HARDTECH 2022 HOST

ERIN BURY, CEO, WILLFUL

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CANADA'S PREMIER HARDWARE CONFERENCE

November 9, 2022 - In-Person & Virtual

Special Rate for Eligible Entrepreneurs & Women in Tech

Register Now
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What is HardTech?

HardTech is Canada’s premier hardware technology-focused conference, featuring prominent thought leaders that are putting Canada on the map for hardware and semiconductor innovation, producing transformative experiences, creating groundbreaking products with a global impact, and inspiring the next generation of tech titans.

In its 2nd year, HardTech has grown to reach a global audience that discusses ideas, opportunities, and challenges surrounding hardware and semiconductors. Attendees include new and established tech Founders and CEOs, investors and advisors, enterprise, government and media.

Hosted by ventureLAB, our mission is to emphasize the importance of hardware technology and the impact it has around the world.

HardTech takes place on November 9, 2022 as a hybrid conference: join us in-person at ventureLAB or virtually from anywhere in the world.

Why Attend HardTech?

Whether you are an entrepreneur, service provider, or investor, you can't afford to miss HardTech. Interested in a higher profile at HardTech? Contact hwong@venturelab.ca and ask about partnership opportunities.

Premium Content

HardTech brings together industry leaders in hardware technology to discuss the latest developments in the field and share their insights.

Build Connections

Connect with 500+ attendees across Canada in various ways; participate in matchmaking, learn from experts, or socialize and network over coffee and drinks.

Expand Knowledge

Learn about challenges from established Founders and discover the kinds of support is available from advisors and enterprises.

Discover New Companies

Eight Canadian companies developing hardware and semiconductor-focused products will pitch for a cash prize.

Speakers

Erin Bury

CEO

Willful

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Phil Vokins

Director Channels, Alliances & Cloud

Intel

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Gordon Chiu

Sr. Director, Software Engineering

Intel

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Nizar Rida

Canada Country Manager

Marvell

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Colin Hung

Editor

Healthcare IT Today

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Anita Balakrishnan

Reporter

The Logic

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Alison Drader

Head of Corporate Canada

Google Cloud

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Chris Smith

Corporate VP, Platform Software

AMD

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Kirk Ouellette

VP of Corporate Strategy

STMicroelectronics

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Warren Ali

Senior Vice President of Innovation

Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association

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Niraj Mathur

CEO

Blumind

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Peter Suma

Co-CEO

Applied Brain Research

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David van Slingerland

CEO

Sterling Industries

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Matthew Burns

Global Director, Technical Marketing

Samtec

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Robin Orford

Lead, Venture Capital Partnerships

Google

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Shelley Kuipers

Co-Founder and Co-CEO

The51

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Gem Shoute

CEO

Zinite

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Brent Roberts

VP of Life Sciences Strategy

Siemens Digital Industries

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Sagar Satish

Director of Engineering

Astera Labs Canada

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Erik Saarenvirta

Data & AI Specialist

Google Cloud

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Yuri Navarro

Managing Partner

Kanata Ventures

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Chris Cory

Sr Advisor, Capital Investment Program

ventureLAB

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Melissa Chee

CEO

ventureLAB

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Dr. Karolina Papera Valente

CEO & CSO

VoxCell BioInnovation

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Alexandra Kutilin

Director of Operations

Daanaa

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Bolis Ibrahim

CEO

Argentum Electronics

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Huayi (Edward) Gao

Co-founder and CTO

VCycene

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Amirreza Amighi

CEO

Mazlite

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Ashkan Beigi

CEO

Qoherent

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Kazem Zandi

CEO

One Silicon Chip Photonics

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Nic Boileau

CEO

Ekidna

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Julia Elvidge

Co-Founder

Chipworks

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Gregory Ogorek

Partner

iGan Partners

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Mustafa Jaffer

Industrial Technology Advisor

National Research Council of Canada

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Steve Hikida

VP of Compiler Engineering

Intel

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John George

Sector Manager, Automotive & Mobility

Ontario Centre of Innovation

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Colin Webster

Co-Founder

RiSC Capital

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Reece Hiland

Partner, Technology & Media

MNP

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Robert Dennison

Director, Growth & Transition Capital

BDC

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Paul Rivett

Advisor

ventureLAB

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Nick Kepler

COO

Silicon Catalyst

View Bio

Event Features

Meeting Exchange

Pre-book one-on-one meetings and make valuable connections in growing and scaling your business. Investors, funders, venture advisors, and corporates interested in participating as hosts please contact hwong@venturelab.ca.

