Why Vancouver and B.C. Are a Gateway to Global Markets

British Columbia has emerged as one of North America’s most connected innovation economies — linking companies, talent, and capital to global opportunities. Vancouver, in particular, plays a central role in this connectivity, supported by strong sector clusters, global trade access, and a collaborative innovation ecosystem. As Web Summit Vancouver approaches, the region is preparing to showcase how B.C. companies are scaling internationally and solving global challenges.

Built for Global Connection

Metro Vancouver’s location, infrastructure, and international business relationships position the region as a natural gateway between North America and Asia-Pacific markets. According to Invest Vancouver’s Doing Business in Metro Vancouver Guide, the region’s global trade networks, major port access, and international air connectivity support companies expanding into international markets while attracting foreign investment into B.C.’s innovation economy.

The region’s workforce also strengthens its global competitiveness. Metro Vancouver continues to attract skilled talent across technology, life sciences, and creative industries, supported by strong post-secondary institutions and a diverse workforce that reflects global markets and customer bases.

“The Metro Vancouver region brings together world-class talent that can truly power innovation and a supportive, globally connected business environment built for ambitious companies. Few regions offer the same level of cross-sector collaboration and global connectivity within a single innovation ecosystem,” said Jacquie Griffiths, President, Invest Vancouver.

Globally Competitive Sector Clusters

B.C.’s gateway advantage is strengthened by sector clusters supporting companies as they scale and commercialize new technologies. Spanning agritech, artificial intelligence, cleantech, creative technology, life sciences, and oceantech, these clusters are supported by local organizations that guide companies toward commercialization, partnerships, and market expansion.

• AI in BC
• Clean Energy BC
• COAST
• DigiBC
• Life Sciences BC
• Quantum Algorithms Institute
• SFU BC Centre for Agritech Innovation

Momentum across these sectors is reflected in reporting from the Vancouver Tech Journal, whose annual ecosystem review highlights significant investment activity, leadership growth, and expanding global reach — all signals of a maturing and thriving innovation economy.

Scaling Beyond Borders

Companies across the province are turning local innovation into worldwide impact. In cybersecurity, Burnaby-based Fortinet has built a global footprint from its B.C. operations. In clean technology, companies like Moment Energy (Tri-Cities/Surrey) and Mangrove Lithium (Delta) are advancing battery reuse and critical mineral processing to support the global energy transition. Coquitlam’s Photonic is pushing the frontier of quantum innovation, while Vancouver’s Trulioo continues to enable digital identity verification across continents.

“We are excited to transform British Columbia into a leader in second-life EV batteries, building on the electric vehicle ecosystem of the province on the world stage,” says Edward Chiang, Co-founder and CEO, Moment Energy

British Columbia is also home to globally scaled SaaS leaders such as Clio, supporting legal professionals in more than 100 countries, and enterprise platforms like Safe Software, whose data integration tools are used across government, infrastructure, and industry worldwide.

Alongside homegrown success stories, international companies including Remitly, Highspot, Lumotive, and Peliplat have chosen to grow their operations in the region — reinforcing B.C.’s reputation as a strategic location for global technology firms.

“Peliplat operates at the intersection of film, television, and technology, making the Metro Vancouver region the perfect match. The ‘Hollywood North’ infrastructure, combined with a thriving tech sector—home to major players like Microsoft and Amazon—made it clear that this was the right place for us,” says Bob Woolsey, Public Relations Manager, Peliplat.

Together, these companies reflect the depth, diversity, and collaborative strength of B.C.’s innovation ecosystem — one that supports both locally founded ventures and international firms as they scale into global markets.

Web Summit Vancouver: Accelerating Global Opportunity

Web Summit Vancouver will further strengthen B.C.’s role as a global innovation connector. The event will bring international investors, multinational companies, founders, and industry leaders together in Vancouver, creating new pathways for collaboration and market access.

Through targeted programming like the BC Pavilion, investor engagement sessions, pitch competitions, and partner-led events, Web Summit Vancouver will showcase companies from across the province — including innovators from regional communities, Indigenous-led businesses, youth entrepreneurs, and underrepresented founders.

By connecting local innovators with global networks, the event supports B.C.’s long-term strategy to grow internationally competitive companies and strengthen the province’s reputation as a destination for high-growth innovation.

A Province Positioned for Global Growth

British Columbia’s unique combination of international market access, strong talent development, and sector-driven innovation continues to position Vancouver as a launchpad for companies entering global markets.

As Web Summit Vancouver approaches, the province has an opportunity to showcase not only its innovation strengths, but also the coordinated ecosystem supporting companies as they grow, attract investment, and compete on the world stage.