Collision 2023

Recorded on June 29, 2023

The finalists of the greatest startup competition in the world take to Centre Stage to battle it out for the title of 2023 PITCH champion.

MEET OUR JUDGES

• Wesley Chan from FPV Ventures
• Mary D’Onofrio from Bessemer Venture Partners
• John Ruffolo from Maverix Private Equity

SPEAKERS

Wesley Chan

Co-founder & Managing Partner
FPV Ventures

 

Mary D’Onofrio

Partner
Bessemer Venture Partners

 

John Ruffolo

Founder & Managing Partner
Maverix Private Equity

 

Casey Lau

Co-Host
Web Summit

 

Stephanie Curcio

Co-Founder & CEO
NLPatent

 

Ron Glozman

CEO
Fractionum

 

Azrah Manji-Savin

CEO & Co-Founder
Syzl

Recorded on June 29, 2023

AI is going to be the most transformational tool of our lifetimes. What are the risks and the opportunities? Inflection co-founder and CEO – and DeepMind co-founder – Mustafa Suleyman asks if humanity is prepared, and explains why millions of us might soon have a personal AI.

SPEAKERS

Mustafa Suleyman

Co-founder & CEO
Inflection AI

 

Gideon Lichfield

Global Editorial Director
Wired

Recorded on June 29, 2023

The winner of the greatest startup competition in the world takes to Centre Stage to be crowned 2023 PITCH champion.

SPEAKERS

Casey Lau

Co-Host
Web Summit

 

Mary D’Onofrio

Partner
Bessemer Venture Partners

 

John Ruffolo

Founder & Managing Partner
Maverix Private Equity

Recorded on June 29, 2023

TikTok content has started to dominate across social media platforms. But how can you engage viewers in less than a minute? Join TikTok sensation Michael Le to discover how to grab a TikTok audience and what makes a video pop on the platform.

SPEAKERS

Michael Le

Creator, Youtuber, Tiktoker, Co-founder
Joystick

 

Subrata De

Global Head of News, Progamming and Development
VICE

Recorded on June 29, 2023

Natural language sits at the heart of human intelligence. It is the unique skill that unambiguously separates us from other species and provides a window into how our minds process the world. As we continue to equip machines with the ability to understand and respond to language, people are beginning to realize the full potential of this technology. In this session, Cohere founder and CEO Aidan Gomez joins author and political commentator Stephen Marche to discuss the importance of the next 18 months for AI, and to explore how the technology will propel an intellectual workforce revolution – similar to how the steam engine propelled an industrial revolution more than 100 years ago.

SPEAKERS

Aidan Gomez

Co-founder & CEO
Cohere

 

Stephen Marche

Author & Political Commentator

Recorded on June 29, 2023

Was 2022 a hiccup or a turning point for the world of Web3? In this session, discover how far away a user-owned economy is, find out what has been holding back mass adoption, and explore where crypto goes in a post-FTX era.

SPEAKERS

Yat Siu

Co-founder & Executive Chairman
Animoca Brands

 

Bryan Pellegrino

Co-founder & CEO
LayerZero Labs

 

Li Jin

Co-founder & General Partner
Variant

 

Akash Pasricha

Reporter
The Information

Recorded on June 29, 2023

Get ready for an eye-opening exploration of the trials, triumphs, and time-intensive nature of hardware development. From mind-bending circuits to supply chain showdowns, this session uncovers it all, leaving you with a newfound appreciation for the extraordinary effort behind every tech revolution.

SPEAKERS

Blake Resnick

Founder & CEO
Brinc Drones

 

Tessa Lau

Founder & CEO
Dusty Robotics

 

Jordan Fisher

Co-founder & CEO
Standard AI

 

Harry McCracken

Global Technology Editor
Fast Company

Recorded on June 29, 2023

From the boardroom to the family dinner table, AI is dominating conversations far and wide. As companies incorporate AI into their products, how can they ensure they do so responsibly? As the co-founder of Grammarly – a company whose core product has been powered by artificial intelligence for more than a decade – Max Lytvyn understands the importance of applying such technology. In this session, find out what it takes to build a long-lasting AI SaaS company without ethical compromises.

