May 18, 2022

The 2022 Investor Showcase: early-stage venture event draws record breaking crowd

The 2022 Investor Showcase was presented by entrepreneurship@UBC and ICICS, the collaborators of HATCH Venture Builder

In a record breaking evening, the 2022 Investor Showcase welcomed over 650 members across our entire ecosystem to come out and support early-stage ventures building solutions to some of the most pressing problems the world faces today.

We were joined by about 300 people in person at UBC Robson Square and another 380+ online, tuning into the event to witness the next generation of entrepreneurs creating positive change across climate solutions and human health, as well as advanced technologies and social impact. The energy in the room was palpable, quickly filling - and overflowing! - our event space to get a glimpse at the entrepreneurs changing the world.

The evening featured 14 ventures and 16 entrepreneurs Ready-to-Raise Seed to Series A rounds pitching in 5 minute rounds followed by lightning mini panel Q&As. The teams in question went through a rigorous application process and pitched in front of our Evaluation Panel in advance of being selected to pitch on stage May 10.

Meet the teams who pitched

Event night

Guests started arriving at 4 pm, eager to meet the ventures and network in advance of the pitches at venture booths and demo displays which included robotic arms and sustainable treats (shoutout Sarcomere Dynamics and Susgrainable!). The evening then began with welcome remarks from entrepreneurship@UBC’s Managing Director, Kari LaMotte, reflecting on her time with entrepreneurship@UBC and her deep commitment to our innovation ecosystem before her departure this May (learn more).

We heard from Professor Rob Rohling, entrepreneur and Director of ICICS, The Institute for Computing, Information and Cognitive, and the collaborators of HATCH Venture Builder, who remarked on the unique nature of HATCH and support network across UBC’s innovation landscape. We then were thrilled to hear from the evening’s Gold Sponsor, Fasken, with firm Partner Ally Bharmal, who spoke about their passion for supporting our vibrant community of early-stage entrepreneurs.

The event was moderated by entrepreneurship@UBC’s Lead Entrepreneur in Residence, Chang Han, and Entrepreneur in Residence, Head of Venture Growth Strategy Michelle Sklar, leading our audience through the rapid pitches and Q&A panels. The Showcase culminated in our People’s Choice Award, naming team Pocketed the winner - congratulations to the team!

Innovation giving us hope for a better future

Throughout the evening, audience members shared comments on the positivity, and hope for the future, as presented by each of the ventures pitching. Their optimism, and efforts in creating a better world, left our community inspired and energized for the work ahead, and the mass potential translating research and innovation has in creating this better world.

We’d like to give a thank you to our sponsors, Fasken, McMillan, RBCx and Life Sciences BC for your support and encouragement of our community (learn more about our Sponsors). Thank you to everyone who came out to support the teams!