About Festival
Founded in 2017 as a Canadian non-profit organization, Elevate is known for producing Canada’s most influential tech and innovation event. From its inception, Elevate Festival has been the conduit for bringing together iconic tech leaders, emerging startups, global investors, policymakers, and international media to shine a spotlight on Canadian innovation. Hosted in Toronto, Elevate Festival is where important dialogue and connections take place to help shape the future of the Canadian innovation economy.
Who Attends Elevate Festival
Experience Toronto
Fall in step with Toronto, ranked one of North America's most innovative tech hubs, as you tune in to events and programming that matter to you at Elevate Festival 2025. From Meridian Hall and St. Lawrence Centre by day, to socials in the surrounding area by night, the festival's small-scale footprint will keep you connected and engaged in the heart of the city.
“Elevate will serve as a meeting place wherein discussion will swirl around the solutions to society's greatest challenges.”
Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQs
Q: What is Elevate Festival?
A: Elevate Festival is Canada’s largest homegrown tech and innovation festival uniting world-class innovators and industry leaders who are building a better future. Featuring world-class speakers, ecosystem socials, opportunities to grow your business, and a space to find your people.
Q: Where is Elevate located?
A: Elevate programming will be taking place at multiple venues throughout the city. Daytime programming will be at Meridian Hall and the St. Lawrence Centre for Arts.
Q: When is Festival taking place?
A: Festival will run from October 7 – 9, 2025.
Q: Is Elevate an all ages event?
A: All attendees must be eighteen (18) years of age or older to attend Festival and all related events, unless otherwise stated. Some events may require attendees to be nineteen (19) years of age or older.
Q: How can I volunteer?
A: Festival wouldn’t be possible without our volunteers! We have a variety of exciting opportunities that you can choose from. You can sign up here: https://timecounts.app/elevate
Q: How can I get in touch with someone from the Elevate team?
A: For general inquiries please contact [email protected].
Q: I’m feeling unsafe, who should I speak to?
A: If someone is harassing you or otherwise making you uncomfortable, please notify an Elevate staff member or security. You can also go to the Help Desk in Meridian Hall.
Elevate does not tolerate violence, mistreatment, or harassment — verbal, physical, sexual, or otherwise — towards staff, volunteers, sponsors, guests, presenters, or other attendees at any of our events. Should the comfort or safety of any of our stakeholders be in question, immediate action will be taken.
Ticketing Questions
Q: Where can I buy tickets and what ticket options are available?
A: Tickets can be purchased here.
Q: Can I refund my pass?
A: Elevate Festival Passes are non-refundable, but we’d be happy to help you transfer your pass to a friend/colleague.
If you wish to change the name on your Elevate Festival Pass, you will be able to do so until October 3, 2025 at 5:00 PM (EST) free of charge, after this date you will be unable to transfer your ticket.
Q: Do I need to register for any events within the festival?
A: For the majority of programming you will not be required to pre-register. However, there will be select programming available to Startup Pass holders that will require pre-registration.
Q: I need to make a change to my personal information on my ticket, how can I do this?
A: Any changes to your personal information has to be done through the registration platform (Tito). Check your confirmation email for a link to update/edit information. Changes to personal information can not be made through the Elevate app.
Q: Can I purchase a single day pass?
We do not offer single day passes at this time.
Q: Can you help me get a visa to attend Festival?
A: Elevate will not be liable for the granting of any visas that are required to attend the Festival. It is your sole responsibility to take any visa requirements into consideration. You may request a visa invitation letter once you have purchased a ticket to Festival by completing our request form.
Please note that in the event that an attendee’s visa is not granted, you are not eligible for a refund. At our discretion, we may transfer your ticket to the following year.
Elevate is not liable or responsible for any costs incurred by you attending the event, which includes but is not limited to travel, accommodation, hospitality, and any other expenses. You are solely responsible for your own travel, accommodation, hospitality, and any other expenses required for you to attend the event.
Q: I lost my badge. What do I do?
A: Please visit the registration desks in Meridian Hall to purchase a replacement badge.
Scheduling and Content
Q: Is there an event schedule available?
A: A schedule of events, including the agenda, will be available in mid-August 2025
Q: Who are this year’s speakers?
A: We are proud to welcome some of the world’s most iconic, influential, and innovative movers and shakers to the stage. Our list of speakers can be found here.
Accessibility & Inclusion
Q: I have accessibility requirements, who can I reach out to?
A: Elevate is committed to making Festival accessible and welcoming for everyone. Please let us know of any accessibility accommodation(s) you need to enjoy your Festival experience by emailing us at [email protected]. While we will do our very best to accommodate all requests, requests made after September 5, 2025 may be more difficult to accommodate due to time constraints.
Our full Accessibility Plan can be found here.
Q: Will there be ASL interpreters and/or captioning at Festival?
A: Live captioning will be available through the Festival app, within each session page. All pre-recorded videos will be captioned ahead of time.
On-demand videos, post Festival, will also be available with captions.
ASL interpreters will not be on site this year. We are always happy to accept requests for interpreters up to 3 weeks before Festival.
Q: Are service animals welcome at the Elevate Festival?
Yes, service animals are welcome at all Festival venues.
Q: May I have a support person accompany me to Festival?
A: Yes, support persons are allowed to accompany individuals with disabilities and do not need to purchase a ticket. Should you require this accommodation, please email us at [email protected] and we can register your support person.
Q: Are there printed schedules and maps available?
A: Yes, printed schedules and venue maps will be available at the Help Desk in Meridian Hall should anyone need them.
Q: Are there assistive listening devices available?
Yes, assistive listening devices are available at Meridian Hall and St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. Please go to the Help Desk in Meridian Hall or connect with an Accessibility Volunteer. You will need to leave a piece of ID while you use the device.