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British Columbia’s startup ecosystem will take center stage next month as 25 of the province’s most promising tech companies prepare to pitch to international investors at Innovate BC’s upcoming Investor Showcase.

Set for May 11, the invite-only event is part of Innovate BC’s Road to Web Summit Vancouver program, designed to help local companies build momentum ahead of one of the world’s largest technology conferences. The showcase will bring together a curated group of B.C. ventures and global capital partners for direct, pitch-focused engagement.

The selected companies span artificial intelligence, life sciences, cleantech, and robotics, reflecting both the diversity and maturity of the province’s innovation economy. Participants include Vancouver-based ChopValue, which has built a global micro-manufacturing model by transforming recycled chopsticks into high-performance materials, and Hydra Energy, a Delta company developing hydrogen-diesel retrofit systems aimed at reducing emissions in heavy-duty transportation.

Other featured companies include Variational AI, which is accelerating drug discovery using machine learning, Glüxkind, known for its AI-powered robotic strollers, and 7Gen, which is advancing hydrogen fuel cell and e-mobility solutions.

The showcase comes at a time of continued growth for B.C.’s tech sector. The province is now home to more than 12,000 tech companies employing over 180,000 people, with billions of dollars in venture capital flowing into local startups in recent years.

“B.C.’s entrepreneurs are tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges with bold ideas and breakthrough technologies,” said Innovate BC CEO Peter Cowan. “The Investor Showcase is an opportunity to connect our province’s high-potential tech companies with global investors who recognize the strength of our innovation ecosystem and enable further growth and greater impact.”

For the selected startups, the event represents more than a pitch opportunity. With Web Summit Vancouver expected to attract thousands of investors, founders, and technology leaders from around the world, the showcase serves as a strategic gateway to global markets and capital.

As international attention turns toward Vancouver, Innovate BC is positioning its top ventures not just to raise funding, but to establish British Columbia as a leading destination for innovation on the global stage.