The growth numbers don’t lie: British Columbia’s tech sector is outpacing the provincial economy, employing over 90,000 people who are earning wages 75% above the provincial average.
The upcoming #BCTECH Summit in March isn’t just about celebrating the strides that the tech industry has made in BC: it’s about laying out the future of this crucial industry.
Why BC Is Betting on Tech
For most of its history, British Columbia’s economy leaned heavily on natural resources like forestry, mining and energy. Those industries still matter, but they rise and fall with global commodity prices. A strong tech sector gives the province jobs that aren’t tied to the price of lumber or metals, and that tend to pay well.
That’s why the provincial government has been so closely involved in the summit, rather than leaving it as just another industry trade show. It’s a chance to show investors, companies and young people that BC is a place to build a tech career or a tech company.
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Who’s Taking the Stage
Pat Horgan, VP, manufacturing, development and operations at IBM Canada, is one of many industry leaders who’ll be in attendance at #BCTECH, reinforcing the company’s committed presence in the region. “IBM is introducing advanced cognitive and cloud technologies in pivotal industries in BC and across Canada, including healthcare, financial services, and natural resources.”
JB Straubel, CTO and co-founder of Tesla Motors and Shahrzad Rafati, founder and CEO of BroadbandTV, are among the 200 thought leaders who’ll be speaking at the summit. #BCTECH speakers and panels will touch on technology’s growing role in traditional industries like forestry and mining, as well as entirely new sectors of job-creating innovation in AI, AR, the IoT, and beyond.
That mix of old and new industries is the most interesting thing about the program. Sensors, data analysis and automation can make a mine safer or a forest easier to manage, and BC has deep expertise in both the resource and the technology sides of that work.
Investment and Deal-Making
An Investment Showcase and organized B2B Meetings will round out the offerings at #BCTECH, the largest technology conference in the province.
For start-ups, those are often the most valuable parts of a conference. Talks are useful, but a scheduled meeting with an investor or a potential customer can turn into funding or a first big contract.
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How the Summit Played Out
The 2017 event was a big one. Speaking at what the provincial government called the “sold-out second annual #BCTECH Summit,” with more than 5,000 delegates expected, then-Premier Christy Clark announced plans to increase the number of tech-related graduates and co-op placements in the province.
The summit continued under a new government. The Province hosted the third annual #BCTECH Summit on May 14 to 16, 2018, in partnership with Innovate BC, a provincial Crown agency. There, Premier John Horgan said the sector had grown to over 10,000 companies employing more than 106,000 people, and announced $10.5 million for co-op opportunities and entrepreneurial training for post-secondary students. Around the same time, the province said tech wages were around 85% higher than the BC average, up from the 75% gap cited above.
Vancouver has since added an international stage as well. By 2025, the provincial government was promoting BC’s tech sector at Web Summit Vancouver, with Minister Diana Gibson calling it “the perfect place to demonstrate what we have to offer investors, companies and talent.”
Where the Speakers Went Next
JB Straubel founded Redwood Materials in 2017 and left Tesla to build it in 2019. The company recycles battery components and sells them back to manufacturers, and also makes anode and cathode components for lithium-ion batteries. In 2023, TechCrunch described Straubel as Tesla’s newest board member, bringing him back to the company in a new role.
What It Means for BC Founders
The figures the province cited grew quickly after this article was written, from over 90,000 tech workers to more than 106,000, with a bigger wage premium too. For founders, events like #BCTECH are worth treating as working sessions rather than a day out. The investor showcases and pre-arranged meetings are where the real opportunities usually are, and coming with a clear ask makes the most of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big was British Columbia's tech sector in early 2017?
British Columbia's tech sector employed over 90,000 people, who earned wages 75% above the provincial average.
Who spoke at the 2017 #BCTECH Summit?
About 200 thought leaders were scheduled to speak, including JB Straubel, CTO and co-founder of Tesla Motors, and Shahrzad Rafati, founder and CEO of BroadbandTV. Pat Horgan of IBM Canada was also among the industry leaders attending.
How many people attended the 2017 #BCTECH Summit?
The provincial government described the 2017 event as the sold-out second annual #BCTECH Summit, with more than 5,000 delegates.
Did the #BCTECH Summit continue after 2017?
Yes. The Province hosted the third annual #BCTECH Summit on May 14 to 16, 2018, in partnership with Innovate BC, where Premier John Horgan said the sector had over 10,000 companies employing more than 106,000 people.
What did JB Straubel do after Tesla?
JB Straubel founded Redwood Materials in 2017 and left Tesla to build it in 2019. Redwood recycles battery components and makes materials for lithium-ion batteries, and Straubel later joined Tesla's board.