[As Seen On BetaKit] The BetaKit Guide To The Web Summit, including Frontline Insights with Felix Böck
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Web Summit is touching down on Canada’s best coast for the very first time.
The global tech conference replaces Collision as North America’s flagship tech conference. Over 15,000 people are expected to show up, including founders, VCs, policymakers, and even a few celebrities.
For British Columbia’s growing tech scene, it’s a moment. More than 300 companies from BC’s thriving tech ecosystem will showcase their products and services at the event. The timing feels right, but four days of panels, parties, and side quests can be a lot.
The BetaKit Guide: Web Summit Vancouver features picks and perspectives from our readers: who to see, where to go, what to skip, and how to navigate the week without missing out (or burning out).
The big picture
Audience insights
Most anticipated speaker: Jay Graber
CEO of BlueSky
More than half of BetaKit’s readers named Graber, whose Mandarin name, Lantian, translates to Blue Sky, as the Web Summit speaker they’re most excited to see.
“I’m thrilled that Web Summit is coming to Vancouver and bringing the global tech community to our city. One of the most iconic things about Vancouver is how seamlessly nature and city life come together. You can live, work, and play in a world-class downtown area, just minutes from waterfront views, local art, and amazing food. I always encourage visitors to check out Granville Island. It’s just across False Creek and offers a uniquely Vancouver experience, with public markets, artisan studios and unbeatable views of the city.”
Ken Sim
Mayor of Vancouver
The speakers
Stay up to date on the complete speaker lineup and schedule on Web Summit Vancouver’s website.
The headliners
Jay Graber
Bluesky
WIRED’s Katie Drummond will chat with Jay Graber, CEO of the Jack Dorsey-founded company reimagining social media through open, decentralized networks. Graber built the social events platform Happening and contributed to the privacy-focused cryptocurrency Zcash, before bringing her mix of technical depth and civic vision to the X challenger.
Dr. Cornel West
Harvard University
One of the world’s most preeminent public intellectuals, Dr. Cornel West is professor of the practice of public philosophy at Harvard University, and holds the title of professor emeritus at Princeton. Dr. West will be delivering a session to Web Summit Vancouver attendees examining how we can “recode” our approach to truth and dialogue in digital spaces and society.
The investors
Michael Yang
OMERS Ventures
The Senior Managing Partner of OMERS Ventures will unpack how VCs are adapting to a changing financial landscape.
Jack Selby
Thiel Capital
The Managing Director of Peter Thiel’s family office will talk about the pressure on traditional venture models as IPOs slow to a trickle.
Edith Yeung
Race Capital
Yeung will dive into how VCs are embracing AI and what it means for raising capital in a transformed ecosystem.
Sven Strohband
Khosla Ventures
The Managing Director at Khosla Ventures will discuss prioritizing the sustainable development of AI.
Celebrity Speaker Metta World Peace
The famous former hooper has partnered with former Boost Mobile CEO Stephen Stokols to launch a $100-million USD venture fund targeting sports tech, digital media platforms and health and wellness innovation. He will join fellow NBA stars JaVale McGee and Baron Davis to discuss how they’re building ventures off the court and across music, media, tech, private equity, and more.
Recommendation: Frontline insights
“While we pursue positive momentum, celebrate innovation and the who’s who in tech, the meaningful insights of warzone correspondent Muhammad Lila are something I look forward to—an uncomfortable insight I’d like to make space for living in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.”
Felix Böck, Founder and CEO
ChopValue
Hot tip: How can attendees capture value from the event?
“Go in with a topic you’re deeply curious about, and chase every session, speaker, and connection tied to it. Depth > breadth in a conference this size.”
Jack Newton, Founder and CEO
Clio