Questions? Reach out to shinjini@vantechjournal.com
#VTJTalks: How AI Is Reshaping Startup Funding
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#VTJTalks: How AI is Reshaping Startup Funding in partnership with Entax
From how founders raise to how the government decides who gets funded, AI is reshaping the mechanics of startup capital in real time. Some of it is exciting. Some of it is murky. And a lot of it is happening faster than the rules can keep up.
Vancouver Tech Journal with Entax is bringing together founders, funders, and the people who actually move capital in this ecosystem to unpack what's changing - and what it means for BC startups trying to fund their next stage of growth.
Topics We'll Cover
The Grant Grey Zone — SR&ED credits were built to reward human R&D. So what happens when AI writes the code? Where founders can legitimately claim, where they're overreaching, and how the rules are scrambling to catch up.
Raising in the AI Era — Founders now have AI in every corner of the raise — decks, models, outreach. Does it build stronger companies, or just a flood of polished sameness VCs tune out?
When the VC Is a Model — Investors are using AI to source, screen, and score deals before a founder gets a meeting. Does that broaden access, or just automate old biases?
Audited by Algorithm — The CRA is deploying AI to review claims and flag audits. What trips the system, what to document, and how to stay onside when the reviewer isn't human.
SPEAKERS
Glen Simkus, Managing Director and CEO, Entax
Melaniaa Volkodav, Investor, Panache Ventures
Jaron Sander, Founder, Inform Growth
Moderator: William Johnson, VP Strategy, Overstory Media Group
Meet our Presenting Partner: ENTAX
ENTAX is one of Canada's leading SR&ED tax credit specialists. Since 2014, the Burnaby-based firm has helped 300+ Canadian companies, from five-person startups to Boeing, recover over $150 million in non-dilutive R&D tax credits. Rather than automated, questionnaire-driven tools, ENTAX sends senior consultants with engineering backgrounds to build claims that stand up to CRA scrutiny and defend them through audit, with most clients paying nothing until their refund lands. In an era where AI is blurring the line on what qualifies, that human accountability is exactly what founders need in their corner.
Thank you to our core partners!
A huge thank you to all of our sponsors — who continuously support our events. Your contributions are pivotal in helping us drive impact in Vancouver’s tech ecosystem and bring together the community.
Interested in partnering with us? Contact us: shinjini@vantechjournal.com
Questions? Reach out to shinjini@vantechjournal.com