Startup masterclasses

Join us at Centre Stage for the official opening of Collision 2023.

Amazon Web Services CEO Adam Selipsky and Wired editor-at-large Steven Levy sit down for a thought-provoking conversation about technology, transformation and the future.

The advent of technologies such as ChatGPT has ushered in a wave of excitement about the possibilities of generative AI. Amid all the hype, where will the real value creation come from? And can startups really compete against tech giants and their vast resources?

As organizations grow, they also tend to slow. So how do you buck the trend and maintain or increase product velocity as you get bigger? Stripe CTO David Singleton shares four tips for shipping fast at scale, from practical adoption of AI to building on sensible architecture.

Join this session for an exclusive announcement about tech talent attraction strategies from Canada’s minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship, Sean Fraser.

Borders shouldn’t be barriers to accessing the best talent available. And yet, historically, startups and growing businesses have been boxed in by geographical limits in hiring. This session showcases a new service that will help growing companies of every size hire the best employees, globally.

Friend or foe? With generative AI offering more possibilities for work automation, data personalization, software integrations and more, how will it work hand in hand with SaaS aficionados? Join Glean CEO Arvind Jain and Ada co-founder and CEO Mike Murchison to find out.

In this session, Autumn Peltier explores fighting for Indigenous rights, the importance of raising awareness and fostering collaboration, and the vital role that traditional knowledge and wisdom can play in creating a sustainable future.

Humankind is just now discovering the full possibilities of generative AI's impact on industry, society and the global economy. In this session, GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke unveils first-of-its-kind research – co-authored with Harvard professor Marco Iansiti – that explores the economic impact of generative AI and the benefits of AI-powered developer tools.

We’ve never had more options for how to represent ourselves online, but what is an avatar, really? What are they good for? Why are they suddenly everywhere? Can they be used to enhance our lives, or are they just another step towards the end of humanity as we know it? Inspired by the unique experiences of creating Bitmoji – one of the world’s most beloved avatars – Ba’s avatar theory explores the untapped potential of the increasingly ubiquitous trend.

In this session, 1Password CEO Jeff Shiner and GeoComply co-founder and CEO Anna Sainsbury explore the intersection of cybersecurity and fraud prevention, discussing whether creating a robust defence against modern threats is possible.

In 2022, Twitter as we knew it disappeared. As the social media platform flounders under Elon Musk’s leadership, new alternatives are popping up every other day. One such platform is T2, an aptly named platform founded by a Twitter and Google veteran, Gabor Cselle. Join this session to find out if T2 really will be Twitter 2.0, and to get a chance to secure exclusive access to the platform.

The first half of 2023 has presented a challenging landscape, marked by an economic downturn, the SVB explosion and the onset of the VC winter. However, within this landscape, hope remains as opportunities emerge. Join Stash Financial CEO Liza Landsman and Alloy co-founder Laura Spiekerman as they come together to inspire optimism about the future of fintech.

Xanadu is on a mission to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere. If the Canadian company is successful in this mission, what might it mean for day-to-day life? Founder and CEO Christian Weedbrook explores.

How is technology shaping the games industry? Join Electronic Arts CTO Marija Radulovic-Nastic to explore the intersection of technology and creativity, the rise of user-generated content, and the emerging technology driving the interactive entertainment of tomorrow.

With wildfires breaking out across Canada, it's time to re-evaluate how we deal with the restoration of forest ecosystems. Join World Wildlife Fund Canada's (WWF-Canada) Megan Leslie to learn how technology can help build resilience in the face of climate change.

Legendary investor Hans Tung explores the current VC market, and examines the generational impact that AI could have across the startup landscape.

What’s the next killer app? How will AI change our connected future? When – and in what key industries – will 5G and augmented reality’s promise show? Are there cybersecurity dangers the more software-defined our automobiles become? AT&T CTO Jeremy Legg and technology influencer Marques Brownlee answer these questions and more.

AI has already transformed many aspects of how we live our lives. In the coming years, it has the potential to drive one of the greatest social, economic and scientific transformations in history. Join Google DeepMind chief business officer Colin Murdoch to discover how the AI research lab is progressing towards a world in which artificial intelligence tech helps solve the biggest challenges facing humanity.

The market across US tech sectors is becoming increasingly volatile. What would the country's neighbour to the north do differently? Join this session to explore the next chapter of Canadian tech.

Join this session as actor and director Sarah Wayne Callies and Tony Hawk Foundation board member Tony Conrad discuss their moves into activism, and explore how to use your influence to mobilize large audiences and foster meaningful impact.

Speed has always been a top priority for businesses in today's fast-paced market. With the increasing prevalence of AI and automation, the ability to exert control over your brand and processes has become more important than ever. In this session, Jasper AI co-founder and CEO Dave Rogenmoser – in conversation with Wired global editorial director Gideon Lichfield – explores how AI is changing the fundamentals of marketing strategy, and dives into why businesses need to prioritize control alongside speed in order to thrive in an AI-enabled world. Join Dave and Gideon to get actionable insights on how to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving landscape of AI-driven marketing.

Finding a co-founder for your startup is one of the most critical business decisions you’ll ever make. The co-founder dynamic can make or break a startup, and a solid founder is the first thing that early-stage investors look for. So what makes a good founder? Join this session to find out.

It's time for a marketing masterclass. Join this session as industry experts discuss the trends of tomorrow.

When women leaders are leaving the workforce faster than ever, it’s especially critical for businesses to recognize and reward talent in a meaningful way, such as through increased pay and steps toward promotion. In this session, Chief co-founder Lindsay Kaplan shares why women leaders need more support navigating economic volatility and why diverse companies do better financially.