SPEAKER

Max Lytvyn

Co-founder
Grammarly

Recorded on June 29, 2023

What is Canada’s place in the worldwide tech ecosystem? Join three integral members of the tech community in Canada to find out.

SPEAKERS

Douglas Soltys

Editor-in-Chief
BetaKit

 

William Johnson

Senior writer
Canadian Tech Journal

 

Melissa Allen

Executive Director
League of Innovators

 

Sunil Sharma

Managing Director
Techstars Toronto

Recorded on June 29, 2023

When global funds freeze, unicorns drop in valuation and startups scramble to navigate through the downturn. How have priorities shifted for founders and investors? What will become the new metrics for a successful tech story? Join this session to find out.

SPEAKERS

Christina Cacioppo

Co-founder & CEO
Vanta

 

Jai Das

Co-founder, President & Partner
Sapphire Ventures

 

Frederic Lardinois

Editor
TC

Recorded on June 29, 2023

Meet the pitch doctors! In preparation for the PITCH final, learn some of the dos and don’ts of pitching from founders who have raised US$130 million between them this year and an investor whose job it is to assess a startup based on their pitch. What hot tips can these experts pass on? Let’s hope the finalists backstage are paying attention.

SPEAKERS

Philip Kelvin

Co-founder & CEO
Tranch

 

Kimberlie Le

Co-founder & CEO
Prime Roots

 

Wendy Xiao Schadeck

Partner
Northzone

 

Brett Chang

CEO
The Peak

Recorded on June 29, 2023

One of the most vibrant and quickly expanding economic sectors right now is healthtech. Join this session to find out where the majority of financing pouring into the sector is likely to go.

SPEAKERS

Michelle Longmire

Co-founder & CEO
Medable

 

Cathy Gao

Partner
Sapphire Ventures

 

Anjalee Khemlani

Senior Reporter
Yahoo Finance

Recorded on June 29, 2023

ClassDojo and Superhuman are no flash-in-the-pan companies. Their CEOs, Sam Chaudhary and Rahul Vohra, have gone against the grain of ‘move fast and break things’, in favor of deliberate, compounding growth that has resulted in two of the largest, most passionate user communities on the planet. In this session, learn how they’ve applied long-term strategic thinking to everything from finding investors and top talent, to product strategy and brand-building.

SPEAKERS

Sam Chaudhary

Co-founder & CEO
ClassDojo

 

Rahul Vohra

Founder & CEO
Superhuman

Recorded on June 29, 2023

One of the biggest stories in tech this year was the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, with much debate over the root causes. But the important questions remain – what will be the long-term ripple effects of the collapse, and how can it be ensured that something like this never happens again?

SPEAKERS

Wesley Chan

Co-founder & Managing Partner
FPV Ventures

 

Nigel Morris

Co-founder & Managing Partner
QED Investors

 

Nisha Patel

Senior Business Reporter
CBC

Recorded on June 29, 2023

As changing consumer needs and economic pressures have led retailers to rethink their supply chain models, Shein’s agile approach offers a unique solution to the problem of ever-changing production demands. How did the global fashion and lifestyle brand build a future-proof supply chain to meet the demands of tomorrow’s customers? Join this session to find out.

SPEAKERS

Peter Pernot-Day

Global Head of Strategy & Corporate Affairs
Shein

Recorded June 29, 2023

2023 has brought many curveballs – including mass layoffs, an economic downturn and the explosion of generative AI – to the tech industry. Join Siemens’ Peter Koerte, Nylas’ Christine Spang and OutSystems’ Patrick Jean as they discuss how they lead their technical teams in such a pivotal time in tech.

