The BetaKit Guide
Toronto Tech Week
2025
Presented by
Video courtesy of Jim Desautels
“Collision was what Toronto needed five years ago. Now we only need each other.”
That was the post on X from Satish Kanwar that started it all: a call to arms for Toronto tech to fill the void created when the international conference left town in 2024.
From June 23 to 27, Toronto Tech Week will introduce a new, homegrown event that is less of a conference and more of a festival. With nice dinners.
Toronto Tech Week does not have a trade show floor or single location. Its central, volunteer-led organization is structured as a non-profit, supported by partners including Google, Shopify, and the City of Toronto.
Unlike other tech happenings, this five-day unconference is community-designed, and Toronto Tech Week will feature almost 300 events organized directly by builders, investors, boosters, and ecosystem heavyweights to meet the needs and priorities of the sector.
Toronto Tech Week will showcase the country’s biggest builders, assemble its brightest minds, and demonstrate what Canadian tech can do.
For the complete lineup, head to Toronto Tech Week’s super cool event calendar. If you’re looking for a few can’t-miss picks: we got you.
BetaKit is the official media partner of Toronto Tech Week, so we’ll see you there!
How it began
“The thing that I love most about the Toronto tech community is just how motivated everyone is to do the right and best thing for the ecosystem over all else. It was a really easy and inspiring set of conversations of people coming to the shared realization that we could all pull off one massive thing together a lot better by combining these resources, rather than trying to build in a lot of different directions.”
Satish Kanwar
Toronto Tech Week organizer and BetaKit Board Chair
01 /
The main events
Events like Toronto Tech Week create a key moment in time for investors, founders, builders, and backers to convene in a single place, creating critical mass and geographic focus on opportunities. Toronto Tech Week’s anchor events will showcase Canada’s biggest names and boldest opportunities, while leaving lots of room for private dinners, networking parties, and real work to be done.
BetaKit Most Ambitious
Monday, June 23 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
To kick off Toronto Tech Week, we’re dropping the first issue of BetaKit Most Ambitious, designed to spotlight the big swings being taken across the Canadian tech and innovation landscape. A limited-edition print issue of BetaKit Most Ambitious will be available at select Toronto Tech Week events, including BetaKit Town Hall on Monday June 23. This ticketed event will feature a range of inspiring speakers talking about their ambitions for Canadian tech, and themselves.
BetaKit Town Hall featured speakers
Katherine Homuth
Oomira
Aaron Rodericks
BlueSky
Rahul Goel
Nordspace
Socratica
Diana Virgovicova
Xatoms
Stephanie Lipp
MycoFutures
Phil De Luna
Deep Sky
Ulys Sorok
GRAM
Homecoming
Tuesday, June 24 | 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
An audience of 1,000+ will assemble for a mainstage event featuring the biggest Canadian names in tech and the promise of real talk. Tickets are already sold out, so if you don’t have one, make sure to catch the live stream!
Homecoming featured speakers
Tobi Lütke
CEO & Co-Founder, Shopify
Sanja Fidler
VP of AI Research, NVIDIA
Chamath Palihapitiya
CEO & Founder, Social Capital
Raquel Urtasun
CEO & Founder, Waabi
Aidan Gomez
CEO & Co-Founder, Cohere
Michael Katchen
CEO & Founder, Wealthsimple
CDL Super Session
Mon June 23 – Tues June 24
A nationwide network of Canadian innovation, CDL offers a unique program for scalable, seed-stage, science- and technology-based companies. “The word ‘lab’ is the most important part of our name,” said CEO Sonia Sennik. “We’re transforming science into things that can help humanity. A network like this has never existed.”
This year’s “Super Session” will feature Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke, 2024 Turing Award winner Richard Sutton, and Nirvanic Founder and CEO Suzanne Gildert among its main stage speakers.
Frontiers of AI: Insights from a Nobel Laureate
Wednesday June 25 | 3:00pm – 4:30pm
The Toronto tech landscape has some notable icons, but few more accomplished, interesting, or impactful than Geoffrey Hinton.