THOUGHTFUL PANEL DISCUSSIONS

HardTech features in-depth and candid conversations with leaders of industry on innovation, the supply chain disruption, chip shortages, automobility, medical technologies, optimizing talent in tech, and more.

Live DemonstrationS

Get a look at Canada’s top companies with hardware and semiconductor-focused products as well as service providers that are potential future partners for your business.

Access to a Broader Audience

HardTech being hybrid means potential connections across the country and around the world.

Networking

Take advantage of a concentrated gathering of Founders and advisors in the hardware and semiconductor space.

PITCH COMPETITION

Eight Canadian Hardware companies compete for 1 of 2 cash prizes totaling $50,000. They are:
1. Argentum Electronics
2. Daanaa
3. Ekidna
4. Mazlite
5. One Silicon Chip Photonics
6. Qoherent
7. VCycene
8. VoxCell BioInnovation

Schedule

Detail

Time

Event

9:00 AM

Registration

9:45 AM

Opening Remarks

Opening remarks by ventureLAB CEO, Melissa Chee.

Speaker:

Melissa Chee

10:00 AM

Keynote by Intel

Opening Keynote by Phil Vokins, Intel's Director of Channels, Alliances & Cloud

10:15 AM

Opening Panel: Innovation in Canada

Innovation in Canada: Dealing with Supply Chain Disruptions and the effects on National Security and Economic Development

Global supply chain disruptions and worldwide chip shortages continue to be an urgent issue. These concerns have only been exacerbated with increase in inflation rates, geopolitical conflicts and dynamics, and COVID-19 cases continuing around the world. Join us in discussing the impacts of supply chain issues and chip shortages on national security, economic recovery, and growth opportunities for Canada.

Moderated by Erin Bury

Featuring:

Niraj Mathur

Gem Shoute

Phil Vokins

11:15 AM

HardTech Pitch Competition: Session #1

Four out of eight Canadian hardware companies will pitch for a chance to win one of two cash prizes totaling $50,000. Hear from our Pitch Judges as they give feedback live.

Featuring:

Judging Panel:

Robert Dennison, BDC

Julia Elvidge, Chipworks

Steve Hikida, Intel

Sagar Satish, Astera Labs

Colin Webster, Risk Capital

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

How Chips Are Driving the Future of MedTech

Healthcare is one of Canada’s hallmark industries and also systematically antiquated. Canadian companies and startups are creating intelligent solutions to propel healthcare into a previously only imagined future, revolutionizing patient care, surgical timelines, and recovery. Join the discussion on how semiconductors, AI, and advanced manufacturing have been driving factors behind these innovations to deliver more intelligent data and decision-making for Canadian healthcare.

1:45 PM

Speed is King: The Future of Tech in Transportation and Mobility

With smart transportation and mobility on the rise, join us as we explore the importance of chips (and high-speed processing) in the automobility sector. We know chips power our vehicles of the future — but they also play a critical role in helping innovators build solutions for vibrant cities, improve traffic flow, increase efficiencies, remove redundancies and fuel emission to benefit the quality of life for citizens.

Moderated by Anita Balakrishnan, The Logic

2:30 PM

Break

2:45 PM

HardTech Pitch Competition: Session #2

The remaining four Canadian hardware companies pitch for a chance to win one of two cash prizes totaling $50,000. Hear from our Pitch Judges as they give feedback live.

3:30 PM

Closing Session: Optimizing Tech Talent

Optimizing Tech Talent in Hardware and Semiconductor Industry

From new sustainable chip innovations and hardware advancements, Canada is home to some of the world’s most cutting-edge hardware and semiconductor innovations. However, attracting STEM talent and optimizing it for the hardware and semiconductor industry is crucial for executing on Canadian tech potential. How can companies best leverage the tech talent both here and abroad and optimize these expertise to progress faster and farther?

Moderated by Erin Bury, CEO, Willful

4:30 PM

Pitch Competition Awards Ceremony

The Pitch Judges reveal their choices for the winners of this year's HardTech Pitch Competition

5:00 PM

Networking

Opportunity to network with our speakers, pitch finalists, judges, and other fellow conference attendees!

Sponsors

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Contact

For any questions or further information about HardTech, please contact Henry Wong, Events Manager at hwong@venturelab.ca

Register to HardTech

Startup Pass for entrepreneurs, non-profits, and women in tech - $149
Corporate and Government Pass - $229
Virtual Pass - FREE

HardTech Terms and Conditions