​#VTJ Insider Perk - This event is free for #VTJ Insiders. Simply log into your account at vantechjournal.com and head to the Discounts page to access your registration code.

​Venture capital is evolving—and founders need to understand what’s actually changing behind the scenes.

​Join us for an intimate fireside chat with Boris Wertz, Managing Partner at Version One Ventures, as he sits down with William Johnson to unpack the future of venture capital, early-stage investing, and what today’s founders should be paying attention to as they build and scale.

​This candid conversation will explore:

• ​How the VC landscape is shifting in 2026 and beyond

• ​What investors are really looking for at the pre-seed and seed stage

• ​How AI, capital efficiency, and market dynamics are reshaping startup outcomes

• ​The role of conviction, founder-market fit, and long-term thinking in an uncertain funding environment

• ​Lessons from backing some of Canada’s most iconic tech companies

​Whether you’re a founder raising capital, an operator thinking about growth, or simply curious about where venture investing is headed, this session offers a rare, thoughtful look into how top investors are navigating what’s next.

​About Boris Wertz

​Boris Wertz is the Managing Partner at Version One Ventures, one of Canada’s most respected early-stage venture firms. Over the past decade, he has backed category-defining companies including Coinbase, Jobber, Clio, Ada, Outreach, and other globally recognized startups, earning a reputation for founder-first investing and long-term conviction.

​Overview:

​Date: February 10, 2026

​Time: 5-7pm

​Location: Fasken - 550 Burrard St Suite 2900, Vancouver, BC V6C 0B3

​Questions? Reach out to [email protected]

​​​Thank you to our partner at Fasken for hosting us!

​Fasken Emerging Tech

​​As a premier law firm with over 950 lawyers worldwide, Fasken is where excellence meets expertise.  They are dedicated to shaping the future their clients want, precisely when it matters most. For more information, visit fasken.com.