The Canadian Godfather of AI will appear at the University of Toronto’s Convocation Hall for a candid conversation on the future of AI with his former student (and Cohere co-founder) Nick Frosst, moderated by CBC’s Nora Young.
The day will kick off with MaRS Mornings: Frontiers of AI, hosted by MaRS, the University of Toronto, the Vector Institute, and Desjardins Group, and featuring panels, demos, and workshops with AI leaders.
Elevate Talks, featuring Elizabeth Stone, Netflix CTO
Thursday, June 26 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
The original hometown tech event will bring together leaders from Netflix, Canada Goose, and Air Canada for an exclusive look at how innovation happens inside iconic global brands.
A moment made by Toronto, for Toronto
“Toronto has always been a city of builders, but it needs a rallying point. Toronto Tech Week is creating space for the city’s tech community to come together on its own terms and galvanize the people turning ideas into companies, and momentum into outcomes.”
Olivia Chow
Mayor of Toronto
02 /
FOMO FYI
Some of the sector’s best work occurs far from the main stages, when builders can gather for private dinners, events, and gatherings where real connections are made.
BetaKit X DMZ Most Ambitious Launch Party
Mon June 23
7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Celebrating the launch of BetaKit Most Ambitious and the DMZ’s 15th anniversary.
The Summer Party Hosted by Golden Ventures & Crosslink Capital
Tues June 24
6:00 PM
Last year’s hottest party is back, for those with the Golden ticket.
BDC Seed VF x CAIN Ecosystem Dinner
Wed June 25
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Early-stage stakeholders and community builders from across Canada.
Dreamwell Mania
Fri June 27
6:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Dreamwell is taking over a Bridle Path mansion for Toronto Tech Week.
Finance Leader Skyline Social
Tues June 24
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
A rooftop soiree at Float Financial HQ for senior Finance professionals.
03 /
Big ‘ol bashes
Some of Toronto’s most active community supporters are throwing celebrations during Toronto Tech Week.
Happy Hour with Shopify Ventures
Tues June 24 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
This gathering brings together experienced founders and investors for an evening of candid conversation across AI, Commerce, Dev Tools, and FinTech.
TechTO Summer Social
Wed June 25 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Join 500 tech leaders and community members at Bobby Bermuda’s Sunset Bar for burgers, drinks, and great conversations by the waterfront.
Two Small Fish Open House
Thurs June 26 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
The event will feature two engaging fireside chats with Mohammad Norouzi, Co-Founder and CEO of Ideogram and Hang Chu, Co-Founder and CEO of Viggle.
Tulum in Toronto
Thursday, June 26 | 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
OneEleven’s Summer Social invites founders, creators, and investors for beachy beats, tropical bites, curated vendors, and resort-chic energy at The Well Court.
SUPERCOLLIDER: Toronto Tech Communities Afterparty
Friday, June 27 | 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM
SUPERCOLLIDER is the high-voltage afterparty of Toronto Tech Week, uniting startups, VCs, devs, and AI minds under one roof. Happening June 27 at GRETA BAR YYZ.
What makes a great tech event?
“The best tech events are intentional. It starts with asking: what do I want to create, and how does this bring value to others? Great events have thoughtful content, the right people in the room, and a vibe that feels personal. The magic happens when every attendee leaves with something that sticks—whether it’s a new idea, a meaningful connection, or a moment that shifts their thinking.”
Mell Truong
Founder & Growth Partner, Sage Consulting Co.
Founding Partner & Co-Organizer, Toronto Tech Week
04 /
Real talk
A lot of panels suck. But TTW event hosts have convened meaningful discussions between top leaders in Toronto tech, providing real insight into top-of-mind issues and on-the-ground realities.
FinTech Market Overview, Hosted by Interac @ TechTO HQ
Powered by Interac, TechTO’s FinTech Market Overview offers a deep dive into the forces shaping the future of financial technology.
