Latest news with #WebSummit2025
Cision Canada
08-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Frontier Collective Announces Vancity Innovation House May 28th
VANCOUVER, BC, May 8, 2025 /CNW/ - Frontier Collective, the group building and transforming Vancouver's tech ecosystem, is excited to announce a partnership with Vancity credit union to present the Vancity Innovation House, a one-of-a-kind space and impact-focused events program in Vancouver's Gastown on May 28, 2025. Frontier Collective and presenting partner Vancity will be running the city's premier networking hub that will feature demos and talks with global industry leaders and local changemakers, featuring a full day of panels, fireside chats, and hands-on activations spotlighting cutting-edge advancements in climate tech, AI, fintech, robotics, mobility, clean energy, life sciences, and more. Through this partnership, Vancity brings its commitment to sustainability, equity, and innovation to help power the conversations—and the change—at Vancity Innovation House. The Vancity Innovation House's initial speaker line-up includes Max Lytvyn, Co-Founder at Grammarly, Anna Sainsbury, Co-Founder and CEO at GeoComply, Chantelle Murnaghan, VP Research and Product Innovation at Lululemon, and more, with many additional speakers and participants to come. As part of this exciting partnership, Vancity is also sponsoring a $20,000 pitch contest for impact-related innovation. "We're thrilled to partner with Frontier Collective on this exciting showcase of new technologies and ideas shaping the future right here in our own backyard," said Wellington Holbrook, CEO of Vancity. "We are building the next iteration of Vancity—Vancity 2.0— and we know that technology and innovation need to be at the heart of our work to solve our member and community challenges. We see this event as a unique opportunity to connect bold thinkers and doers who are not only pushing boundaries but also building a more sustainable, inclusive economy right here in B.C." Tech leaders, builders, and decision-makers in Vancouver for Web Summit 2025 won't want to miss this strong value-add as part of their summit calendar. Frontier Collective were instrumental in bringing Web Summit to Vancouver, and with past takeovers at Collision and SXSW under their belt—and the addition of Vancity's impact-focused innovation lens—the partnership will curate high-impact conversations and connections. The programming will begin at 10:00 AM, transitioning to a happy hour at 4:30 PM, and closing with an exclusive VIP reception at 6:30 PM, offering a complete experience of the best ideas and innovations beyond the conference floor. Those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP soon to secure their place—spots are limited. "Leaders will tell you that so much of the summit magic happens at intimate, curated events like this, from dealmaking to network-building to deep conversations that change the world," says Dan Burgar, CEO and Co-Founder of Frontier Collective. "We are so excited to be hosting the Vancity Innovation House in our hometown and showcasing what makes this ecosystem world-leading." About Vancity Vancity is a values-based financial co-operative serving the needs of its 570,000 member-owners and their communities, with offices and more than 50 branches located in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Victoria, Squamish and Alert Bay, within the territories of the Coast Salish and Kwakwaka'wakw people. With $35.5 billion in assets plus assets under administration, Vancity is one of Canada's largest credit unions. Vancity uses its assets to help improve the financial well-being of its members while at the same time helping to develop healthy communities that are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. About Frontier Collective
Zawya
27-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
US' Snap Inc to launch first Mena AR academy in Qatar
Qatar - The partnership with GCO for the first AR academy will unlock new opportunities and empower the next generation of AR creators and developers. Snap Inc, an American technology company, will launch in Qatar its first augmented reality (AR) academy in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region. In this regard, Snap Inc signed a landmark memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Government Communications Office (GCO) at the Web Summit 2025. The partnership with GCO for the first AR academy will unlock new opportunities and empower the next generation of AR creators and developers. This move also underscores Snap's long-term commitment to investing in Mena's digital ecosystem, by building AR capabilities for partners both old and new, which is critical to digital transformation agendas. "This initiative aligns with Qatar's National Vision 2030 in building a knowledge-based economy and nurturing the next generation of creators by equipping them with the essential tools and skills to navigate global digital transformations. Through our investment in such pioneering programmes, we continue to strengthen Qatar's position as a regional centre for digital excellence and technological innovation," said Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor al-Thani, director of the GCO and chairman of the Permanent Web Summit Organising Committee. Hussein Freijeh, General Manager of Snap Inc in the Middle East said the long-term success of the technology requires a vibrant developer and creator ecosystem, which is critical to the digital transformation taking place in the region. "Once again we are honoured to work hand in hand with GCO to drive the growth and digital upskilling of the thriving talent pool and we cannot wait to see the groundbreaking work they produce," he added. AR has played a pivotal role in visual communication for more than a decade, pioneered by Snapchat and widely loved by online communities and brands all over the world for its ability to elevate creativity, connection and self-expression. From retail try-ons, and now Gen AI, Snapchat has evolved AR into a tool for human connection and spatial computing. Today, more than 300mn people use AR on Snapchat and more than 85% of Mena daily users interact with Lenses every day. In the fourth quarter of 2024 alone, more than 400mn Snapchatters engaged with Gen AI-powered Lenses over 4bn times. At present, more than 375,000 AR creators, developers, and teams from nearly every country in the world have built over 4mn Lenses. Many of these are created using fifth generation Snap Spectacles, which have capabilities to better build and experiment with AR, allowing users to interact with the world and each other in entirely new ways. © Gulf Times Newspaper 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
