Collision Tech Conference returns to Toronto in June

Photo courtesy of Collisionconf.com

Article by Curt Render, Columnist

TORONTO. – One of the globe’s biggest tech events is back in person in Toronto. This conference brings hundreds of speakers, investors, and startups, so the main question is where do you start?

The Collision Conference is back in Toronto in June for the first time since the pandemic postponed it in 2019. The conference brings together more than 33,000 attendees, 850 investors, 1250 startups, 1200 journalists and 200 partners from 140 countries for four days of keynotes, panels, education sessions and networking. Speakers so far confirmed include Wikipedia Founder Jimmy Wales, Co-founder and CEO of Clearco Michele Romanow, Minister of Innovation, Science & Industry of Canada Francois-Philippe Champagne and Founder and CEO of Startup Mexico Marcus Dantus. Dozens more are expected to be announced closer to the event.

Toronto Mayor John Tory said the city is more than ready to welcome back tech events. “Collision gives us the opportunity to further showcase the growing technology and innovation sector in Toronto and our deep pool of diverse tech professionals to thousands of people from all across the world,” he said. “This conference and the return of in-person events all help create more employment opportunities and investments in our city to ensure that we come back stronger than ever.”

Such a massive conference can be overwhelming. So how do you get the best out of it? Here are five ways to make the most of Collision 2022.

Showcase your startup

Collision is a chance for early-stage startups to connect with investors, talent and journalists. The conference’s startup program, ALPHA, is currently accepting applications. Selected startups receive three conference tickets, access to investor meetings, and may be chosen to present their company onstage at a startup showcase or pitch competition.

Katherine Wong Too Yen, director of marketing at real estate tech startup Perch, said she’s excited for her team to attend the conference through the program: “I’m looking forward to getting back onto the conference circuit, meeting new potential partners and users, and hearing insights from the leaders behind the tech I use.”

Learn from the experts

Collision has more than 20 content tracks with speakers, panels, and learning opportunities. The tracks run the gamut from a sports technology to design to corporate innovation, so whatever your niche you should be able to find something of interest. But several will be relevant to most startup founders.

• The Startup University is a crash course on being an entrepreneur, from pitching your idea to scaling your company.
• Remote – The Future of Work will explore how the pandemic shift towards remote workforces is affecting work-life balance, impacting diversity and inclusion, and changing how companies operate.
• With sustainability issues coming to the fore in all lines of business, the planet:tech track is a must. It includes speakers on the business and cultural impacts of climate change, clean energy and plant-based R&D.

Score cheap tickets

Collision’s Women in Tech network aims to help create gender balance in tech and connect women through education and mentorship opportunities. The program is open to anyone who is a woman or identifies as a woman and works in tech. Once accepted into the network, participants can purchase Collision tickets for themselves and a colleague at 90 percent off the standard price. Tickets include conference entry and access to extras, including the RBC Women in Tech Lounge, masterclasses, and roundtables.

Finally figure out what crypto is

You can’t scroll through Twitter without someone sharing an NFT or evangelizing about the latest crypto trend. Politicians are now buying shawarma with Bitcoin. If you only have a hazy idea what any of this means, you might want to check out Collision’s Crypto stage, which is a new addition to the conference this year. It includes panels featuring leaders in decentralized finance, cryptocurrencies and blockchain and in-depth learning sessions. Past Collision speakers have included Block (formerly known as Square) founder Jack Dorsey and Ethereum blockchain co-founder Joseph Lubin, so you’ll be hearing from the pros.

Network the night away

It wouldn’t be a conference without some after-hours networking and socializing. Collision After Hours takes over bars, restaurants and clubs across Toronto, enabling attendees to explore the city and make new connections. Each venue provides a unique experience. In past years, Collision has put on live music and events in the Entertainment District, Distillery, Liberty Village, and the Esplanade.

Collision is at Toronto’s Enercare Centre June 20–23. Tickets available at collisionconf.com.

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