Last week, I attended Web Summit Vancouver, one of the most talked-about global tech conferences to land in Canada. With over 15,000 people, hundreds of booths, nonstop side events, and enough buzzwords to fill a dozen pitch decks, I expected inspiration, insight, and maybe even a few big connections.

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But truthfully? I left feeling a little underwhelmed.

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Everyone’s Talking About AI… But Saying the Same Thing

The keynote stages were packed with speakers repeating the same message: “AI is the future. We need to use it in our businesses. And we definitely need to regulate it.”

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Important? Yes.

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New? Not really.

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And I can’t tell you how many panels and keynotes I went to that didn’t even talk about the topic at hand. In fact, I remember going to a leadership panel discussion on navigating changing times, and I thought amazing! I speak on this, this is highly relevant in the leadership space.

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One question they asked what do you think of AI, and how should the government regulate it… Nothing was said about leading, and nothing was said about anything else except AI…

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It felt like we were all hearing the same soundbite in different packaging. I was hoping for more depth — real-world case studies, behind-the-scenes insights, and how people are integrating AI in meaningful, measurable ways. 

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But much of the conversation stayed surface-level. In all honesty, I didn’t come away with one strategy, one tool, or one real takeaway that I could leave and apply directly to my business.

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The Startup Scene: Big Ideas, Little Traction

Walking through the startup booths was like stepping into a sea of potential, but with not a lot of product.

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Don’t get me wrong, I love big ideas. I’m an entrepreneur. I get it. But I was surprised by how many of the startups weren’t generating revenue yet. 

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Some didn’t even have an MVP. It felt like a place where concepts go to be pitched, not proven. Not only this, but the Alpha, Beta, and Growth tags were directly related to how much startups had raised money. So any company that hadn’t raised $1 million was in Alpha, and it went higher and higher, which doesn’t make any sense.

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There could be a bootstrapped company generating millions in Alpha but yet was viewed at Web Summit as “just starting” strictly due to raising outside capital, which is hilarious. 

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Web Summit seems to be ideal for:

• Very early-stage tech founders trying to get funding or exposure
  
• Founders looking to connect with VCs or ecosystem players
  
• Larger players scouting talent, trends, and early-stage IP
  
  

But if you're a solopreneur, bootstrapping a business, or already in the trenches building traction? You might not get what you came for.

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The Real Value: People (If You Can Find Them)

There is huge value in events like this, especially in the people you meet. The chance to bump into someone who could become a co-founder, investor, partner, or mentor? That’s gold. And something I do truly believe in. 

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But finding those people amidst the chaos isn’t easy. The official app was helpful, but the number of sessions, booths, and overlapping events made it overwhelming. I often found myself wondering: Where should I be right now? What am I missing?

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Not only was the app filled with literally thousands of options, but 2 days into the even,t my friend I was chatting with there sent me an “unofficial spreadsheet” of one-off events outside of the conference. There were over 120 events for 3 days alone… How can you possibly decide what to go with this much of everything?

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Would I Go Again?

Here’s the honest truth: I paid about $250 CAD by buying my ticket early the year prior. At that price? Worth it for the experience alone.

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At the regular price of $1000+ CAD? I’d think twice, unless I had a clear goal — like fundraising, showcasing a product, or meeting specific players.

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But that could look different for you. By no means do I want to deter you from trying it out and meeting some cool people. Keep in mind, this is just my perspective from attending the event, nothing else.

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Key Takeaways If You're Considering Web Summit:

1. Go with a clear mission — Know who you want to meet or what you want to learn. Otherwise, you’ll get lost in the noise.
   
2. Use the app early — Start booking meetings and bookmarking sessions before you arrive.
   
3. Prepare for chaos — It's a lot. Bring energy, and know that you won't see it all (and that’s okay).
   
4. It’s great for early-stage tech startups or those fundraising — Less so for solo builders focused on traction or growth.
   
5. If you're curious, buy early — The $250 early bird is a steal if you're even thinking of going next year.
   
   

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Conclusion

I went looking for insight and clarity — and found mostly noise and hustle. But in between it all were a few moments of connection and conversation that made me think, Maybe that’s the real reason people keep coming back.

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Would love to hear your experience if you attended, or if you're thinking of going next year — shoot me a message or leave a comment.

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Chris M Wilson