From June 26 to 29, 2023, Toronto’s Enercare Centre hosted the Collision Conference, marking its final year in the city. The event attracted over 36,000 attendees from 118 countries and showcased 1,727 startups across nearly 30 industries .  

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Spotlight on Keynote Speakers

Collision 2023 featured an impressive lineup of speakers, including:

• Geoffrey Hinton: Renowned as the “Godfather of AI,” Hinton shared insights into the future of artificial intelligence. 

• Maria Sharapova: The former Grand Slam tennis champion turned entrepreneur discussed her transition from sports to business. 

• Keily Blair: CEO of OnlyFans, Blair provided perspectives on content creation and digital platforms.

• Frank McCourt: Billionaire businessman McCourt addressed topics related to technology and investment. 

• Max Lytvyn: Co-Founder of Grammarly, Lytvyn spoke about AI in writing and communication. 

• Thomas Dohmke: CEO of GitHub, Dohmke discussed software development and open-source communities. 

• Rebecca Lynn: Co-Founder & General Partner at Canvas Ventures, Lynn shared insights on venture capital and startup growth. 

• Jeff Shiner: CEO of 1Password, Shiner emphasized cybersecurity and user privacy. 

• Juju Smith-Schuster: Super Bowl LVII Champion and NFL wide receiver, Smith-Schuster explored the intersection of sports and technology. 

• Michael Le: Content creator Le discussed digital content trends and audience engagement.  

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Attendee Experiences and Festival Highlights

Participants of Collision 2023 reported a multitude of enriching experiences: 

• Diversity and Inclusion: The conference achieved a milestone with 41% women attendees and 36% women speakers. Notably, 30% of the startups were founded by women, reflecting a commitment to gender diversity in tech . 

• Indigenous Attendee Program: This initiative provided complimentary access to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, aiming to elevate Indigenous business owners and innovators . 

• Startup Engagement: Over 1,700 startups participated, with many engaging in the PITCH competition. Calgary-based entrepreneur Azrah Manji-Savin won with her startup Syzl, which connects food producers and restaurateurs with underutilized commercial kitchen spaces . 

• Economic Impact: Collision 2023 contributed an estimated CA$77 million to Toronto’s economy, bringing the total impact over three years to CA$188 million . 

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Conclusion

Collision Conference 2023 in Toronto was a landmark event that highlighted global tech innovation, diversity, and collaboration. As the conference moves to new locations in the future, its legacy in Toronto will be remembered for fostering connections and driving technological advancement.

For more information and updates on upcoming events, visit Collision’s official website.