Scaling to Exit: Founders, Investors, and the Realities of Growth

Scaling to Exit: Founders, Investors, and the Realities of Growth
Presented by Vancouver Entrepreneurs Forum (VEF) in collaboration with Fasken

Building and scaling a company is rarely a straight line. Founders face constant pressure to grow quickly, attract investment, navigate uncertainty, and make high-stakes decisions that impact employees, customers, and long-term company outcomes. At the same time, investors and advisors are evaluating what it truly takes to build globally competitive companies from Metro Vancouver.

This VEF event presented in collaboration with Fasken brings perspectives on growth from a founder, investor, and legal expert for a candid conversation about scaling companies in Canada, navigating the realities of growth, and preparing businesses for long-term success and potential exit opportunities.

Through personal stories, operational insight, and practical discussion, speakers will explore the challenges and opportunities founders face as they move from early traction to scaling and sale.

Event Moderator

• Camellia Ho, Partner, Smythe

5:00 – 6:00 PM: OPEN NETWORKING
Connect with entrepreneurs, investors, ecosystem builders, government, academia, and innovation champions from across the region. Light refreshments provided.

6:00 – 6:15 PM: INTRO & WELCOME REMARKS

• Welcome & event introduction
• Partner remarks
• Community announcements

6:15 – 6:20 PM: STARTUP LIGHTNING PITCHES

• 5 presenters will pitch for 100 seconds each
• No questions will be asked
• Apply to pitch here: https://www.vef.org/pitch

6:20 – 7:20 PM: FIRESIDE CHAT
“Scaling to Exit: What Founders Need to Know to Grow”

This fireside chat explores the realities of scaling companies in today’s market, including fundraising, governance, operational growth, acquisitions, exits, and what investors look for in companies positioned for long-term success. Speakers will share lessons learned from building, investing in, advising, and exiting technology companies, along with practical insight for founders navigating growth in the Canadian ecosystem.

This panel includes 10 minutes of time for questions from the audience. 

Speakers:

• Thomas Park, Chief Investment Officer, InBC Investment Corp.
• Aaron Rallo, Founder, Trovia and former founder of TSO Logic (acquired in 2019)
• Moderator: Jon Conlin, Partner, Fasken

7:20 – 8:00 PM: CLOSING REMARKS & EVENT CONCLUSION
A brief networking period will follow. The event concludes at 8pm sharp. 

Who Should Attend

• Founders and startup teams
• Investors and venture capital firms
• Corporate innovation leaders
• Government and economic development organizations
• Accelerators and incubators
• Researchers, faculty, and post-secondary innovation teams
• Professional services firms supporting startups
• Students and emerging entrepreneurs