, 2026 · 10:55–11:15 local time; timezone inferred
Canada’s space economy needs a strong ecosystem to thrive. This conversation will explore how founders, investors, government, industry, and research institutions can work together to help Canadian space companies move from innovation to scale. We’ll examine the champions, capital, and long-term commitment needed to build a resilient space economy that can compete and grow globally.
Official agendaNot classified · Sep 23, 2026 · 10:55–11:05 local time; timezone inferred
Entrepreneurs are helping shape Canada’s future, and the experience of building a business is rapidly changing. To support the next generation of innovators, we must first understand who Modern Entrepreneurs are – and what they need to succeed. Tangerine, in partnership with PwC, will unveil new research on the state of entrepreneurship in Canada. Together, we’ll explore the realities facing today’s builders, uncover emerging trends shaping the future of entrepreneurship, and discuss how founders, investors, financial institutions, and community leaders can work together to create the conditions for Canadian businesses to thrive.
Official agendaNot classified · Sep 23, 2026 · 11:00–11:25 local time; timezone inferred
Is a Canadian-dollar stablecoin the next evolution of digital finance or a solution in search of a problem? This panel will explore the case for a “loonie stablecoin,” from payments and financial innovation to regulation, adoption, and the potential impact on Canada’s digital economy.
Official agendaRoundtable · Sep 23, 2026 · 11:00–11:45 local time; timezone inferred
Roundtables are exclusive to Startup Pass holders who pre-book their seats on the Elevate Booking Platform. If you are a Startup Pass holder, you will receive a link to access the Booking platform by email. Roundtable 1: The AI Action Gap: From Insight to ExecutionHost: Kristin Spong Roundtable 2: No Sales Team, No Problem: How Founders Can Win Their First CustomersHost: Claudia Harvey Roundtable 3: Mastering Deal Structure: Navigating Early-Stage Valuations and Investor Alignment for a Successful ExitHost: Ozan Isinak Roundtable 4: Winning Corporate Startup Deals: From First Meeting to Scaled PartnershipHosts: Marcus Daniels
Official agendaNot classified · Sep 23, 2026 · 11:05–11:25 local time; timezone inferred
Housing and healthcare are two of the most important and deeply entrenched industries in our lives. And that’s why Minna Song believes they’re worth reinventing. Drawing on EliseAI’s journey from automating apartment leasing to building AI for housing and healthcare, Minna will share what it takes to challenge legacy systems and build products that make essential services work better for the people who depend on them.
Official agendaNot classified · Sep 23, 2026 · 11:15–12:00 local time; timezone inferred
We’re celebrating 5 years of supporting unique & inspiring Canadian startups through eCommerce North, Canada’s leading commerce-focused accelerator program. In this unique competition you’ll hear pitches from five commerce-focused companies building solutions to drive value for merchants of the future. Test your VC skills and try to guess which founder will be walking away with a $10,000 grant from Moneris to support their growth!
Official agendaNot classified · Sep 23, 2026 · 11:15–11:45 local time; timezone inferred
AI is being pushed on women from every direction, and the message is clear: Use AI or risk falling behind. This is the feminization of AI, with women influencers and celebrities now its face, helping Big Tech scale AI into every aspect of our lives, from fitness and fashion to caregiving and work. We’ll trace bias from design to deployment, explore risks from surveillance to deepfakes, and build a model for AI discernment in our own lives.
Official agendaShowing 8 of 8 source records. A source check is not a claim of complete extraction.
September13 schedule review: all120 dated official schedule cards extracted, including registration, restricted roundtables and receptions. Published descriptions retain ticket/access restrictions; named speaker cards do not imply attendee participation. Local times geographically mapped to America/Toronto (inferred). Session speaker joins use exact names; existing roster retained.
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