The ultimate founder-focused roadmap for Toronto Tech Week 2025

This year, Toronto is going all out to support home-grown tech. If you’re a founder attending this year’s Toronto Tech Week, you probably know that which events you attend and how you plan ahead can truly make or break your overall experience. 

Toronto Tech Week isn’t just another series of socials, it’s a launchpad for new connections, partnerships, insights and opportunities to scale. Whether you’re looking to raise, scale, hire or simply learn, the right game plan can make all the difference.

At DMZ, we know what founders need because we work with them every day. That’s why we’ve created a founder-first checklist to help you maximize every minute of Toronto Tech Week.

Your founder’s checklist to getting Toronto Tech Week ready.

Scan your socials.

You’ll be making new connections fast, so make sure your LinkedIn and other public profiles highlight your most recent wins. Pin your company website and key links to the top so people can learn more after they meet you.

Refine your pitch.

Would you buy what you’re selling? Make sure to practice your elevator pitch that communicates what you’re building clearly and confidently.  Bonus points if you have a shareable pitch deck or one-pager you can share with them on the fly! Check out our step-by-step guide to nailing a pitch deck here.

Prepare your calendar.

To get the most out of your week, plan ahead but don’t overpack your schedule. Leave room for impromptu meetings and the kind of unexpected conversations that often lead to big breakthroughs. Think about your goals: Looking to connect with investors or learn from seasoned founders? Your calendar should reflect your priorities. Make sure to check out the full calendar of events. Here are a few we’ve got our eye on:

• TechTO’s Off the Record exclusively for tech founders who are building. They’re sharing behind-the-scenes truths from founders with $30M+ in average revenues. ​​Learn from those who’ve scaled to learn what it really took to get there.
• Together with BDC Thrive Venture Fund, our Women in Tech Breakfast will spotlight women founders who are pushing the boundaries of AI. Leaders from Private AI, Monark and NextGen Sound will share how generative AI is redefining product development, customer acquisition and more. 

Scout out speakers and fellow attendees. 

Know who’ll be in the room before you walk in. You never know who you can bump into. Insightful questions and thoughtful connections go a long way—especially with potential partners or investors. A little research can turn a casual intro into a meaningful conversation that opens doors long after the week wraps.

Be ready to follow up.

What you do after the event is just as important as during. Great conversations deserve more than a forgotten LinkedIn request. Set aside time in the days following to reconnect with the people who stood out: the investor who asked a sharp question, the founder whose journey resonated or the potential customer who showed interest. Pro tip: jot down a few keywords or context after each interaction so your follow-up feels personal, not transactional.

Growth doesn’t happen overnight and neither do the best connections. Toronto Tech Week is your chance to plant the seeds that will fuel your next chapter. Show up curious. Be intentional. And carry that same energy back into your business long after the week wraps.

We’ll see you out there—building, connecting and making moves.

DMZ has your back beyond Tech Week. Our Tech Talk Newsletter shares founder insights, events and opportunities—straight to your inbox. Subscribe at dmz.to/techtalk.