PITCH winner announcement

Cura Crowned PITCH Champion at Web Summit Vancouver 2026: Innovation for Global Impact

The Web Summit Vancouver 2026 PITCH competition, sponsored by KPMG, concluded with its winner announcement. Over 1100 startups participated globally. The rigorous competition began with 35 early-stage companies in group rounds on Tuesday, narrowing to 10 semi-finalists, and finally three finalists pitching today.

Before the official winner, audience votes were revealed. Cura led with 46%, followed by Drive Hockey Analytics at 35%, and Deal Stack AI with 19%. Co-Host Casey Lau noted the frequent divergence between audience and judges’ opinions, adding suspense to the final decision.

Mr. George Hayes, KPMG Private Leader, shared the judges’ deliberations. He praised all competitors for their effort in conveying their vision within the challenging three-minute format. For Deal Stack AI, judges found its generational momentum interesting but sought clarity on competitive differentiation.

For Cura, Mr. Hayes highlighted its potential for “products that are going to change the world” and its contribution to “social economic good.” Judges recognized Cura’s robust technology, intellectual property, patents, and strong team backing, including its association with UBC, fostering an ecosystem for success.

Discussing Drive Hockey Analytics, Mr. Hayes acknowledged Adam’s strong presentation, appealing to the Canadian love for hockey. Judges considered aspects like data versus wearables, noting the competitive market and high demand within its sector.

Mr. Hayes emphasized the difficulty of the judges’ deliberation, given the high quality of all presentations. He personally leaned towards Cura, citing its potential for significant impact on communities and the world as a key factor that resonated deeply with him.

With palpable anticipation, Co-Host Casey Lau announced the PITCH champion of Web Summit Vancouver 2026. After a dramatic pause, Cura was declared the triumphant winner, prompting enthusiastic applause and congratulations from the audience and hosts, marking a significant moment for the innovative startup.

Serena from Cura expressed her fantastic feelings about the win. She attributed their success to learning from her co-founder’s previous experience in Doha, focusing on specific judging criteria. Serena noted that Cura had matured significantly as a company and achieved many milestones since their last participation.

Looking ahead, Serena outlined Cura’s immediate plans to return to Calgary. There, they will focus on commissioning their mini pilot, ensuring its full operational status. This crucial step will enable their team to continue scaling their innovative technology effectively, driving future advancements.

Mr. Hayes extended his congratulations to Cura, acknowledging their amazing support team. Co-Host Casey Lau concluded the PITCH event by commending all finalists for their courage and effort. He emphasized that while only one company claimed the title, all participants conquered the stage, showcasing remarkable innovation.