SPEAKERS

Peter Koerte

Chief Technology & Strategy Officer
Siemens

 

Christine Spang

Co-founder & CTO
Nylas

 

Patrick Jean

CTO
OutSystems

 

Pandora Dewan

Science Reporter
Newsweek

Recorded on June 28, 2023

SPEAKERS

Sarah Wayne Callies

Actor, Director & IRC Ambassador
International Rescue Committee

 

Tony Conrad

Partner
True Ventures

 

Zachary Karabell

Founder
The Progress Network

Recorded on June 28, 2023

It’s time for a marketing masterclass. Join this session as industry experts discuss the trends of tomorrow.

SPEAKERS

Sairah Ashman

CEO
Wolff Olins

 

Josh Richards

Founder & Chairman
CrossCheck Studios

 

Jonathan Yaffe

Co-founder & CEO
AnyRoad

 

JD Durkin

Anchor
TheStreet

Recorded on June 28, 2023

Our planet’s future depends on solutions from every industry around the world. In this session, innovators that are leading the way in food and energy – Perfect Day and Pristine Sun – discuss how they view humankind’s shared path forward, and explore how rising to the challenge is bringing companies together across industries and geographies.

SPEAKERS

Ryan Pandya

Co-founder & CEO
Perfect Day

 

Troy Helming

Founder & Chair
Pristine Sun

 

Daisy Dunne

Special Correspondent
Carbon Brief

Recorded on June 28, 2023

Shopify COO Kaz Nejatian explores the latest technologies – including AI, mobile and community commerce – enabling brands to connect with customers in authentic ways, even while competing in a crowded retail market that has ever-changing consumer demands.

SPEAKERS

Kaz Nejatian

COO & VP of Product
Shopify

 

Kia Kokalitcheva

Technology & VC Reporter
Axios

Recorded on June 28, 2023

Airbnb is built on trust. On a given night, a population nearly the size of Toronto stays in people’s homes around the world via the platform. In this session, Airbnb’s trust and safety leaders talk about the ongoing work to help ensure guests sleep well with Airbnb.

SPEAKERS

Tara Bunch

Global Head of Operations
Airbnb

 

Naba Banerjee

Director of Trust & Safety
Airbnb

 

Amy Bernstein

Editor
Harvard Business Review

Recorded on June 28, 2023

Finding a co-founder for your startup is one of the most critical business decisions you’ll ever make. The co-founder dynamic can make or break a startup, and a solid founder is the first thing that early-stage investors look for. So what makes a good founder? Join this session to find out.

SPEAKERS

Tanis Jorge

Founder
The Cofounder’s Hub

 

Edith Yeung

General Partner
Race Capital

 

Meti Basiri

Co-founder & CEO
ApplyBoard

 

Guilherme Ravache

Media Columinst
Valor Econômico

Recorded on June 28, 2023

Speed has always been a top priority for businesses in today’s fast-paced market. With the increasing prevalence of AI and automation, the ability to exert control over your brand and processes has become more important than ever. In this session, Jasper AI co-founder and CEO Dave Rogenmoser – in conversation with Wired global editorial director Gideon Lichfield – explores how AI is changing the fundamentals of marketing strategy, and dives into why businesses need to prioritize control alongside speed in order to thrive in an AI-enabled world. Join Dave and Gideon to get actionable insights on how to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving landscape of AI-driven marketing.

SPEAKERS

Dave Rogenmoser

Co-founder & CEO
Jasper

Gideon Lichfield

Global Editorial Director
Wired

Recorded on June 28, 2023

The market across US tech sectors is becoming increasingly volatile. What would the country’s neighbour to the north do differently? Join this session to explore the next chapter of Canadian tech.

SPEAKERS

François-Philippe Champagne

Minister of Innovation, Science & Industry
Government of Canada

Jeff Shiner

CEO
1Password

Michelle Zatlyn

Co-founder, President & COO
Cloudflare

Jon Erlichman

Anchor
BNN Bloomberg

Recorded on June 27, 2023

What’s the next killer app? How will AI change our connected future? When – and in what key industries – will 5G and augmented reality’s promise show? Are there cybersecurity dangers the more software-defined our automobiles become? AT&T CTO Jeremy Legg and technology influencer Marques Brownlee answer these questions and more.

