The Vancouver Entrepreneurs Forum (VEF) Road to Web Summit Women in Tech & Impact Tech Pitch Showcase with support from Innovate BC’s R2WSV program is back for 2026! This training and skill building pathway is designed to prepare high-potential impact businesses with women founders to pitch and sell at one of the world’s most influential global tech events, Web Summit Vancouver.

This program is built for women-identifying founders who are serious about sharpening their pitch, strengthening investor readiness, connecting with customers, and increasing their visibility ahead of Web Summit.

Applications are now open. Click here to apply or keep reading for details. 

Thank you to Innovate BC’s R2WSV for supporting this program. Presented in collaboration with NorthX, Innovation UBC.

Why attend the showcase pitch event.

For investors, partners, and ecosystem leaders, the showcase offers:

• Curated pitches from high-quality, emerging companies

• Insight into founder readiness and deal flow ahead of Web Summit

• Direct access to founders actively building and fundraising

• A focused networking environment with Vancouver’s innovation community

Tickets will be on sale soon!

Want to pitch at the Showcase? We are looking for women-identifying founders who:

• Are building ambitious, scalable companies that are for profit and for good, or impactful social ventures  

• Are actively preparing to raise capital, find new customers, or accelerate growth at Web Summit Vancouver 

• Want direct, practical feedback from investors, pitch coaches, mentors, sales professionals, and experienced operators

• Are ready to refine their story, pitch, and presence for high-stakes conversations

This is a competitive, selective program intended for founders who are ready to show up and do the work.

Applications are open now.

What selected founders will receive

• In-person pitch and storytelling training, finance bootcamp, and sales training

• Live feedback from investors and ecosystem leaders

• A curated showcase pitch opportunity in front of a live audience

• Meaningful connections to investors, mentors, advisors, and partners

And more to help them prepare to maximize impact at Web Summit.

Program timeline

• Applications open: Week of February 2

• Promotion period: February 2 – March 2

• Application review: March 2 – March 6

• Invitations issued: Week of March 9

• In-person training: March 30

• Showcase pitch final: April 21

Apply now.