Web Summit Vancouver brought the global technology ecosystem to Canada’s doorstep this week, transforming the city into a hub of conversations around AI, commercialization, digital infrastructure, investment, and the future of innovation. For DIGITAL, the week was more than a moment to participate, it was an opportunity to convene, connect, and help shape the conversations that will define how Canadian innovation moves from ambition to real-world adoption and economic growth.
Across roundtables, panels, networking events, and the expo floor, one theme emerged consistently: Canada has the talent, ideas, and research leadership to compete globally, but scaling innovation requires stronger collaboration between industry, government, academia, and investors. Throughout the week, DIGITAL helped bring those voices together.
Convening Canada’s AI Ecosystem
The week began with DIGITAL hosting Minister Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, alongside Taleeb Noormohamed, Parliamentary Secretary for AI and Digital Innovation, for a roundtable with Canadian AI and business leaders. The discussion focused on the barriers slowing real-world AI deployment, from procurement pathways and commercialization challenges to infrastructure and talent development.
What made the conversation especially impactful was the diversity of perspectives around the table. Leaders from mining, healthcare, industrial AI, technology, and investment sectors shared firsthand insights into what Canadian companies need to scale responsibly and competitively in a rapidly evolving global market. The discussion reflected something DIGITAL sees every day through its ecosystem: Canadian innovators are not short on ideas… they are looking for the right pathways, partnerships, and conditions to scale faster.
The Shift from AI Potential to AI Deployment
The roundtable also reinforced another major theme from the week: the growing importance of sovereign AI infrastructure. During Web Summit, Minister Solomon announced $66 million in funding awarded to the first 44 recipients through the AI Compute Access Fund, launched in 2025. The announcement signaled a major step toward strengthening Canada’s domestic AI capabilities and ensuring innovators have access to the compute power needed to compete globally.
One quote from the week captured the urgency felt across many conversations by Min. Solomon:
“Canada was the birthplace of AI, but we must not think it is Canada’s birthright. We must continue to fight to lead in AI on the global stage.”
That momentum carried into DIGITAL’s broader presence throughout the summit. DIGITAL’s VP of Programs, Nadia Shaikh-Naeem, moderated the panel “Applied AI: Scaling BC’s Intelligence Economy,” exploring how organizations across British Columbia are translating AI ambition into tangible adoption and commercialization. The conversation highlighted that AI leadership is no longer measured by experimentation alone: it is measured by implementation, deployment, and measurable outcomes.
Building Innovation with Commercialization in Mind
At the same time, DIGITAL’s Director of IP and Partnerships, Jen Mielguj, joined discussions on the role of intellectual property in innovation and commercialization. Her insight that “IP is as much a mindset as it is an outcome” resonated in a week dominated by conversations about competitiveness and scaling Canadian companies globally.
Innovation ecosystems are not built solely through funding announcements or technology breakthroughs; they are strengthened through strategic thinking around ownership, commercialization, and long-term competitiveness.
Another defining moment for DIGITAL was hosting the “Building Export Readiness Pathways for Canadian Innovators” roundtable in partnership with Export Development Canada. Bringing together leaders from across Canada’s innovation ecosystem, the discussion focused on the realities of scaling Canadian innovation internationally — from export readiness and procurement challenges to global perceptions of Canadian technology.
A recurring sentiment throughout the conversation was that Canadian innovators are respected globally for their technical excellence and trusted approaches to innovation, particularly in AI and emerging technologies. The challenge now is ensuring companies have the support, visibility, and pathways needed to compete internationally at scale.
Strengthening Global Partnerships
DIGITAL’s participation in the “EU-Canada: From CETA to the Digital Partnership” networking reception brought an international perspective to Web Summit. As conversations around digital trade and trusted partnerships continue to grow in importance, the event highlighted how transatlantic collaboration is creating new opportunities for Canadian companies looking to expand globally.
One message stood out clearly throughout the discussion: “We can build champions together.”
Connectivity across innovation ecosystems is no longer a nice-to-have, it is essential. Events like these reinforced the importance of trusted bilateral partnerships in helping Canadian innovators access new markets, attract investment, and strengthen global competitiveness.
A Week Defined by Collaboration
By the end of the week, one thing was evident across every room, panel, and conversation: Canada’s innovation ecosystem is entering a new phase. The focus is shifting from potential to execution, from isolated innovation to ecosystem-wide collaboration, and from local success stories to global competitiveness.
At Web Summit Vancouver, DIGITAL was proud to lead and convene conversations, bring together technology builders and buyers to accelerate the adoption and commercialization of Canadian technology solutions and build a stronger, more connected Canadian innovation economy. That’s how we grow Canada.
And if this week was any indication, the momentum is only growing.