SPEAKERS

Marques Brownlee

YouTuber & Podcaster

 

Jeremy Legg

CTO
AT&T

 

Martine Paris

Tech Contributor
Forbes

Recorded on June 27, 2023

SPEAKERS

Marija Radulovic-Nastic

CTO
Electronic Arts

Harry McCracken

Global Technology Editor
Fast Company

Recorded on June 27, 2023

Xanadu is on a mission to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere. If the Canadian company is successful in this mission, what might it mean for day-to-day life? Founder and CEO Christian Weedbrook explores.

SPEAKERS

Christian Weedbrook

Founder & CEO
Xanadu

Callum Williams

Senior Economics Writer
The Economist

Recorded on June 28, 2023

AI has already transformed many aspects of how we live our lives. In the coming years, it has the potential to drive one of the greatest social, economic and scientific transformations in history. Join Google DeepMind chief business officer Colin Murdoch to discover how the AI research lab is progressing towards a world in which artificial intelligence tech helps solve the biggest challenges facing humanity.

SPEAKERS

Colin Murdoch

Chief Business Officer
Google DeepMind

Recorded on June 27, 2023

In this panel session, 1Password CEO Jeff Shiner and GeoComply co-founder and CEO Anna Sainsbury explore the intersection of cybersecurity and fraud prevention, discussing whether creating a robust defence against modern threats is possible.

SPEAKERS

Anna Sainsbury

Co-founder & CEO
GeoComply

Jeff Shiner

CEO
1Password

Sam Sabin

Cybersecurity Reporter
Axios

Recorded on June 27, 2023

Friend or foe? With generative AI offering more possibilities for work automation, data personalization, software integrations and more, how will it work hand in hand with SaaS aficionados? Join Glean CEO Arvind Jain and Ada co-founder and CEO Mike Murchison to find out.

SPEAKERS

Mike Murchison

Co-founder & CEO
Ada

Arvind Jain

CEO
Glean

Leo Schwartz

Reporter
Fortune

Recorded on June 27, 2023

Humankind is just now discovering the full possibilities of generative AI’s impact on industry, society and the global economy. In this session, GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke unveils first-of-its-kind research – co-authored with Harvard professor Marco Iansiti – that explores the economic impact of generative AI and the benefits of AI-powered developer tools.

SPEAKERS

Thomas Dohmke

CEO
GitHub

Recorded on June 27, 2023

Borders shouldn’t be barriers to accessing the best talent available. And yet, historically, startups and growing businesses have been boxed in by geographical limits in hiring. This session showcases a new service that will help growing companies of every size hire the best employees, globally.

SPEAKERS

Josh Reeves

Co-founder & CEO
Gusto

Lauren Kolodny

Co-founder & Managing Partner
Acrew Capital

Traci Mabrey

General Manager
Factiva at Dow Jones

Recorded on June 28, 2023

Join Unity CMO Carol Carpenter for an explainer on the unique opportunities and challenges of marketing in the metaverse, and an exploration of strategies for creating immersive and engaging experiences that drive results in this emerging landscape.

SPEAKERS

Carol Carpenter

CMO
Unity

JD Durkin

Anchor
TheStreet

Recorded on June 28, 2023

To automate a task reliably, it’s necessary to understand the solution first… or is it? Does AI free us to create groundbreaking solutions or are such notions mere hype? What does it mean to automate beyond human expression? What are the opportunities and dangers involved? Which jobs is AI designed to automate, and will those careers disappear? How does data fit into the story, and where does AI bias come from? In this session, Google chief decision scientist Cassie Kozyrkov talks about how to navigate new technological frontiers in order to approach AI safely and responsibly for a brighter future.

