When Web Summit arrived in Vancouver for the first time in 2025, it marked the beginning of a three-year journey – for the city, the event, and British Columbia’s technology sector. Now, as the event enters its second year, May 11–14, 2026, the journey is gaining momentum.
Putting B.C. Creative Tech on the Global Map
For DigiBC, Web Summit has always been more than a major international tech conference. It’s a platform to bring B.C.’s creative technology ecosystem to the forefront, showcasing the studios, people, and ideas shaping the future of video games, animation, visual effects, and XR.
B.C. has spent decades building one of the world’s most respected creative technology ecosystems. Global companies have grown here. Generations of talent have been trained here. Major games, animated productions, VFX projects, and immersive experiences have been made here.
At the same time, a new generation of emerging studios continues to take root, build intellectual property, and look outward to global markets.
At Web Summit Vancouver 2026, those two stories come together: the strength of what B.C. has already built, and the opportunity ahead.
“Web Summit Vancouver gives us a rare opportunity to show the full arc of B.C.’s creative tech ecosystem,” says Loc Dao, Executive Director of DigiBC. “We have global leaders who have established this sector over decades, and we have a new generation of studios ready to grow. Bringing these stories together on an international stage is incredibly powerful – especially as we embark on year two of this journey.”
Local Success Becomes International Momentum
One of the most powerful things about the Web Summit ecosystem – something we’ve come to understand more deeply in our second year – is that Vancouver is on-ramp to something much larger.
Canadian and B.C. companies that enter the Web Summit ecosystem in Vancouver gain access to a global network spanning Lisbon, Doha, Rio de Janeiro, and beyond. A connection made at the BC Pavilion in May can become a co-production partnership at Web Summit Lisbon in November.
Expanding the Spotlight on Creative Tech in 2026
In year one, B.C.’s creative technology sector made an important breakthrough: video games were featured on Centre Stage at Web Summit Vancouver for the first time. It was a milestone moment for a sector that has long been central to B.C.’s economy, culture and global reputation – yet whose impact is still too often not in the same conversation as traditional industries.
For year two, the creative tech presence is expanding, with B.C.’s video game, animation, VFX, and XR sectors showing up across multiple parts of the Web Summit experience, from the BC Pavilion and Creative Tech Startup Island to major programming streams such as Centre Stage, Film Summit, and Gaming Summit.
“Last year opened the door. This year is about momentum,” says Dao. “This year, we’re seeing creative tech show up in more places, with more companies, more leaders and more opportunities to connect with the global Web Summit ecosystem.”
Government Support Makes it All Possible
None of what you’ll see at Web Summit Vancouver happens without the sustained, visionary support at the federal, provincial, and local levels.
Web Summit Vancouver is made possible through partnerships with Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan), the Province of British Columbia, Destination Vancouver, the City of Vancouver, and Invest Vancouver.
The Province also provides direct and crucial support for B.C.’s creative tech sector, including tax credits that have anchored major studios here, as well as support for emerging company expansion; Creative Industries Week programming that brings government and industry together to advocate for the ecosystem; and funding for DigiBC’s Work Placement Program that helps small and emerging studios access talent.
Another set of critical public funding mechanisms – especially for Canadian-owned studios – are IP support frameworks such as the Canada Media Fund IDM Programs and Creative BC/Province of BC’s Video Game and Interactive funds. These allow Canadian companies to build intellectual property they own and control.
“We can never take for granted the environment the Province of BC and Government of Canada have helped build for B.C.’s creative technology sector,” says Dao. “Every emerging studio at Startup Island, every panel on Centre Stage – they’re all built on years of policy and investment decisions that said: this industry matters. We’re grateful for that, and we’re committed to building on it.”
What to Watch For: Web Summit 2026 Creative Tech Highlights
Here’s a quick look at DigiBC’s programming and presence across the event:
May 11: Tech Advantage Tours
In collaboration with Invest Vancouver and the Centre for Digital Media, DigiBC is facilitating tours and connections with international investors for local gaming and creative companies.
May 12: BC Pavilion Creative Tech Programming
DigiBC will help lead a dedicated creative tech focus at the Web Summit BC Pavilion, highlighting regional talent, innovation and leadership. Together, these sessions reflect some of the most important conversations shaping B.C.’s creative technology future:
- Indigenous Sovereignty in Tech. Featuring Natiea Vinson, CEO of First Nations Technology Council mandated by the BC Assembly of First Nations to advance digital skills, connectivity, IM and tech support for BC First Nations, as well as Tech Founder and Investor Josh Nilson, and Filmmaker and Founder of IM4 Lab Loretta Todd.
- Creative Tech Investing: What VCs and Publishers want to see in a pitch for a video game studio and product. Moderator: Jeanne-Marie Owens, Co-Founder, Critical Path Games, Phoenix Labs, Board Chair, DigiBC. Panelists: Jesse Houston (Griffin Ventures), Arneh Khatchatourians (Kabam), Matt Bilbey (London Venture Partners).
- Public Funding’s Critical Role in IP. Featuring: Bob Wong, Vice-President, Creative BC, Janine Steele, IDM Director, Canada Media Fund, and Peter Cowan, CEO, Innovate BC.
Moderator: Liz Shorten, COO, CMPA.
Read more about the BC Pavilion Program.
May 12–14: Creative Tech Startup Island
DigiBC is also supporting Creative Tech Startup Island, featuring emerging studios and companies preparing to pitch, network, and connect with global investors, partners and industry leaders. Participating companies:
Alpha:
- Moonspire Games
- Sonical.ly
- Lost Cartridge Creations
- Fableware
- Simply Sweet Games
- Cartesian Theatre Corp.
- Clip Through Interactive Ltd.
Beta:
For early-stage companies, Startup Island is a critical showcase. It’s also a practical market-readiness opportunity; a chance to sharpen messaging, test investor conversations, build relationships and begin seeing themselves in a global context.
Several participating studios are alumni of the Road to Web Summit program, run by Innovate BC in partnership with DigiBC Elevate, a pathway designed to get B.C. creative tech companies market-ready and export-ready.
Centre Stage Creative Tech Programming
Creative technology will also be part of major Web Summit Vancouver programming, including Centre Stage sessions such as:
- Building a World-Class Creative Tech Hub: Lessons from Vancouver
- It’s in the Game (Engine): Interactive Sports’ Tech Evolution
Film Summit
B.C.’s animation and VFX leadership will also shine as part of Film Summit programming, including:
Gaming Summit
Gaming Summit sessions will spotlight the people, companies and business realities shaping the future of the industry, including:
- Who Builds the Future of Gaming?
- Game Over, Continue? Lessons From the Ups and Downs of Building Game Studios
The Journey Continues
Web Summit Vancouver is a three-year commitment, and we’re at the midpoint. The presence we’ve built so far is becoming something durable: B.C. as a recognized, recurring voice in global technology conversations.
The companies on Startup Island this week are the Centre Stage speakers of tomorrow. The partnerships formed at the BC Pavilion are the co-productions and acquisitions announced at future summits.
The connections compound and the journey – for Web Summit, for Vancouver, and for creative tech – goes on. We hope to see you there.
Read more about DigiBC at Web Summit 2026!