Where Hardtech Capital Meets Next-Gen Innovation
Connect with specialized investors who understand the unique scaling cycles of hardtech innovation
As Canada's leading hardtech accelerator, ventureLAB designed the HIN Venture Summit to shine a dedicated spotlight on hardtech and deeptech innovation. We bring together an elite concentration of investors with a deep understanding of the unique capital demands, scaling cycles, and massive potential of hardtech ventures. If you want deep-domain insights, specialized networking, and aligned funding, this is your unfair advantage.
Pillars:
~ Hardtech-Specific Expertise: Connect with investors who have a deep, specialized understanding of the hardtech investment landscape.
~ High-Value Networking: Access a curated network to build connections with Canada’s leading hardtech investors.
~ The Investor Reverse Pitch: Learn exactly what hardtech capital allocators are actively looking for, straight from the source.
Pillars:
~ Hardtech-Specific Expertise: Connect with investors who have a deep, specialized understanding of the hardtech investment landscape.
~ High-Value Networking: Access a curated network to build connections with Canada’s leading hardtech investors.
~ The Investor Reverse Pitch: Learn exactly what hardtech capital allocators are actively looking for, straight from the source.
Location
The Quay
Toronto Region Board of Trade
100 Queens Quay E
3rd Floor,
Toronto, ON M5E 1V3
Toronto Region Board of Trade
100 Queens Quay E
3rd Floor,
Toronto, ON M5E 1V3
Date & Time
September 28, 2026
11:30 AM
11:30 AM
Schedule
11:30 AM
Check In Opens
Networking and Lunch
12:30 pm
Opening Remarks
Raymond Chik, Advisory Board Chair, Hardtech Investor Network (HIN)
12:45 PM
THE NEW SOVEREIGNTY: AI, COMPUTE AND THE RACE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
Sharif Virani, CEO, SPUR Innovation Center
1:05 PM
Reverse Pitch - Session 1
2:00 PM
The Hardtech Money Problem: Raising Capital in Physical AI
Building a hardtech company has never been easy, but the rules for raising capital are changing again. As physical AI, semiconductors, robotics and dual-use technologies attract growing attention, founders are navigating a funding landscape with higher technical risk, longer commercialization timelines and evolving investor expectations. This conversation brings together investors and founders to unpack what it really takes to raise early-stage capital today, what makes companies stand out, and where the biggest opportunities are emerging.
2:30 PM
Founder Pitch Competition
DISC Alloys
LIOR Pupillometry
Minera Systems
LIOR Pupillometry
Minera Systems
3:00 PM
Building Canada’s Next Generation of Hardtech Champions: Capital, Commercialization & Sovereignty
Fireside Chat with Peter Suma, Managing Partner, The StrongNorth Fund, BDC
3:30 PM
Reverse Pitch - Session 2
4:30 PM
Founder Pitch Awards
4:45 PM
Closing Remarks
Paula Cruickshank, Senior Vice President Fund Investments, BDC
5:00 Pm-7:00 pm
Cocktails & Capital Networking
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