SPEAKERS

Cassie Kozyrkov

Chief Decision Scientist
Google

Recorded on June 28, 2023

Our group round winners take to Centre Stage for the semi-final of PITCH.

Each of the 10 semi-finalists will have three minutes to pitch their businesses. Our judges will then deliberate and choose three finalists to battle it out in the PITCH final.

Meet our judges:

– David Meltzer from David Meltzer Enterprises

– Dan Grimm from AT&T

– Geena Jackson from Bears’ Lair

– Jai Das from Sapphire Ventures

– Kassandra Linklater from Frontier Collective

– Matt Biilmann from Netlify

– Peter Pernot-Day from Shein

– Shalini Rao from TCV

– Silvina Moschini from Unicoin

SPEAKERS

David Meltzer

Founder & CEO
David Meltzer Enterprises

 

Dan Grimm

Head of New Product Development
AT&T

 

Geena Jackson

Executive Producer, Creator & Core Judge
Bears’ Lair

 

Peter Pernot-Day

Global Head of Strategy & Corporate Affairs
Shein

 

Jai Das

Co-founder, President & Partner
Sapphire Ventures

 

Kassandra Linklater

Co-founder & COO
Frontier Collective

 

Matt Biilmann

Co-founder & CEO
Netlify

 

Silvina Moschini

Founder, Chairwoman & President
Unicoin

 

Shalini Rao

Partner
TCV

 

Azrah Manji-Savin

CEO & Co-Founder
Syzl

 

Kulwant Singh Yadav

CEO
Cuckoo Financial

 

Amy Lorincz

CEO
Vope Medical

 

Sherry Shannon-Vanstone

President & CEO, Founder
Profound Impact

 

Ron Glozman

CEO
Fractionum

 

Stephanie Curcio

Co-Founder & CEO
NLPatent

 

Vera Belazelkoska

Director of Programs
Ulula

 

Dr. Karolina Valente

CEO & CSO
VoxCell BioInnovation Inc.

 

Winston Morton

CEO
Climative

 

Chloë Ryan

CEO & Founder
Acrylic Robotics

Recorded on June 28, 2023

Cognitive psychologist and computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton – the ‘godfather of AI’ – started researching AI more than 40 years ago, when it seemed more like science fiction than reality. Join Geoffrey, in conversation with the Atlantic CEO Nick Thompson, for an exploration of the future of AI and a deep dive into its potential impact on society.

SPEAKERS

Geoffrey Hinton

Godfather of AI
University of Toronto

 

Nick Thompson

CEO
The Atlantic

Recorded on June 28, 2023

While many VCs are still adjusting to a new world after an unprecedented bull market, the opportunities presented by AI are creating huge excitement in the industry. So for leading investors, what areas are they most excited about this year? Join this session to find out more.

SPEAKERS

Arjun Sethi

Co-founder & General Partner
Tribe Capital

 

Mary D’Onofrio

Partner
Bessemer Venture Partners

 

Callum Williams

Senior Economics Writer
The Economist

Recorded on June 28, 2023

The gaming industry is worth more than TV and film combined, and the potential for innovation has never been higher. In this session, Twitch chief product officer Tom Verrilli and Roblox chief scientist Morgan McGuire assess the latest and greatest in gaming, from player engagement, to AI and the shift from anointed AAA publisher projects to more user generated content.

SPEAKERS

Tom Verrilli

Chief Product Officer
Twitch

 

Morgan McGuire

Chief Scientist
Roblox

 

Harry McCracken

Global Technology Editor
Fast Company

Recorded on June 28, 2023

When women leaders are leaving the workforce faster than ever, it’s especially critical for businesses to recognize and reward talent in a meaningful way, such as through increased pay and steps toward promotion. In this session, Chief co-founder Lindsay Kaplan shares why women leaders need more support navigating economic volatility and why diverse companies do better financially.

