Join us for the official kick-off of Innovation Week 2025. techNL CEO Florian Villaumé will share an update on techNL, followed by a panel discussion with local leaders on how governments and ecosystem partners can best support growth in 2026 and beyond. The session will also feature exciting announcements that showcase new opportunities for Newfoundland and Labrador’s tech ecosystem.

Florian Villaumé

CEO, techNL

Johanna Brown

Chair, Board of Directors, techNL; Founder & Principal, Rivet

Randy Billard

President & CEO, Virtual Marine

Jacqueline Lee

CEO, PolyUnity

Adam Keating

CEO, CoLab

Craig Rowe

CEO, ClearRisk

Scaling is the dream — and the danger — for every high-growth company. In this keynote, Dan Shaw shares lessons from leading Fiix through Series A–C rounds to its $380M CAD acquisition by Rockwell Automation. He’ll cut through the hype to show what “scale” really means, how to know when you’re ready, and the landmines that can derail momentum — across people and culture, strategy and operations, and personal growth as a leader. Whether you’re a founder, executive, tech worker, or policymaker, you’ll leave with clear insights on how to apply capital, grow talent, and invest in yourself without breaking what makes a company great. You won’t want to miss this!

Daniel Shaw

Builder

Start your day with a sunrise climb up Signal Hill, St. John’s highest point overlooking the North Atlantic. Led by techNL’s Liam Flanagan, this invigorating hike offers epic views and a fresh perspective to energize the final day of Innovation Week.

Liam Flanagan

Manager, Programs & People, techNL

Generative AI has transformed the path from startup idea to product launch to scale-up. How can founders and ecosystem leaders think differently about growth now that product development and tooling are more accessible than ever? In this keynote, Mohannad El-Barachi, CEO and Co-Founder of no-code automation platform Wrk.com, dives into the new rules of scaling in the age of AI. With more than a decade in venture building, $50M+ raised for Wrk.com, and four years of 300%+ growth at his previous company SweetIQ (acquired in 2017), Mohannad brings hard-earned insights on what it takes to build, fund, and grow companies that last. Don’t miss this chance to learn from an experienced entrepreneur, investor, and community builder.

Mohannad El Barachi

Co-founder and CEO of Wrk.com

Clearco Co-Founder and Dragons’ Den star — has scaled six companies before the age of 35 and helped transform startup funding through Clearco, which has invested $3.2B+ in more than 7,000 companies worldwide. Named to Fortune’s 40 Under 40 and recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, she brings unmatched experience in building disruptive businesses and backing bold entrepreneurs. In this keynote, Michele shares candid lessons on scaling, culture, and innovation — insights that leaders at every stage can use to accelerate growth and embrace change with confidence.

Michele Romanow

Entrepreneur; Dragons’ Den investor; Co-founder & Executive Chair, Clearco

More than a competition — a launchpad for NL tech. The Genesis Pitch (formerly Pitch and Pick) makes its debut on the Innovation Week agenda as Genesis partners with techNL’s flagship event. Five founders will take the stage to compete for over $45,000 in prizes, including a $25,000 top prize and the iconic Pitcher Plant trophy. Building on the legacy of Pitch & Pick, The Genesis Pitch opens the door to more founders with broader eligibility and a bigger platform to compete. By joining Innovation Week, it puts entrepreneurs directly in front of the community, investors, and industry leaders — including Dragons’ Den star Michele Romanow, who will join the judging panel. Free to attend, but separate registration is required for Innovation Week participants. There will be opportunity to network after the competition, stay tuned for social details to follow.