The gaming industry is worth more than TV and film combined, and the potential for innovation has never been higher. In this session, Twitch chief product officer Tom Verrilli and Roblox chief scientist Morgan McGuire assess the latest and greatest in gaming, from player engagement, to AI and the shift from anointed AAA publisher projects to more user generated content.

Airbnb is built on trust. On a given night, a population nearly the size of Toronto stays in people’s homes around the world via the platform. In this session, Airbnb’s trust and safety leaders talk about the ongoing work to help ensure guests sleep well with Airbnb.

Shopify COO Kaz Nejatian explores the latest technologies – including AI, mobile and community commerce – enabling brands to connect with customers in authentic ways, even while competing in a crowded retail market that has ever-changing consumer demands.

Our planet's future depends on solutions from every industry around the world. In this session, innovators that are leading the way in food and energy – Perfect Day and Pristine Sun – discuss how they view humankind's shared path forward, and explore how rising to the challenge is bringing companies together across industries and geographies.

While many VCs are still adjusting to a new world after an unprecedented bull market, the opportunities presented by AI are creating huge excitement in the industry. So for leading investors, what areas are they most excited about this year? Join this session to find out more.

Cognitive psychologist and computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton – the 'godfather of AI' – started researching AI more than 40 years ago, when it seemed more like science fiction than reality. Join Geoffrey, in conversation with the Atlantic CEO Nick Thompson, for an exploration of the future of AI and a deep dive into its potential impact on society.

Our group round winners take to Centre Stage for the semi-final of PITCH. Each of the 10 semi-finalists will have three minutes to pitch their businesses. Our judges will then deliberate and choose three finalists to battle it out in the PITCH final. Meet our judges: – David Meltzer from David Meltzer Enterprises – Dan Grimm from AT&T – Geena Jackson from Bears' Lair – Jai Das from Sapphire Ventures – Kassandra Linklater from Frontier Collective – Matt Biilmann from Netlify – Peter Pernot-Day from Shein – Shalini Rao from TCV – Silvina Moschini from Unicoin

From the boardroom to the family dinner table, AI is dominating conversations far and wide. As companies incorporate AI into their products, how can they ensure they do so responsibly? As the co-founder of Grammarly – a company whose core product has been powered by artificial intelligence for more than a decade – Max Lytvyn understands the importance of applying such technology. In this session, find out what it takes to build a long-lasting AI SaaS company without ethical compromises.

Get ready for an eye-opening exploration of the trials, triumphs, and time-intensive nature of hardware development. From mind-bending circuits to supply chain showdowns, this session uncovers it all, leaving you with a newfound appreciation for the extraordinary effort behind every tech revolution.

AI is going to be the most transformational tool of our lifetimes. What are the risks and the opportunities? Inflection co-founder and CEO – and DeepMind co-founder – Mustafa Suleyman asks if humanity is prepared, and explains why millions of us might soon have a personal AI.

When global funds freeze, unicorns drop in valuation and startups scramble to navigate through the downturn. How have priorities shifted for founders and investors? What will become the new metrics for a successful tech story? Join this session to find out.

2023 has brought many curveballs – including mass layoffs, an economic downturn and the explosion of generative AI – to the tech industry. Join Siemens' Peter Koerte, Nylas' Christine Spang and OutSystems' Patrick Jean as they discuss how they lead their technical teams in such a pivotal time in tech.

Meet the pitch doctors! In preparation for the PITCH final, learn some of the dos and don'ts of pitching from founders who have raised US$130 million between them this year and an investor whose job it is to assess a startup based on their pitch. What hot tips can these experts pass on? Let's hope the finalists backstage are paying attention.

The finalists of the greatest startup competition in the world take to Centre Stage to battle it out for the title of 2023 PITCH champion. Meet our judges: – Wesley Chan from FPV Ventures – Mary D’Onofrio from Bessemer Venture Partners – John Ruffolo from Maverix Private Equity

One of the biggest stories in tech this year was the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, with much debate over the root causes. But the important questions remain – what will be the long-term ripple effects of the collapse, and how can it be ensured that something like this never happens again?

Was 2022 a hiccup or a turning point for the world of Web3? In this session, discover how far away a user-owned economy is, find out what has been holding back mass adoption, and explore where crypto goes in a post-FTX era.

As changing consumer needs and economic pressures have led retailers to rethink their supply chain models, Shein's agile approach offers a unique solution to the problem of ever-changing production demands. How did the global fashion and lifestyle brand build a future-proof supply chain to meet the demands of tomorrow's customers? Join this session to find out.

ClassDojo and Superhuman are no flash-in-the-pan companies. Their CEOs, Sam Chaudhary and Rahul Vohra, have gone against the grain of ‘move fast and break things’, in favor of deliberate, compounding growth that has resulted in two of the largest, most passionate user communities on the planet. In this session, learn how they’ve applied long-term strategic thinking to everything from finding investors and top talent, to product strategy and brand-building.

One of the most vibrant and quickly expanding economic sectors right now is healthtech. Join this session to find out where the majority of financing pouring into the sector is likely to go.

The winner of the greatest startup competition in the world takes to Centre Stage to be crowned 2023 PITCH champion.

TikTok content has started to dominate across social media platforms. But how can you engage viewers in less than a minute? Join TikTok sensation Michael Le to discover how to grab a TikTok audience and what makes a video pop on the platform.

Natural language sits at the heart of human intelligence. It is the unique skill that unambiguously separates us from other species and provides a window into how our minds process the world. As we continue to equip machines with the ability to understand and respond to language, people are beginning to realize the full potential of this technology. In this session, Cohere founder and CEO Aidan Gomez joins author and political commentator Stephen Marche to discuss the importance of the next 18 months for AI, and to explore how the technology will propel an intellectual workforce revolution – similar to how the steam engine propelled an industrial revolution more than 100 years ago.