The Elevate Festival, one of Canada’s most prominent homegrown tech and innovation festivals, wrapped up in Toronto after three days. Held from Sept. 26 to Sept. 28 at the Meridian Hall, the St. Lawrence Centre, and the Design Exchange in Toronto, the event brought a wave of visionaries, thought leaders, and tech enthusiasts worldwide.

“Canada isn’t an aspiring technology power — Canada has arrived,” co-founder and CEO of Elevate Lisa Zarzeczny. “This year’s festival (united) Canadian innovators and (provided) meaningful opportunities to learn, connect with diverse stakeholders, and exchange ideas centred around our nation’s well-being, sustainability and equity.”

Wes Hall, executive chairman and founder of Wes Hall Investments Inc. and star of the CBC show “Dragons’ Den,” was among the notable speakers. Others included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland and Lisa LaFlamme; 10-time Olympic and world championship sprint medallist Andre DeGrasse sitting down with founder and managing partner of Maverix Private Equity, John Ruffolo to discuss the strategy behind success. There was also a Q&A segment with the chief diversity officer of Meta, Maxine Williams and founder and chair of Thistledown, Fiona McKean. Visit here for a complete list of speakers to date.

“Yesterday was more than just a day; it was a trilogy of poignant moments celebrating my journey to this country 38 years ago — I got to share my story at one of the biggest conferences in North America and with one of the most distinguished groups I’ve ever had the pleasure of dining with,” Hall said in a LinkedIn post.

“It was a fateful opportunity to speak at the Elevate alongside the always-poised Amber Kanwar on my immigration anniversary, culminating in an intimate dinner with titans of industries to announce the launch of a new lending program by Windmill Microlending,” he added.

“Canada has a rich tapestry of diverse cultures, religions, and multicultural communities. This very diversity makes our nation so beautiful alongside its breathtaking landscapes.”

This year’s festival featured 11 content tracks across five stages, including AI, future societies, cybersecurity, the latest trends in gaming, fintech, the future of work, and more. These sessions included one-hour masterclasses, impact tracks, and Elevate Goes Late, a networking and live music event.

A key announcement was made too. Elevate announced an acquisition of the Canadian Innovation Exchange (CIX) and a partnership with MaRS and Kids Help Phone to launch a $2-million innovation challenge aimed at improving youth mental health.

The Elevate Festival first took flight in 2017, with Toronto as its backdrop. Founded by Razor Suleman, a Canadian entrepreneur passionate about technology and innovation, the festival emerged as a response to the growing demand for a platform where Canadian tech talent could shine on a global stage.

Over the years, it quickly gained traction and recognition for its ability to attract top-tier speakers, startups, and tech giants. The festival has grown exponentially in size and influence. It has expanded its scope beyond traditional tech themes to encompass innovation in various sectors, including healthcare, finance, and sustainability.

In the past, attendees had the opportunity to hear from the likes of Elon Musk, the visionary founder of SpaceX and Tesla, and leaders from companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft.