We just got back from Vancouver — and we’re still buzzing.
Last week, Pathways North co-founders Michelle Brennan and Christopher Germain made their way to Web Summit Vancouver 2026 as part of the summit’s prestigious ALPHA program — a curated showcase of the world’s most promising startups. Held May 11–14 at the iconic Vancouver Convention Centre, this year’s edition drew over 20,000 attendees from around the world, and Pathways North was on the floor with a booth, putting our mission in front of investors, innovators, and potential partners from across the globe.
It was, without question, one of the most energizing experiences we’ve had as a company.
Why Web Summit?
For a team like ours, dedicated to building meaningful pathways for people and communities across the North, staying ahead of what’s coming is not optional — it’s essential. Web Summit Vancouver isn’t just a conference. It’s a collision of ideas, a marketplace of possibilities, and an honest look at where technology is taking us next. Being selected for the ALPHA program meant we weren’t just observers — we were in it, representing northern innovation on a world stage. This year, the conversations were bolder, the stakes higher, and the energy completely infectious.
The Big Themes That Lit Us Up
AI: Beyond the Hype
If there was one message that echoed across every stage and hallway conversation at Web Summit 2026, it was this: the AI era is no longer theoretical. We’re in it. But the most compelling discussions weren’t about what AI can do — they were about what it should do, and who gets to decide.
From real-world deployment challenges to the geopolitics of chip supply chains, the conversations pushed us to think critically about how artificial intelligence integrates into the communities and systems we serve. The industry’s fixation on scale and disruption is giving way to harder, more important questions around trust, sovereignty, sustainability, and human creativity. That’s a conversation Pathways North is ready to be part of.
Data Sovereignty and Indigenous Governance
One of the most meaningful threads running through this year’s summit was the question of who owns data — and who benefits from it. Sessions exploring Indigenous data governance resonated deeply with our work in northern and remote communities. The recognition that data sovereignty is inseparable from community sovereignty felt not just timely, but urgent. We came away with new frameworks, new contacts, and a renewed sense of purpose.
The Future of Talent and Infrastructure
Web Summit also tackled the realities of building in regions that have historically been left behind by the technology economy. Conversations around talent development, digital infrastructure, and bringing innovation to underserved areas spoke directly to the work we do every day. The world is finally catching up to what northern communities have known for a long time: geography should never be a barrier to opportunity.
Creativity, Connection, and What’s Next
From a standout panel on Creativity over Conformity — featuring speakers from OpenAI alongside leaders from British Columbia’s booming creative-tech sector — to late-night roundtables that spilled into the Vancouver waterfront, the summit reminded us that the best ideas come when diverse voices are in the same room. We left with notebooks full of ideas, phones full of new connections, and minds full of possibility.
What We’re Bringing Home
Web Summit wasn’t just an event we attended — it was a launchpad. Having our own booth in the ALPHA startup program meant real conversations with real people: investors asking about our model, entrepreneurs curious about the northern market, and organizations who’d never considered what it takes to build technology solutions in remote and Indigenous communities. Those conversations were gold.
We connected with partners, leaders, and innovators who share our belief that technology should work for people everywhere, not just in major urban centres. We explored new tools and approaches that we’re already thinking about how to adapt for the communities and clients we serve.
The future is being built right now, in real time. And after four days in Vancouver, we can tell you: it’s going to be remarkable.
Stay tuned — there’s a lot more coming from the Pathways North team this year. If you want to hear more about what we learned and how it’s shaping our work, reach out. We’d love to talk.
Maverick Gardner Pathways North is committed to connecting northern communities with the tools, talent, and technology they need to thrive. Learn more at maverickgardner.com.