BC Pavilion Program

9:30 AM: Indigenous Innovation in Microgrids & Energy Sovereignty 

This session explored how First Nations are bypassing legacy infrastructure to build energy-independent, renewable-led communities. The discussion focused on the intersection of decentralized energy technology, community sovereignty, and Indigenous equity, highlighting the shift toward full ownership and leadership in the clean energy sector. Drawing on the growing momentum of Indigenous-led clean energy projects across British Columbia, the panel showcased how microgrids and distributed energy resources serve as both technical solutions and a foundational platform for economic reconciliation and long-term energy autonomy.

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10:30 AM: Resilient Clean Energy Projects: Preparing BC’s Grid for Climate Extremes

This session addressed the urgent need to protect generation and transmission infrastructure against intensifying climate volatility, from wildfires to flooding. The discussion focused on how cutting-edge technological innovations — including AI-driven hazard detection and autonomous suppression — are being deployed to future-proof and reinforce the grid.

Bringing together independent power producers, cleantech innovators, and climate adaptation specialists, the panel examined how strategic natural resource management and resilient design are essential for securing vital energy assets. By integrating proactive monitoring with real-world pilot programs, these partnerships ensure our growing electricity system remains a reliable foundation for a clean energy future.

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Day two of the 2026 competition featured a curated group of B.C. companies, each delivering fast-paced pitches to a panel of expert judges. After preliminary rounds, top ventures advanced to a live finale — competing for a $10,000 prize while gaining visibility on an international stage. Learn more about the winners here. 

1:30 PM: Ecosystem Remarks

British Columbia offers a distinctive advantage in life sciences, shaped by a connected ecosystem, strong research institutions, and a deep talent pipeline. As the sector continues to evolve, strategic infrastructure investments and cross-sector collaboration are accelerating innovation across healthcare, research, and commercialization. This opening session provided high-level ecosystem remarks on the forces shaping the next phase of growth in B.C.’s life sciences sector. It also uncovered what opportunities lie ahead for industry, academia, healthcare, and government.

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2:15 PM: BC Venture Spotlight: Fast Showcase Competition

Twelve rising life sciences companies took the stage for a fast-paced pitch session at the BC Pavilion. Selected as part of Innovate BC’s Venture Spotlight, each company delivered a rapid-fire presentation, followed by live audience voting to select the top pitch. The winning company received a featured opportunity to pitch at Life Sciences BC’s flagship investor conference, Invest in BC, taking place in Vancouver, November 3–4, 2026. Attendees witnessed bold ideas, tight storytelling, and a front-row look at what’s coming next from BC’s life sciences ecosystem.

3:00 PM: BC Digital Health: Capital at Work

British Columbia’s digital health sector has been shaped by sustained investment and companies built to scale. In this session, leading investors shared the history of digital health investment in B.C., highlighting companies from their portfolios and how their track records revealed where capital, opportunity, and growth are heading next.

This networking event focused on strengthening interprovincial trade and collaboration among Canadian companies and innovation partners. Designed to welcome delegates from across Canada, it offered a space to connect, exchange ideas, explore opportunities for collaboration within the national innovation ecosystem, and strengthen domestic supply chains.

10:40 AM: Agritech Investing: Risk, Returns, and Repeatable Growth

Climate volatility, food security risk, and supply chain disruption are accelerating the need for scalable agritech. For investors, this isn’t just impact — it’s a structural growth opportunity. But agritech plays by different rules: long sales cycles, hardware intensity, adoption friction, and capital discipline matter.

This session brought together leading investors to break down how they evaluate agritech — unit economics, capital efficiency, deployment risk, and real ROI. What separates a flashy pilot from a fundable, venture-scale company? Where does smart money lean in — and where does it walk away? Attendees got unfiltered insight into how to position their companies from seed to series, avoid common pitfalls, and build models that scale beyond demos to durable revenue.

For those building — or backing — the future of AI-enabled agriculture, automation, precision farming, or controlled environment systems, this was the conversation that defined what gets funded next.

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Day three of the 2026 competition featured four finalists, each company a promising B.C.-founded venture. These finalists delivered fast-paced pitches to a panel of expert judges, competing for a $10,000 prize while gaining visibility on an international stage. Learn more about the winners here. 

1:30 PM: Leveraging Ocean Intelligence for B.C.-Made Solutions

British Columbia is a powerhouse for ocean technology innovation, with companies developing advanced sensors, uncrewed systems, and AI-driven data tools that deliver real-time intelligence from the sea.  

These innovations are unlocking new commercial opportunities, from optimizing offshore operations and logistics to powering analytics that improve efficiency and competitiveness across marine industries. With applications that extend well beyond traditional research and monitoring, ocean data is becoming an invaluable asset for industries seeking smarter, faster decision-making in dynamic ocean environments.  

This panel explored how B.C. is accelerating the commercialization of ocean intelligence technologies, and how Pacific Canada has become a launch pad for global market growth and a key access point for industry partnerships across the Asia-Pacific region.  

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2:15 PM: Powering Tides: B.C. as a Global Marine Renewable Energy Test Bed

With logistics costs soaring and supply chains under strain, governments and investors are shifting their focus from abstract net‑zero goals to energy systems that are self‑sufficient, low‑maintenance and less vulnerable to disruption.

This panel looked at how British Columbia and Canada are proving grounds for marine renewables and advanced energy systems that harness local resources — tides, waves, wind and hybrid marine power — all to reduce logistical stress in remote and harsh environments.

Speakers explored why B.C. is the perfect place to showcase innovation for energy independence and dual‑use solutions that operate reliably in Arctic and high‑latitude conditions, from coastal communities and ports to commercial fleets and strategic infrastructure.

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3:00 PM: Sea, Security, Scale: How Dual-Use Ocean Tech is Powering the Future 

British Columbia is discovering innovative ways to leverage its expertise in cleantech, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing to develop advanced solutions in security and dual-use ocean technologies.

This panel examined how B.C.’s innovators are creating autonomous systems, underwater sensing, and persistent monitoring platforms that serve both commercial maritime operations and defense needs — enhancing maritime security, search and rescue, and allied surveillance while optimizing shipping, offshore energy, and fisheries.

Panelists also discussed why BC is the best location to develop these technologies, particularly for Arctic sovereignty and protection of marine supply chains to Asia-Pacific markets. They also explored the advantages that exist when scaling local expertise into global impact.

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