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Last week, our team had the pleasure of attending Collision 2024 in Toronto, an event filled with innovation, networking, and groundbreaking ideas. The conference attracted over 37,000 attendees from 117 countries, featuring 1,834 companies exhibiting on the event floor, including startups from 57 countries and global partners like Amazon. Here are some of the highlights and key takeaways from this incredible event.
Congratulations to This Year’s Pitch Winner!
We are thrilled to announce and extend our heartfelt congratulations to VoxCell BioInnovation, the winner of the PITCH competition at Collision 2024! VoxCell, a Victoria-based healthtech startup, has revolutionized cancer treatment with their bio-printed human-like cancer tissue models, allowing drug developers to identify ineffective drugs much earlier in the process. This groundbreaking innovation earned them the top spot in this year’s competition, showcasing their potential to significantly impact the healthcare industry. Well done, VoxCell BioInnovation! 🌟👏
Quantum Computing and AI: Pushing the Boundaries
One of the highlights of Day 2 was the insightful presentation by Florian Neukart of Terra Quantum. He discussed the exciting intersection of quantum technology and artificial intelligence. Terra Quantum's Quantum as a Service platform offers breakthrough algorithms and tools for building and running quantum models, unlocking immense business potential with a hardware-agnostic approach.
Women in Tech: Celebrating Milestones
This year, Collision celebrated a significant milestone with over 45 percent of startups (734) being women-founded, the highest proportion ever at a Collision event, up from 30 percent in 2023. Women made up 42 percent of all attendees and 35 percent of speakers across Collision's 18 tracks. This remarkable representation highlights the growing influence and impact of women in the tech industry.
DNA Computing: A Glimpse into the Future
Day 3 brought another fascinating technological frontier to the forefront with Dave Turek, CEO of Catalog, discussing the potential of computing with DNA. As conventional computers struggle to keep pace with modern data creation, Catalog aims to harness the power of DNA to capture critical insights that would otherwise be lost. This innovative approach could revolutionize data storage and processing.
Sports Technology: Bridging the Gap Between Athletes and Fans
NFL star Austin Ekeler introduced the Eksperience app, aiming to revolutionize fan engagement. This innovative platform offers personal video chats, fan meet-and-greets, and social media interactions, bringing athletes closer to their supporters. Ekeler's vision extends beyond mere interactions, aiming to provide athletes with tools to leverage their personal brands effectively.
Startup Inspiration and Innovation
Collision Conference continued to serve as a platform for startups to showcase their innovations and draw inspiration from industry leaders. The event's diverse range of topics and speakers provided valuable insights for entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in the tech world.
Toronto's Tech Ecosystem on Display
The City of Toronto took center stage at the conference with its dedicated pavilion, highlighting the city's thriving tech ecosystem. Visitors to the pavilion learned about Toronto's support for technology industries and its role in fostering growth and innovation. The showcase included home-grown technologies in AI, CleanTech, and Creative Technology, attracting potential investors and connecting local companies with backers.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Tech Conferences
As Collision 2024 drew to a close, attendees were left with a sense of excitement and anticipation for the future of technology. The announcement that Web Summit Vancouver will take over from Collision in Toronto starting in May 2025 signifies the continued growth and importance of North America in the global tech landscape. Vancouver, with its flourishing tech community, is poised to become the new hub for this world-class tech gathering.
A Glimpse into Tomorrow's Technology
Days 2 and 3 of Collision Conference 2024 provided attendees with a comprehensive look at the future of technology across various sectors. From the mind-bending potential of quantum computing and AI to the innovative use of DNA for data storage, the conference showcased the cutting edge of technological advancement. The sports technology segment, highlighted by Austin Ekeler's Eksperience app, demonstrated how digital platforms are revolutionizing fan engagement and empowering athletes.
Conclusion
The success of Collision Conference 2024 in Toronto serves as a testament to the city's and Canada's growing importance in the global tech landscape. As we bid farewell to this year's event, we look forward to the continued evolution of technology and the exciting innovations that will undoubtedly be unveiled at future conferences. We eagerly anticipate Web Summit Vancouver in 2025 and the next wave of groundbreaking discussions and innovative showcases.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights as we continue to explore the ever-evolving world of technology!