SPEAKERS

Lindsay Kaplan

Co-founder & Chief Brand Officer
Chief

 

Alisa Cohn

Contributor
Forbes

Recorded on June 27, 2023

We’ve never had more options for how to represent ourselves online, but what is an avatar, really? What are they good for? Why are they suddenly everywhere? Can they be used to enhance our lives, or are they just another step towards the end of humanity as we know it? Inspired by the unique experiences of creating Bitmoji – one of the world’s most beloved avatars – Ba’s avatar theory explores the untapped potential of the increasingly ubiquitous trend.

SPEAKER

Ba Blackstock

Co-founder
Bitmoji

Recorded on June 27, 2023

The first half of 2023 has presented a challenging landscape, marked by an economic downturn, the SVB explosion and the onset of the VC winter. However, within this landscape, hope remains as opportunities emerge. Join Stash Financial CEO Liza Landsman and Alloy co-founder Laura Spiekerman as they come together to inspire optimism about the future of fintech.

SPEAKERS

Liza Landsman

CEO
Stash

Laura Spiekerman

Co-founder & President
Alloy

Felice Maranz

Editor of Markets Live
Bloomberg

Recorded on June 27, 2023

In this session, Autumn Peltier explores fighting for Indigenous rights, the importance of raising awareness and fostering collaboration, and the vital role that traditional knowledge and wisdom can play in creating a sustainable future.

SPEAKER

Autumn Peltier

Indigenous Rights & Water Activist

Recorded on June 27, 2023

With wildfires breaking out across Canada, it’s time to re-evaluate how we deal with the restoration of forest ecosystems. Join World Wildlife Fund Canada’s (WWF-Canada) Megan Leslie to learn how technology can help build resilience in the face of climate change.

SPEAKERS

Megan Leslie

President & CEO
World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF-Canada)

Recorded on June 27, 2023

In 2022, Twitter as we knew it disappeared. As the social media platform flounders under Elon Musk’s leadership, new alternatives are popping up every other day. One such platform is T2, an aptly named platform founded by a Twitter and Google veteran, Gabor Cselle. Join this session to find out if T2 really will be Twitter 2.0, and to get a chance to secure exclusive access to the platform.

SPEAKERS

Gabor Cselle

Co-founder & CEO
T2

Steven Levy

Editor-at-large
Wired

Recorded on June 27, 2023

As organizations grow, they also tend to slow. So how do you buck the trend and maintain or increase product velocity as you get bigger? Stripe CTO David Singleton shares four tips for shipping fast at scale, from practical adoption of AI to building on sensible architecture.

SPEAKERS

David Singleton

CTO
Stripe

Recorded on June 27, 2023

The advent of technologies such as ChatGPT has ushered in a wave of excitement about the possibilities of generative AI. Amid all the hype, where will the real value creation come from? And can startups really compete against tech giants and their vast resources?

SPEAKERS

Sarah Guo

Founder
Conviction

Elad Gil

Investor

Michael Isikoff

Chief Investigative Correspondent
Yahoo News

Recorded on June 27, 2023

Amazon Web Services CEO Adam Selipsky and Wired editor-at-large Steven Levy sit down for a thought-provoking conversation about technology, transformation and the future.

SPEAKERS

Adam Selipsky

CEO
Amazon Web Services

Steven Levy

Editor-at-large
Wired

Recorded on June 27, 2023

SPEAKERS

Sunil Sharma

Managing Director
Techstars Toronto

Recorded on June 27, 2023

Official opening of Collision 2023.

SPEAKERS

 

Jennifer McKelvie

Deputy Mayor
City of Toronto

 

Paddy Cosgrave

CEO & Founder
Web Summit

 

Sean Fraser

Minister of Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship
Government of Canada

Recorded on June 27, 2023

Legendary investor Hans Tung explores the current VC market, and examines the generational impact that AI could have across the startup landscape.

SPEAKERS

Hans Tung

Managing Partner
GGV Capital

Katie Roof

Reporter
Bloomberg