Vancouver, Canada - Web Summit 2025 has officially branded Vancouver as a global and innovative hub for technology, bringing together a record-breaking 15,727 attendees from 117 countries. This inaugural event in Vancouver has not only showcased the city’s vibrant tech scene but also created a truly international platform for dialogue, networking, and groundbreaking collaborations.
A key highlight of the summit is the impressive presence of startups—1,108 in total—from 64 countries, including Canada, the United States, Italy, Nigeria, India, and Ukraine. This represents the highest number of startups ever exhibited at a first-year Web Summit, underscoring the event’s growing significance as a launchpad for emerging tech entrepreneurs. Notably, 44% of these startups are founded by women, signaling a meaningful shift toward greater gender diversity and inclusion within the tech industry.
The event has also attracted prominent global corporate partners such as Microsoft, Mastercard, Fujitsu, IBM, Talkdesk, and Figma. With 159 partners and 681 investors hailing from influential venture funds like Thiel Capital, Khosla Ventures, 500 Global, and Initialized Capital, the summit’s ecosystem is robust and competitive. These collaborations are poised to fuel innovation across sectors, from AI and fintech to social media and sustainable technology.
In addition to industry leaders and investors, Web Summit Vancouver boasts a diverse array of diplomatic and trade delegations—50 in total—from South Korea, Turkey, Ukraine, Nigeria, and beyond. These delegations aim to foster international cooperation, trade, and knowledge exchange, emphasizing the summit’s role as a catalyst for global technological progress.
The summit’s program combines these dynamic factors with thought-provoking discussions. The opening ceremony, lively with dubstep beats and dazzling visuals, quickly shifted focus to critical conversations about technology's current limits and future potential. Industry voices such as New York University’s Gary Marcus provided sober reflections, acknowledging AI’s promising capabilities while highlighting significant concerns. Marcus cautioned against overestimating AI's reasoning abilities and warned of potential misuse by powerful entities—a timely reminder in an era increasingly shaped by geopolitics and digital influence.
Contrasting these cautious perspectives, Bluesky CEO Jay Graber offered an optimistic outlook on decentralization. With over 35 million users, Bluesky is pioneering a new era of social media characterized by user control, cross-platform identity, and innovative moderation tools. Her presentation detailed new features like enhanced privacy controls and partnerships with major tech firms, aiming to reshape how social platforms operate and empower users.
Throughout the event, breakout sessions highlighted emerging breakthroughs in quantum computing, biotechnology, and sustainable energy solutions. A notable Canadian startup announced a breakthrough in battery technology, promising significant improvements in electric vehicle range and charging times—a pivotal advancement in green transportation.
Environmental sustainability was woven into the fabric of the event. From locally sourced, plant-based catering to a pioneering carbon offset program supporting local green initiatives, organizers demonstrated their commitment to responsible innovation and climate consciousness.
Ultimately, Web Summit Vancouver illustrates a tech industry at a pivotal crossroads: balancing relentless innovation and optimism with a newfound emphasis on responsible development, ethical AI, and sustainable ecosystems. As the event continues until May 30, the conversations and collaborations fostered here are expected to shape the future of technology, building a more inclusive, responsible, and globally connected digital world.