The two-hour event will bring together leading voices in Canadian FinTech for a sharp look at market trends and the innovations driving real change. The day will feature James Lucas, Lead of Innovational Alliances at Interac, and Christian Lassonde, Founder and Managing Partner at Impression Ventures, and more.
Monday Girl x Intuit: Women in AI Meetup
Mon June 23 | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
The experiences of women technologists working in the AI space will be discussed by Elena Yunusov of Human Feedback Foundation, Monday Girl’s Rachel Wong, and Intuit’s Neha Giri and Phouphet Sihavong.
Off The Record: Zain Manji at Studio 535
Wed June 25 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Hosted by Studio 253, this candid talk by Zain Manji will focus on his work crypto, AI, and commerce as the co-founder of Lazer, and draw on a mindset developed as a former world-ranking junior tennis player.
TiEQuest Summit 2025: Building in Canada for the World
Thurs June 26 | 8:45 AM – 5:00 PM
Hear from a range of Canadian leaders, including Knix Founder Joanna Griffiths—in conversation with BetaKit CEO Siri Agrell—Clio CEO and Founder Jack Newton, and Maverix Private Equity’s John Ruffolo.
Shopify Tech Talks
Thurs June 26 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Shopify’s Head of Engineering, Farhan Thawar, will host Faire Co-Founder Marcelo Cortes and former Shopify CTO Jean-Michel Lemieux to talk building at scale. Developer Productivity lead Daniel Doubrovkine will then sit down with Google VP Michael Bachman.
The Founder Mindset: NEXT Canada Class with Reza Satchu & Josh Domingues
Fri June 26 | 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
The afternoon will feature demos from the latest NEXT Canada cohort, as well as a Founder Mindset class featuring Josh Domingues, Founder and Chairman of Flashfood, and NEXT Canada Founding Chairman Reza Satchu.
The trust factor: Unlocking the CEO mindset with ada x 1Password
Fri June 26 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Two of Canada’s top founders, Ada CEO Mike Murchison and 1Password Co-CEO Jeff Shiner, will have a candid, one-on-one conversation on the pressure of pivots, leadership, and personal growth.
05 /
Time to build
Good tech events are more than just talk. Toronto Tech Week provides a range of opportunities for young companies, entrepreneurs, and builders who are ready to pitch their idea, or make something new.
TechTO Hackathon
Mon June 23 | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
A 12-hour hackathon focused on “Connected Experiences.” Builders will design AI agents that foster real-world connections before, during, and after events.
AI Agent Builders Competition
Tues June 24 | 12:00 PM – 4:30 PM
This event brings together AI Agent builders, investors, and the AI-curious for a hands-on competition. Learn, build, and showcase your agent in teams for a chance to win prizes.
DMZ Insiders
Tues June 24 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
DMZ Insiders returns with an afternoon of fast-paced pitches, followed by an investment reveal from DMZ Ventures and a crowd-voted prize.
no name hackathon
Thurs June 26 | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Co-hosted by Loblaws Digital, this is a full-day build fest for cracked devs, curious PMs, and creative technologists. Compete for cash, jerseys, and bragging rights.
Google for Startups Accelerator Demo Day
Thurs June 26 | 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Meet the 14 startups from the 2025 Google for Startups Accelerator: Canada cohort as they share how they’re building impactful AI and ML-driven businesses.
Co-Founder Connect
Fri June 26 | 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
The Black Entrepreneurship Alliance and YSpace host an evening built for founders and builders. Featuring Dwayne Ford, Co-Founder and CTO at Mantle, Bloom Founder and CEO Avery Francis, and Storytime Capital’s Neil Grunberg, and featuring a co-founder matching session, rapid-fire pitches, and impeccable vibes.
A grassroots effort
“TTW needed to be locally led to reflect Toronto’s vibrant tech ecosystem and resonate with its builders. The goal was to create a grassroots initiative where everyone has the freedom and agency to shape the week in the way they want.
The response from the community has been nothing short of incredible. There’s so much pent-up energy that simply needed a place to be channelled.”
