Back for its third year, the IP Summit Conference brings practical, systems-oriented sessions for founders and operators building IP-intensive companies. Learn how to move faster with fewer missteps by using Canada’s IP supports effectively, tracking progress without adding overhead, and building the right capabilities at the right stage.

​Due to limited seating, companies looking to optimize and leverage their existing IP strategy will be prioritized.

Featuring panellists and moderators:

• ​Houston Brown
  IP Executive & Registered Patent Agent
• ​Derek de Laat
  President & CEO, FIN IP Group
• Rachel Haller
  Senior Corporate Counsel, Microsoft
• ​Kerry Hillier
  Vice President & General Counsel, Ballard Power Systems
• ​Brian J. Lally
  President and Chief Operating Officer, Ford Global Technologies LLC.
  Associate General Counsel, Intellectual Property – Transactions & Market Compliance, Ford Motor Company – Office of General Counsel
• Karn Manhas
  Founder & Executive Chair, Terramera
• Erin Pisko
  VP, Strategy, Innovation Asset Collective (IAC)
• ​Maryam Sadeghi
  CEO, MetaOptima
• Joel Semeniuk
  CEO, Primal
• Conor Sheehan
  VP, Global IP Business Development, UnitedLex
• ​Byron Thom
  Partner, BDC Industrial Innovation Venture Fund (I2VF)
• ​Jessica Yip
  COO & Co-Founder, A&K Robotics

​​​​​New Ventures BC is proud to be an official partner of Vancouver Startup Week 2026. This event is part of the VSW 2026 calendar and is offered for free to VSW All-Access Pass holders on a first come first served basis (limited number of seats.) If you would like to purchase a VSW All-Access Pass, you can do so online at www.vanstartupweek.ca using our 20% off promo code: NVBC20