21-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Runway to Web Summit Qatar 2025 addresses key challenges in tech
DOHA: Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), in partnership with Web Summit and the Government Communications Office, hosted 'Runway to Web Summit Qatar 2025', yesterday in anticipation of the Web Summit Qatar 2025 next week. The event, which brought together prominent industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators witnessed the participation of Paddy Cosgrave, CEO of Web Summit; Dr. Jack Lau, President of QSTP; Hayfa Al Abdullah, Innovation Director, Qatar Science & Technology Park; Amna Khalid Al Kaabi, Head of Emerging Technologies, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT); and Dr. Ahmed K. Elmagarmid – Executive Director, Qatar Computing Research Institute. The event provided an opportunity for the participants to hear valuable insights during a fireside chat with Cosgrave and Dr. Lau. The CEO and Founder of Web Summit highlighted the challenges and early days of establishing the technology event in 2009, which grew from 150 participants to over 60,000 in 2024, with the attendance of Chinese entrepreneurs and VCs in the later years. 'It was clear that this trend would accumulate over time, and about five years ago, in the fields of machine learning and AI, Chinese academics were already producing more high-quality citations than their Western counterparts, Cosgrave said. He mentioned that Chinese dominance in every tech sector was inevitable for a long period of time. The Web Summit CEO said 'It wasn't fully believable until recently, though, when DeepSeek's progress became undeniable just a few weeks ago. Other sectors have also been heading in this direction, where the realisation has set in that the model-based approach to innovation far surpasses anything that existed before.' Cosgrave further emphasised 'Looking forward, I believe the outlook is incredibly positive. The current driving force is likely the faster-than-expected decline in the West, accompanied by the realisation that the West will need to adapt to survive in a rapidly changing world.' 'This shift isn't just about US foreign policy; it also involves the way innovation is created, and products are developed. 'The world is changing in a way it hasn't for around 500 years, and it's hard to ignore that the landscape is evolving drastically,' he added. Runway to Web Summit 2025 also included a panel discussion on 'Building the Future of Technology in the Middle East' with leading industry figures, as well as startup success stories from QSTP alumni and Web Summit attendees. In addition to that, participants witnessed a startup showcase and networking session, offering a unique chance to connect with key players in Qatar's entrepreneurial ecosystem. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
20-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Web Summit Qatar 2025 to see record number of startups, investors participation
Doha, Qatar: Web Summit Qatar has emerged as the region's premier technology conference, and its second edition is set to bring together an increased number of tech entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, and industry leaders from around the world. Web Summit Qatar 2025 is expected to see an increase in attendance, with around 35,000 participants, 60% of whom will be local. The event will host 1,500 startups of which 200 are from Qatar, and investor participation has increased by 50% compared to last year, said officials addressing a press conference yesterday. Director of the Government Communications Office and Chairman of the Permanent Web Summit Organising Committee, H E Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani, said, 'Last year, we hosted the inaugural edition of Web Summit Qatar, the largest tech event in the MENA region, marking a valuable addition to Qatar's achievements. Our primary goal in hosting this event is to develop the tech sector in Qatar and strengthen its position as a leading regional hub.' Web Summit Qatar 2025 will feature a 140 percent increase in Qatari startup participation compared to last year's event. It will also welcome more than 300 local and international speakers, 600 investors, 150 partners, and 600 media representatives. Web Summit Qatar 2025 has new stages and tracks, including Developer Summit, AI Summit, Creative Summit, New Energy Summit, and Government Summit. 'We are confident that this year's edition will exceed expectations, as these figures show strong interest from major tech leaders and entrepreneurs worldwide who are eager to participate in Web Summit Qatar 2025,' said H E Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani. Web Summit, described as the largest global event in the tech industry, and the Web Summit Qatar will be held five times through 2028. Web Summit 2025 will be held between February 23 and 26 Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC). Founder and CEO of Web Summit, Paddy Cosgrave highlighted that the increase in the number of startups at Web Summit 2025 compared to last year is a significant achievement and demonstrates strong support for Web Summit Qatar. 'Gathering more than 1,500 startups from over 90 countries around the world is something that doesn't happen anywhere else in the region. There are no other events even close to it. For me, that's the true measure of a technology conference,' he said adding that the number of investors traveling from around the world has also increased sharply in a single year by around 50 percent. In response to a question from The Peninsula about Qatar attracting investors, startups, and partners, Cosgrave said, 'It's clearly attracting people when you look at the numbers and the huge growth in just one year. I believe the world is shifting.' He continued, 'The center of gravity for the world is moving eastward, and Qatar is incredibly well-placed for the 21st century. Despite being a very small country, it's already showing its significance in global affairs. It's becoming a key meeting point, not only for startups and large tech companies but also for some of the most important discussions about the future of the world.' Web Summit Qatar 2025 will host a diverse range of global partners, and this edition features an extensive programme of panel discussions, workshops and keynote sessions designed to explore the latest advancements in technology and digital markets. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