Ameet Shah
Partner, Golden Ventures
Founding Partner & Co-Organizer, Toronto Tech Week
06 /
Fun and games
The thing about being super online, is that it sometimes means you’re super inside. The tech sector is ready to step out into the sunlight and make connections through the power of (checks notes) actually having fun.
Brunch in the Park
Sun June 22 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Do you like APIs and IPAs? Head to the Toronto Islands for brunch and frisbee.
SunSeek 5km Run
June 23, 25, 27
7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Ease into your day with a 5K run and guided sauna experience, hosted by SunSeek and Othership Yorkville. Studio 535
Startup Sweats
Tues June 24 |
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
A high-energy 50-minute strength and conditioning session, sponsored by Alan.
Georgian Presents Workout & Workshop: AI, Applied 2025 Research Launch
Thurs June 25 | 7:00 AM – 10:30 AM
This invite-only morning pairs a high-energy HIIT workout with insights from Georgian and NewtonX’s latest AI, Applied report.
Sunset Founders Flow
Thurs June 25 | 6:45 PM – 8:30 PM
Take a break from the tech grind with WellxTO’s Sunset Founders Flow. This midweek yoga session blends movement, mindfulness, and connection set against sunset skies during.
Biohacking, Energy Optimization & Digital Balance for High-Performers
Fri June 26 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Hosted by The Hira Collective, Peak State is a wellness experience for founders, investors, and tech leaders, featuring expert-led activations in breathwork and movement.
Sun, Sand & Innovation Networking Social/Mixer
Thurs June 26 | 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Sun, Sand & Innovation brings entrepreneurs, investors, and builders together at Woodbine Beach for an afternoon of connection and conversation.
Tech Basketball Run
Thurs June 26 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Bringing founders, investors, and tech pros together for a friendly, high-energy game. All skill levels are welcome, but sneakers are required.
Immersive Tech @ Casa Loma
Fri June 26 | 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Created by Patrick Keenan, a senior product designer at Meta and Co-Founder of Secret City, this unique event will demonstrate how cutting-edge technology can transform traditional escape rooms into fully immersive adventures.
“Now, more than ever, Canadians need to be able to rely on trusted, homegrown brands. At Interac, we’re proud of our Canadian roots and remain committed to supporting the growth of a strong, inclusive tech ecosystem in this country. We’re thrilled to partner with Toronto Tech Week as it brings together innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders who are shaping the future of Canadian technology. As a brand built at the intersection of trust and innovation, Interac is committed to supporting events like Toronto Tech Week—ones that spark new ideas, foster collaboration, and drive the kind of innovation that fuels what’s next for tech in Canada.”
Debbie Gamble
Group Head and Chief Marketing Officer. Interac Corp.
🔥 Hot tip
Tap in to Toronto Tech Week
You can now tap to pay for your adult transit fare with Interac Debit on the TTC, GO Transit and the UP Express to navigate the city during Toronto Tech Week!
Data sourced by Toronto Tech Week
Designing the TTW brand
“Toronto carries its own distinct character; modern and playful, ambitious but unpretentious. The creative direction of Toronto Tech Week celebrates our unique spirit through a modern take on retro computing—creating familiarity while still feeling futuristic.
The website features an interactive streetcar that travels through the skyline, a feature inspired by my daily commute to the studio. We wanted visitors to immediately understand: this isn’t San Francisco or New York. This is unmistakably Toronto, and that distinction is a strength.”
Taha Hossain
Founder & Creative Director, Daybreak Studio
Interac Corp. is proud to be an event partner at Toronto Tech Week. As one of Canada’s leading and most trusted financial brands, Interac empowers Canadians to transact digitally with confidence by providing payment and value exchange services.
Made in Canada for Canadians, Interac helps Canadians stay in charge of their money and offers low-fee payment solutions that enable businesses accepting Interac e-Transfer and Interac Debit to keep more of what they earn. With nearly 300 financial institutions in our network, Canadians rely on Interac products over 20 million times daily.