Toronto’s tech scene is bracing for a bigger, bolder encore. After an inaugural year that turned heads and proved the city could hold its own on the global innovation stage, Toronto Tech Week is set to make its return in 2026. This time, the calendar shifts forward: five days of programming will run from May 25–29, carving out an earlier spot in the year while building on the surge of momentum the first edition created.
Building on 2025’s Remarkable Success
The conference emerged as a community-driven response to fill the void left when Collision relocated to Vancouver, rebranding as Web Summit Vancouver. Operating as a volunteer-run, non-profit initiative, Toronto Tech Week 2025 exceeded expectations, drawing over 15,000 unique attendees across 324 events in 26+ neighbourhoods, hosted by 418+ companies and community partners.
The inaugural year proved that Toronto’s tech ecosystem could deliver both substance and spectacle. Federal AI Minister Evan Solomon made major policy announcements from the Evergreen Brick Works stage, launching the $300 million AI Compute Access Fund and announcing $3.5 million in funding to the Vector Institute for its HealthSpark program.
A Format That Fostered Real Connections
The decentralized format proved highly effective in 2025, allowing the event to showcase Toronto’s tech ecosystem broadly rather than concentrating activities in a single venue. Over 400 partner organizations contributed to programming that ranged from traditional tech talks to unconventional activities like pickleball tournaments and cold plunge sessions. This approach created what attendees described as an “alive” feeling throughout the city.
The format also enabled real business outcomes. At the DMZ Insiders Showcase, NextGen Sound (an AI audio startup) secured a $150,000 investment live on stage, while ARKI, a sustainable design tool powered by AI, won the People’s Choice Award.
Star Power with Substance
The first year attracted heavyweight speakers who delivered memorable moments. The marquee session featured Shopify’s Tobi Lütke and Social Capital’s Chamath Palihapitiya in an unscripted conversation at the Homecoming event, where Lütke reminded the audience that “AI isn’t magic dust, it’s just the latest lens for good old-fashioned problem solving.” Palihapitiya warned against “vibe coding” replacing rigorous development practices.
Perhaps the most intellectually stimulating debate came from AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton in conversation with Cohere’s Nick Frosst, where Hinton raised eyebrows by claiming that large language models could one day become conscious. The spirited exchange underscored the biggest question facing Canada’s tech sector: Can the country lead the future of AI ethically?
Raquel Urtasun, founder of self-driving startup Waabi, brought urgency to discussions about Canada’s AI strategy, arguing that the country was overlooking physical AI, including robotics and real-world systems. Her call for safety-first frameworks resonated throughout the week.
Showcasing Canada’s Next Generation
Toronto Tech Week 2025 also provided a platform for emerging companies across deep tech and clean tech. Carbon removal startup Deep Sky demonstrated scalable CO₂ capture infrastructure, while Xatoms showcased AI and quantum design applications for water purification. MycoFutures introduced sustainable leather made from fungi, and NordSpace revealed ambitions to build Canada’s first private space launch system.
The diversity extended nationally, with Québec-based 9Bio Therapeutics highlighting how AI can redesign cancer drugs, proving that while Toronto Tech Week was rooted in Toronto, its impact reached across Canada.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Leadership for the 2026 edition will be shared between co-directors Mellonie Truong and Julia Konefal, supported by a founding team that includes notable figures from the Toronto tech scene. Their strategy focuses on expanding the event’s reach through more programming options, increased participation, and enhanced value creation for the local technology community.
The earlier May timing for 2026 could help Toronto Tech Week establish its own identity in the global conference calendar while avoiding conflicts with other major technology events. Given 2025’s success in combining serious business discussions with community-building activities, the 2026 event is positioned to build on a proven formula.
As one attendee noted, Toronto Tech Week 2025 wasn’t a “Canada vs. Silicon Valley” conversation, but Canada confidently staking its own claim. With momentum clearly building and a successful template in place, Toronto Tech Week 2026 promises to further cement Toronto’s position as a major player in the global technology landscape.
