Vancouver Startup Week pushes innovation despite investment lag
Vancouver slipping in global startup rankings due to lack of investment
Sessions at Vancouver Startup Week can't be described as dull with names like:
- Zero to 100: Accelerate your Tech Business
- Unicorn or Bust: Trends in Angel Investing
- Embracing Chaos: Stories from Founder of the Frontline,
More than 3,000 people are in Vancouver for the conference, which ends this weekend. Speakers include those from long established companies like PricewaterhouseCoopers to headline-makers Uber and social media newbies Latergramme.me.
The goal is to empower new companies in technology and innovation in the city but also to have a little fun.
It's a nerf gun party at <a href="https://twitter.com/SegevLaw">@SegevLaw</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VSW2015?src=hash">#VSW2015</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VSWOpenHouse?src=hash">#VSWOpenHouse</a> <a href="http://t.co/J4SngTUndx">pic.twitter.com/J4SngTUndx</a>
—@vanstartupweekNerf-gun fights and beer pong may be necessary to help soften the sobering thought that Vancouver's tech startup sector is facing tough times.
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Mike Tippett, an industry veteran and founder of businesses like NowPublic and GrowLab, has said there is no shortage of money in Vancouver but much of it ends up in real estate as opposed to the tech sector.
The City of Vancouver has been trying to promote itself as the next tech capital. Vision Vancouver's economic plan includes courting tech companies to set up shop.
So far the tactic has attracted giants like Twitter, Facebook, and Amazon.
Vancouver's very own Hootsuite has become a major player in the tech world, creating hundreds of jobs.
Despite those efforts, the 2015 Global Startup Ecosystem Ranking has placed Vancouver 18th in the world for startups, a drop from ninth in 2012.
It said funding is the city's biggest issue, leading to slow growth in the sector.
Some simply describe investors in Vancouver as risk-averse compared to Silicon Valley or New York but there is hope that will change as investors see more value in startups.
In the meantime, there is always Vancouver's growing craft beer industry, which appears to be playing a significant role at Vancouver Startup Week.
Join <a href="https://twitter.com/buddybuild">@buddybuild</a> at their <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VSWOpenHouse?src=hash">#VSWOpenHouse</a> and see if you can guess the beer <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VSW2015?src=hash">#VSW2015</a> (415 West Cordova) <a href="http://t.co/CTeed8Q1sN">pic.twitter.com/CTeed8Q1sN</a>
—@vanstartupweekWith files from Bal Brach