Is Vancouver Built for Big Exits?
Is Metro Vancouver Built For Big Exits?
With fewer local examples of billion-dollar businesses and a service ecosystem still catching up to late-stage company needs, many founders in Metro Vancouver face a growth ceiling. Add to that the constraints of population size, limited venture capital, trade challenges, and foreign acquisition trends—it's time to have an honest conversation about what’s working, what’s missing, and how we can build a stronger foundation for future success.
Event MC
William Johnson, Vancouver Tech Journal / Overstory Media
Fireside Chat – “Scaling to Exit: What Big Exits Mean for Founders and for the Region”
An intimate conversation on the ripple effects of exits—where does the value go when companies are acquired, and what can we do to ensure those gains benefit BC's broader economy and startup community?
Catherine Dahl, Co-founder and CEO of Beanworks Solutions Inc., grew the company into a multi-million dollar global platform. Beanworks was acquired by Quadient in the year 2021, one of Vancouver’s largest tech exits. She is currently an advisor and investor in tech startups.
Moderator: Jacquie Griffiths, President, Invest Vancouver
Panel – “What’s Missing in our Scale-to-Exit Pipeline?”
A candid discussion across sectors about the structural barriers to scale and how we can build a more robust ecosystem that supports late-stage growth. Speakers include:
Maria Pacella, Managing Partner of Pender Ventures
Brianna Blaney, CEO & Co-Founder of Pocketed, a Deloitte business
Michael Stephens, Partner at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Camellia Ho, Partner at Smythe LLP
Moderator: Michelle Sklar, Head of Marketing & Communications at Innovation UBC and VEF Board Chair.
Join us for a thought-provoking evening where tech founders, policymakers, investors, and ecosystem leaders unpack the scale-to-exit gap—and how we might close it by looking inward and leveraging our regional strengths.
Event Details
Date: Monday, October 27, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: UBC Robson Square
We are currently searching for:
Lightning Presenters - startup founders who want to present their 90-second pitch to a friendly audience of entrepreneurs, investors, academics, and government as well as potential future customers. Apply now.
Agenda:
5:00–6:00 PM – Networking
6:00–6:15 PM – Welcome and Lightning Pitches
6:15–6:45 PM – Panel: “What’s Missing in our Scale-to-Exit Pipeline”
6:45–7:15 PM – Fireside Chat": “Scaling to Exit: What Big Exits Mean for Founders and for the Region”
7:15–7:30 PM – Closing Remarks
7:30–8:00 PM – Closing Networking
VEF Members: FREE (Become a Member)